DEFEAT. 014 – On the Reich-Hand Side

[DEFEAT. is Rendar Frankenstein’s truest attempt at fiction.   Presented in weekly episodes, the novella tells the tale of Daryl Millar – a hero who dies at the intersection of pop culture, science-fiction, war epic, and fantasy]

[translated from German]
17 Oktober 1944
Hurtgenwald

Father,
Up until this point I have wholly hearted treated the Hitler Adolf’s plans as the gospel and felt secure. Every mission I have been on has been a most successful triumphant. In the last week alone I have killed ten Amerikans myself. They are swift and dutiful, surely wishing to derail our plans for the Ardennes Offensive. But we are well-minded and well-suited; with my 9mm Luger the Amerikans are but targets of practice.

It is the perfect weapon with which their ideologies can be blown to death whispers.

Even so, there is something in the air that tells me all is no longer perfect for the Fuhrer’s visions. Battle has been consistent as of late and I know not whether I can may return to home alive. We shoot the enemy over and over but they do not seem to desire stopping.

It is not exactly like the kamikazes of our allies, though — those Japponese know they are going to die. These Amerikans are supposedly willing to greet death, but most do not understand when their time is at hand. They believe they can live forever and yet act as though staring down the eyeballs of mortality is no obstacle. Forgive me if I sound weakness, but I have felt the tragedy of misunderstanding life & death as I watched the soul escape from the bodies of men I have shot.

Gottfluch es. Why do they even bother with us? Shouldn’t they go over to the Japan and more focus upon warring Pacific? Fire and brimstone was rained upon their Hawaii by Lands of the Risen Sun and yet now they come to Germany for war? I laugh to myself, Father, thinking how much easier it would be if we could just fight the stinking Brits and the starving Russians. Of course, of course, if only life was always perfect I should never have to write letters fearing that it may be my last attempt at correspondence.

If this is my last letter, know that I send my wishes and regards. I will do everything in my power to return home. Tell mother and Piotr that I send my love. Take care of them.

From the War.

With Love,
Lukas Lang