The Pappenheim March
The Sarajevo Station
Archduke Franz Ferdinand's car stopped at the Sarajevo Station where he was greeted by General Oskar Potiorek and the other important Austrian officers and men attending to the motorcade. Oskar gave the Archduke a map of the intended route for the motorcade to travel, the same map that the Blackhand got a hold of. As the Blackhand prepares for their attempt to kill the Austrian Archduke and heir, the Austrians prepared for their rendevous with history.
"Mein dearest Archduke, its an honor too meet you in person finally," says a happy and slightly zealous General Oskar Potiorek.
"General Potiorek," begins Archduke Franz Ferdinand, "I was expecting a man of your honor and ability to be a little bit, older." Franz Ferdinand pats the General on the back and begins to laugh. He points over to his wife exiting the car with the assistance of Lt. Leopold von Ruth. "General, my wonderful wife Empress Sophie von Hohenberg, the lady of my life. The reason why I get up and live for every new day."
"And may I say she is lucky to have a man like you. We've all heard the stories of what you plan to do with the many minorites when your the Kaiser of Osterreich. Hopefully the people of the reich realize your genuine greatness and love towards all."
"I was however expecting more policemen on the streets."
The Police Commissioner steps forward, "That's my fault your majesty, most of the police forces don't have a parade uniform. I didn't want them too make the appearence be lack luster. They're lining the outskirts of the city, currently no one enters or leaves until your tour of Sarajevo is safely completed."
"And do you really think the people of Bosnia hate me? They don't even know me. And by the way the people reacted this morning on the ride over, they love me."
General Potiorek introduces himself to Empress Sophie, "My dear lady, its an honor. Your husband has told me everything about you."
"Now did he, I didn't know he only had about one minute of stuff too tell others about me," Sophie says with a smile.
General Potiorek walks over to several Police dectatives and officers, "Spread yourselve's out evenly in the motorcade, nothing can go wrong here. Understood?" The officers replied with a solid yes. However three of the seven men entered the first car of the motorcade, something that was not supposed to happen as the rest of cars wouldn't have sufficient numbers of well-trained police officers to react to a crises moment.
"Your majesty, if you wish the motorcade will be leaving shortly."
"General Potiorek, this is my loyal bodyguard and friend, Leopold von Ruth. He is the only Imperial Guard member with us here today. Which car will we getting into general?"
"The second car, you, your wife, your bodyguard and myself along with the driver. I'll be in the backseat with you and your wife, the driver and your young bodyguard in the front."
"How many cars will be in the motorcade? Seven?"
"Nein, only six."
"And six is perfectly fine. My dear Sophie please enter the second car from the front, we'll be leaving shortly. General, Commissioner, everyone. Thank-you and may God smile upon this historical moment. Today the Habsburg Empire takes a turn for the better."
"The Royal Hussars will line the sides of our motorcade," says General Potiorek with a smile, "my treat for you your majesty. A good parade can't have the vaunted KuK Hussars not present, can it?"
"Ofcourse not general." Archduke Franz Ferdinand and General Potiorek begin to walk towards the car where Lt. von Ruth and Sophie are already in. The Austrian motorcade gets ready too move, the rest of the soldiers and officers enter their cars. The Hussars mount their horses and begin to line the side of the mighty motorcade.
"This will truly be remarkable your majesty," says Lt. von Ruth back to Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the back seat, "June 28, 1914 is a day the Austrian Empire will never forget."
"Herr Oberst! You may begin," shouts General Potiorek to the lead car which begins to slide slowly forward thus beginning the journey of the Austrian motorcade. "Your majesty, trust me when I tell you this, you will not be disappointed for coming down here to Sarajevo on this day."
"And for your sake general I hope so," Franz Ferdinand says with a laugh. "My dear Sophie may our children smile upon our decision to come here to Sarajevo on this day."
"Don't worry about the children Franz, they're in good hands under Colonel Strauss and Dannecker."
The sun over Sarajevo was shinning bright this morning. An eagle circled the sun three times and flew off. The motorcade was off to have their precious date with infamy. Inside the car the Archduke and his wife were having a wonderful time. The people lining the streets of Sarajevo were cheering and full of applause as the Archduke's car passed the streets where they were waiting to have their chance to see the future ruler of Austria-Hungary. The Crown Prince graciously waved back and the words on the streets were: 'there goes Franz Ferdinand and his wife, aren't they wonderful.'
As the car passed a corner a young Serb dressed in black looks up and see's the Archduke and his car in plain site of himself. He clinches a pistol inside his jacket and takes a deep breathe and begins to trek slowly forward with his finger on the trigger...