Chapter 335 - 118: Choosing a Side

Chapter 335: Chapter 118: Choosing a Side

"I’m Lech Walesa." Walesa asked bluntly, "You say you want to help us? A man from East Germany wants to help the Polish opposition? You think I’d believe that?"

"You don’t have to believe me, but you can listen to my proposal," Werner said. "Mr. Walesa, I know you’re negotiating with the government, but you’re at a stalemate. The government refuses to recognize the Solidarity Union, and you refuse to disband. If this continues, it can only end in bloodshed."

"Then we’ll bleed," Walesa said. "Poles aren’t afraid of shedding blood."

"But bloodshed won’t solve the problem," Werner said. "Even if you win and the government collapses, do you think the Soviet Union will just sit back and watch? Don’t forget Prague in 1968. The tanks will come, and then everyone will be finished."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense.

Walesa’s supporters stared angrily at Werner, some already clenching their fists.

Frank’s hand tightened on the grip of his gun.

But Werner continued, "I have a suggestion. Some of you here are the people the government is most eager to eliminate. Instead of letting them risk staying in Poland, why not send them to West Germany? There, they can continue to speak out for Poland’s freedom, and they’ll be safer. Moreover, they can build a support network in the West, raise funds, and rally international public support."

"You want our people to run away?" Walesa sneered. "Do you think we’re cowards?"

"It’s not running away, it’s a strategic relocation," Werner said. "Mr. Walesa, a revolution doesn’t happen overnight. Some are suited for fighting on the front lines, while others are suited for providing support from the rear. The people who go to West Germany can raise funds for you, contact the international media, and establish channels for foreign aid. This isn’t running; it’s a smarter way to fight. And I can help you with the arrangements, providing funds and supplies."

The room fell silent. Everyone looked at Walesa, waiting for his reaction.

Walesa stared at Werner for a long time before finally saying, "What do you want in return?"

"I want you to remember that I helped you," Werner said. "In the future, if Poland becomes free, if you come to power, remember that today, an East German named Werner Betelich supported you in your most dangerous hour."

Walesa laughed, but his smile was somewhat bitter. "You certainly think far ahead."

"I’m just investing in the future," Werner said.

Walesa was lost in thought for a long time. Finally, he extended his hand. "I don’t know if you’re sincerely helping us or if you have ulterior motives. But if you can really help, we accept. However, Werner Betelich, if you deceive us, if you sell our people out to the secret police, I swear, I will hunt you down to East Berlin and kill you."

Werner shook his hand. "I won’t deceive you."

They talked for two hours.

Werner explained the process for the political prisoner exchange in detail, and Walesa drew up a list with fifteen names on it.

When they left the apartment, Frank’s face was pale.

"Werner, do you have any idea what you just did?" he said in a low voice. "You just made a deal with an anti-government organization!"

"Frank, you heard and saw everything. Do you think those workers can be suppressed? How long do you think the Polish Government can last? All of Eastern Europe is shaking. This isn’t a coincidence."

"So what?"

"So what?" Werner stopped and looked at him. "Frank, think about it. If one day, and that day will come, these people take power, and they remember you helped them, how will they treat you? Now think about the alternative: you stick to the end, stubbornly defending a system doomed to collapse, and end up being purged. Who will be there to save you then?"

Frank was silent.

"I’m giving you a choice," Werner said. "You can go back right now and report everything you saw today to Von Brown. I’ll be investigated, probably get in trouble, but I have ways of getting out of it. And you? You’ll continue being a Stasi agent, continue spying on people, arresting people, and ruining people’s lives until the day the system collapses, and you go down with it."

"And the other choice?"

"The other choice is, you turn a blind eye," Werner said. "When you file your report about today, just say we met with people from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Trade and discussed normal trade cooperation. As for Gdansk, as for the Solidarity Union, you saw nothing. In return, I promise that if that day ever comes, I’ll help you."

Frank’s fists clenched again. He was struggling.

Finally, he took a deep breath. "Damn it."

Werner knew he had made his decision. He clapped him on the shoulder. "Let’s go. We’re heading back to Warsaw."

