Chapter 10: The raid and Showdown
Sweetie Belle was sleeping with Marie. They woke up when someone gently shook them.
“Hello, Bryman.”
“Sean ordered me to take you to the Belle. Their owners the Rousseau’s are nice people. You will like it there.”
“Okay, let’s go,” Marie said to him.
At the Belle, they were greeted by the Rousseau’s. “Hello and welcome in the La Belle Du Nuit how can we help?” Ludivine asked polity.
“Hello, Madam Rousseau. Those are friends of Sean. They need a place to stay.”
“Oui, no problem. We know who they are. You can stay here as long as you like. And you are Sweetie Belle, right?”
“How did you know that?”
“We overheard a conversation of Franz and Heinz. And you are a cute filly, you know that?” Sweetie Belle blushed.
“Thank you.”
“Gaspard, would you so nice to bring them to their rooms?”
“Yes, my dear.”
“I think it is better if we go back on patrol to avoid suspicion. Goodbye.” Franz said as he left with Heinz.
Marie noticed that Sweetie Belle sobbed quietly. “Sweetie Belle, is something wrong? You can tell me everything.”
“It’s my fault that you got into this at the slaughterhouse.”
“Why should it your fault?” Eva asked surprised.
“B-because the Gestapo t-threatened to d-deport you if I would not give them information’s about the resistance. Please, I didn’t want this to happen!” She cried her heart out and buried her head into the pillow of the bed in the backroom.
Marie sat down next to her. “Sweetheart, look at me.” She looked at Marie with tear filled eyes and sobbed. “This wasn’t your fault. If I was you, I had done the same thing to protect you. And I’m not mad at you. You’re too young to resist such pressure. You did the right thing to protect us.”
“Sweetie Belle, you are your best friend. And you will always be no matter what happens,” Jules and Lilly spoke together.
“Sweetie Belle, you should know when I and my wife met you; we closed you in our heart after you told us your story. And I promise we will protect you.”
“R-really, you’re not mad at me? You forgive me?”
“Of course.” They all did a group hug.
“That’s better.” Marie wiped a tear out of Sweetie Belle’s eye. Jules and Lily had an Idea. They tickled Sweetie Belle until she was lying on the bed trying to catch her breath.
“Hey my favorite song is on. Do you want to dance?” Tom asked when the band played Koop - Koop Island Blues.
They danced. “May I have this dance?” Jules asked. Sweetie Belle then danced with him. Her hooves in his hands. It was a nice and wonderful dance.
Suddenly they heard that the Door was kicked open and Soldiers walked in.
“Uh-oh. Quick, hide the kids, Marie!” Eva shouted when she saw the Soldiers.
“Yes.”
Marie hid herself and the kids in Sean’s room. “For the love of god! These people are unarmed!” Vittore screamed in terror. The Kids cowered in fear in Marie's arms when they heard the gunshots and the screams of agony.
A terror Soldier kicked the Door open. He aimed his MG at Marie. “Please don’t shoot,” She pleaded.
The Soldier stepped aside to reveal a Terror officer. “Guten Tag, Frau Belmond. I’m sorry for the mess, but it was necessary so send the resistance a message.”
“Please, don’t kill us.”
“Don’t worry about that, I have strictly orders to let you alive. Kommandant Dierker wants to talk with you after the race is over. Now if you would come with us.”
Marie knew she had to obey to protect the kids. Her faith that she would survive this was very low however.
Sean drove as fast as he could after he heard of the raid. Inside the Belle, he saw many dead people.
“Vittore!”
“Sean…*cough*. You’re alive. They… took the Kessler’s *cough*.”
“It’s alright, Vittore.”
"Santos… *cough*. He was helping them. Must… warn the others…”
“I will. Just as soon as we get you outta here.”
“*cough* Sean! ... My… Son…” Then Vittore died in Sean arms. He was burning in anger.
There was another cough.
“Eva!”
“Sean… *cough* Listen… They took Marie and the kids *cough* The Gestapo… forced Sweetie Belle to help them. You must… *cough* warn Franz and Heinz…”
“I will as soon as possible, Eva.”
“Tell Marie… that she takes care of my Children.” She died from her wounds. Her husband was already dead. Sean wasted no time to warn the others.
Inside the Eifel Tower, Marie and the kids were brought to Dierker.
“Hello Miss. Belmont. Sorry for the mess but I had to set a sign.”
“Why? WHY?! You killed innocent people and their parents!” Marie was in fury.
“Innocent? No. They all were members of the resistance. Their parents were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Since your daughter was very helpful for us, I will show mercy for her, her friends and you.”
“But your men almost executed us!”
“It was a misunderstanding. I was about to abort it anyway after I heard about this. Everyone who is serving us will be rewarded,” He replied cold to Marie.
