Meeting in Cologne

[Deity]

Heisenberg Station was never quiet not really. Even in its calmer hours, there was always that low hum of machinery, voices bleeding into one another, deals being made in corners no one looked at twice.

Krüger noticed it all the moment he stepped off the docking ramp.

He didn’t arrive like a warlord, nor like a man trying to impress. No escort, no spectacle. Just a dark coat, worn but clean, Unioner markings subtle enough to be recognized by those who knew what to look for and ignored by those who didn’t.

A diplomat, not a threat.

At least, not openly.

The message from station dispatch had already come through by the time he cleared customs. Time, place. Efficient. Gallian.

He made his way to the bar without rushing. Observing. Measuring. Faces, posture, who watched too long and who pretended not to. Old habits ones you don’t lose in Unioner space, not if you want to live long enough to matter.

Then he saw him.

Far table. Alone. Relaxed, but not careless.

Krüger approached without hesitation, pulling the chair across from Timothée just enough to sit without scraping it loudly across the floor.

He set a small data-slate on the table inactive, for now then looked up.

A brief pause.

A measured nod.

Monsieur Meunier, I presume.

His tone was calm. Human. Not rehearsed.

I appreciate you arranging this. Saves us both from another week of talking in circles over comms.

A faint glance around the room, then back to him.

You’ve chosen a good place. Neutral enough… and loud enough that no one listens too closely unless they’re paid to.

A slight shift forward, resting his forearms on the table.

No titles, if you don’t mind. Friedrich is fine.

A beat.

So

A small, almost tired smile.

Let’s start simple. You’ve seen us in Cologne, Zurich… Champagne. You’ve heard things, I’m sure.

His eyes held steady.

What is it you think the Unioners are doing here?

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THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's outlawed trade unions, determined to take the underworld for themselves.)

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