The car drove back toward Warsaw as the sun set, dyeing all of Poland in gold and crimson.

************

It was late at night when they returned to Warsaw.

The hotel receptionist handed Werner a note left by Krzysztof.

"Tomorrow, ten in the morning, Ministry of Foreign Trade. Someone wants to see you."

Werner smiled.

The next morning, Werner and Frank arrived punctually at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Trade.

It was a gray government building, with soldiers armed with live ammunition standing guard at the entrance.

Krzysztof was waiting for them at the door. "Follow me. The minister wants to see you."

"The minister?" Werner was a little surprised.

"Yes, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Alexander Kornienko," Krzysztof said in a low voice. "He’s very interested in your proposal."

The minister was a man of about sixty, with graying hair and a crisp suit, sitting behind his desk like a statue.

"Comrade Schmidt, please sit." The minister’s German was heavy with an accent. "I heard about your proposal from Krzysztof. Very creative."

"Thank you." Werner sat down. "Comrade Minister, I know the Polish Government is in a difficult situation right now. But I believe this political prisoner exchange can help you alleviate pressure and earn foreign currency at the same time."

"Can you guarantee the West German Government will accept?" the minister asked.

"I can," Werner said. "I have direct contact with the West German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They’ve always wanted to buy out dissidents in Eastern Europe. If Poland is willing to release some people, West Germany will definitely be willing to pay."

They talked for an hour and finally reached a preliminary agreement. The minister promised to report it to his superiors and push for the plan’s approval.

Leaving the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Werner felt completely at ease. He had established both of his channels in Poland: on the government side, he had Krzysztof and the minister; on the Solidarity Union side, he had Walesa’s promise.

As the plane took off, Werner took one last look at Warsaw through the window.

The city was still in turmoil, but he knew that what was brewing here wasn’t just a strike, but a storm that would change the fate of Eastern Europe.

Frank suddenly spoke up from beside him. "Werner, about this trip to Gdansk... I won’t report the details to Von Brown."

Werner turned his head and looked at the Stasi agent.

"Why?"

"Because I’ve been thinking about what you said," Frank said. "If that day really comes... I hope you’ll remember that I helped you, too."

Werner smiled. "I’ll remember, Frank."

The plane broke through the clouds, and sunlight streamed in.

**********

「By the shore of Lake Geneva, March 1981.」

A chill lingered in the spring air.

Werner sat at an outdoor table at a lakeside café, watching the fountain in the distance.

A column of water shot into the sky, refracting a rainbow in the sunlight before crashing back down, sending up countless droplets.

"Your coffee, sir." A waiter brought him an espresso.

Werner checked his watch. There were still fifteen minutes until the appointed time.

He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. The jolt of nicotine relaxed him slightly. ’This meeting is too important. I have to be perfect.’

Two months earlier, Reagan had been officially inaugurated as President of the United States. The former Hollywood actor had immediately taken a hardline stance, calling the Soviet Union an "evil empire" and announcing a massive increase in military spending.

As a Transmigrator, Werner of course knew that Reagan’s strategy would succeed.

In the next decade, the Soviet Union would collapse under the dual pressures of an arms race and economic hardship.

And he had to be on the right side of this historical turning point.

’It’s not because I agree with the United States, nor because I believe in any Western values or human rights ideals.’

’I just want to ride the tide of history and not get crushed.’

’Just like I spent the last twenty years making money within the East German system, it’s now time to prepare for a shift.’

’After the Two Germanys reunify, those tied too closely to the old regime will be purged. But with backing from the United States, the situation would be completely different.’

’The United States will have enormous influence in a unified Germany. A single word from them could transform an East German official from an "accomplice of the regime" to a "hero who promoted reconciliation."’

’That’s what I need—not money, but a protective umbrella for the future.’

"Mr. Betelich."

Werner looked up.

The newcomer was a man of about thirty, dressed in a dark gray suit and wearing black-rimmed glasses. He looked like a university professor.

But Werner knew this man was the CIA’s station chief for Eastern Europe, codename "Charlie."