“Sir! The whole City rebelling! We can’t win!” a soldier reported.
“That was the wrong answer.” Dierker threw him off the roof. “You’re coming with me.” He grabbed Sweetie Belle and restrained her.
“Mommy!” She cried out before Dierker took her upstairs.
After the race, Franz and Heinz were separated. Heinz was sent to the Eifel Tower to aid Dierker. Franz was worried. The explosion started an uprising and he heard about the raid. A Car stopped next to him.
“Get in Franz; we have still people to safe!” Sean shouted. He got in.
“Marie and the kids were brought to the Eifel Tower where Dierker has set up a temporary command post. Rumor has it, that he lost his mind.”
“Then let’s go!”
The streets were a warzone. Buildings were on Fire, Explosions everywhere and Resistance fighters were having gunfights with Soldiers.
At the Eifel Tower they saw how brutal the Uprising was. “It’s a warzone.”
“An uprising. This was Luc’s plan all along… to help the people of this city find the courage to fight back.”
“The Resistance will be slaughtered if they fight like this.” Franz watched in terror.
“They no longer have a leader.”
“They have a leader. I and Sean are looking at her.”
“But… I don’t know if I…”
“Yes you can. Your people needs you now, Veronique.”
“But what about Dierker?”
“Leave Dierker to us.” Franz cocked his rifle.
“Sean! I thought we’d have more time… I wanted to tell you … that…” Sean kissed her.
“Tell me later.” He leaved with Franz. It rained.
They heard piano music. It sounded like I'm feeling good. A scream came and a Soldier fell from the Tower to the ground. Then a second. And a third one.
On the second floor, a dying Soldier warned them. “He… he’s killing everyone!” Everywhere were dead Soldiers.
“Looks like we missed the party, Franz.”
At the bar a woman pleaded for her life. “I am begging you! Let me go!” The Gestapo General shot her and laughed. The laugher turned into screaming and he shot himself. In the bar, Soldiers and officers were crying and were drinking. A Gestapo General was playing the piano.
“They’re upstairs.” He wasn’t even looking at Sean and Franz. They went upstairs.
“Jesus…this place is a morgue.” Sean commented and spotted a Wehrmacht officer that tried to kill himself by playing Russian roulette, but failed every time.
“Keep tryin, mate. You’ll get it right eventually.”
Marie was sitting with Jules and Lilly on a couch. She hugged them tightly to comfort them. “Marie, you’re alive!”
“Franz!” She hugged him.
“Where’s Sweetie Belle?”
“Dierker has her.”
“We will take care of him.” Sean drew a Raum pistol.
They took the elevator to the Observation Deck. Heinz was on his knees fearing for his life. Sweetie belle was restrained and had to watch everything.
“Your failure is my failure. My disgrace is yours. The punishment is death.” He shot him.
“Heinz! Nein!”
Alerted by this, Dierker turned around to shoot and let out an animal snarl. He was out of ammo. Sean used this to talk. “This just isn’t your Day.” Dierker just laughed maniacal.
“You were the only one who ever escaped. It is fitting… That you should be the one…”
“I won’t argue with that.”
“One day, history will thank us for what we have done… Holding back the mongrel hordes while you people cowered in our shadow. You could never understand the burden of my duty.”
“Killin’ you could never make up for what I’ve lost. My friends’ still be dead, and I’ll still have to live with the things I done.”
Dierker laughed again. “Is that why you are here? Did you think that by killing me you could wash the blood from your own hands?” Again he laughed. “That’s tragic. We are going to hell, aren’t we, Irishman?”
“Maybe. But you’ll get there before me.”
Sean and Franz wanted to shoot him, but couldn’t as they saw how Sweetie Belle was scared. Before they could do something, Dierker jumped off the Eifel Tower to his death.
Franz looked after Sweetie Belle. “Did he hurt you?”
“N-no but I was afraid I was going to die after he killed all these men!” she cried.
“Shh, it’s over now.” He walked to Heinz corpse. “You were a good Soldier and a good friend.” He closed his eyes.
Sweetie Belle and Franz took the elevator down. “Sweetie Belle, you’re alright!” Marie was glad. They hugged each other. Sean joined them and took his cap off.
“I’m so sorry to tell you that Eva and Tom died at the raid. But Eva wanted that you took care of her children.”
“I know. I had baby sited them when she was at work.” She comforted them.
”Sean, Veronique, I am sorry for your loss. I never wanted this to happen. Please forgive me.” Sweetie Belle cried.
“We’re not mad at you. Unlike other collaborators, you’re only did it to protect your friends.” Sean ruffled her mane and left with Veronique.
Before anyone could react, they were all surrounded by a yellow aura that overpowered their senses.