As the chancellor of the European Federation walked into the small hideout, which had a spectacular view of the Neighagra falls, he didn't need to wait long before the old man fishing in the opposite direction greeted him.
"Figured your goons at the BND will find me sooner or later," the old man said, "how are the ponies treating you, Herr Schmidt?"
"Cut the bullshit, Wolf. You already know why I'm here." Schmidt sighed.
Markus Wolf put down the rod and stood up to face the chancellor. "I wouldn't have known in a million years, chancellor. Retirement has been quiet for me. Plus, it's a nice view here."
"Retirement? A man of your expertise? Come on, you know better than I do that there is never retirement in this business." Schmidt persuaded, "look, I know we would strangle each other alive back in the day, but as much as I hate you, the truth is that we need your...expertise, to say the least."
"And why's that?" The spymaster asked.
Schmidt took a folder from his assistant and passed it to Wolf.
"The European Federation is now reorganizing and shuffling its cards," the chancellor explained, " We still need a foreign intelligence unit."
Markus flipped open the files, "And work under that unicorn emperor? You really should have taken your medications."
"Desperate times, desperate measures. Plus, we do have something new that may be up your alley."
Wolf raised his eyebrows while reading the report.
"...I see why you think I will agree to be on board now." the spymaster said. "Training rebels to tap some unsuspecting minister's phone isn't going to be hard; you and I both know how your predecessor went down."
"Can you not talk about that like a medal of honor? The Stasi is not exactly the most reputable agency of the DDR, and neither are you the most cherished man in Europe."
"If you wanted me back this bad, at least have the common courtesy to call us das Ministerium für Staatssicherheit."
"Mischa, do I have to remind you that all it takes is for me to report what you even did when you were head of the HVA to the princesses, and you are getting a one-way ticket to life imprisonment?" Schmidt's voice got louder.
Markus fell silent after hearing that as he put down the folder on the log he was fishing on.
Schmidt picked up the file and said, "If you are not doing this for the sake of me or Germany, at least think of the enslaved ponies you can save with your expertise. Aren't you a proud member of the SED? What happened? Did your red beliefs get left behind when you joined the MfS?"
"It was a fucking war, damn it!" Markus argued, "and it's over! Everything! the SED, the NVA, the MfS, even the pact! "
Schmint grabbed Wolf by his collar and shouted furiously, "You're just going to watch as those fucking slavers cause more family tragedies as you hide in this place as if you weren't a spymaster ruining countless lives and families just a few years before?"
Markus tried to say something, but the words got stuck in his throat. He could have argued how many lives the CIA ruined alongside the BND, but he couldn't even say a single word as if he was mute.
"...I guess you are right," Markus muttered.
"Then do something to redeem yourself!" Schmidt let go of the spymaster.
After a minute of silence, Markus finally agreed.
"You win, Herr Chancellor. Give me a minute to pack up." Markus sighed, "at least promise me I won't have to work with the SÄPO."
"I can't promise that, Mischa." Schmidt replied, "But we will try to keep your photos out of public view."
"Good," Markus said as he lit a cigarette, "then we have a job to do."
"And for the record, I still hate you."
"The feeling's mutual, chancellor."
.
.
.
In his new dimly lit office, Wolf couldn't help but smile as he held his lit cigar.
Of course, Schmidt and his cabinet told him no mass surveillance on everyone other than designated enemies; he knew he would have to wear shackles for this encore of a show. Wolf didn't mind, though; the EIS shall be his new life's work, or in other words: the new Hauptverwaltung Aufklärung.
Markus Wolf thought of himself as a revolutionary, and he intended to liberate the enslaved population of the changeling lands, but the revolution will need to be secured; the enemies are everywhere, and to forgive them is not his duty nor his obligation. He knows his job very well...
Finding them and sending them straight to the depths of hell.