I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

Von Brown took the list.

The list contained more than twenty names, each with detailed notes—who supported radical reform, who was just a fence-sitter, and who could potentially be turned.

"Werner, you've done well." Von Brown stood up, walked over to Werner, and clapped him firmly on the shoulder. "Just last week, the Director was asking how our intelligence gathering in the Czech Republic was progressing. This list of yours couldn't have come at a better time."

"It's my duty to serve the country," Werner said humbly.

"By the way, there's a meeting next week." Von Brown returned to his desk and took a document from a drawer. "It's about strengthening the surveillance of intellectuals. The Director specifically requested your attendance."

Werner's heart skipped a beat.

An internal Stasi meeting—this meant his rank was being elevated again.

"I will be there on time."

Walking out of Stasi Headquarters, Werner took a deep breath.

The sun was about to set, and the television tower in Alexanderplatz cast a long shadow in the twilight.

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

「West Berlin, three days later.」

The air in the phone booth was so stuffy it was hard to breathe. Werner inserted a coin and dialed the familiar number.

"Hello?" Werner's voice came from the other end.

"It's me," Werner said. "Is this a good time?"

"One moment." Footsteps sounded from the other end, followed by a door closing. "Alright, I'm clear now. What's the important intel?"

"East Germany's Stasi is going to increase surveillance on intellectuals," Werner got straight to the point. "There's an internal meeting next week. The Director himself will be presiding."

The line was silent for two seconds. "Are you sure?"

"I was invited to attend," Werner said. "Werner, this is no small matter. The Stasi is tightening its policies. They're worried the reformist sentiment in the Czech Republic will influence intellectuals in East Germany."

"Understood. Anything else?"

"Over in the Czech Republic, Dubcek is starting to make a name for himself," Werner said. "He's the First Secretary of Slovakia now, but he'll be in the Politburo soon. You should keep an eye on him."

"Dubcek..." Werner repeated the name. "What's his stance?"

"A reformist, an idealist," Werner said. "He wants to build 'socialism with a human face.' The problem is, he underestimates Moscow's reaction. If he really takes power—"

"There'll be trouble?"

"One hundred percent," Werner's voice was firm. "Werner, you and the West German Government need to prepare in advance. If something happens in the Czech Republic, all of Eastern Europe will be destabilized."

Another silence on the other end of the line.

"Werner, your intelligence is becoming more and more valuable," Werner finally said. "Director Helmut asked me to tell you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very pleased with your work."

"I don't need them to be pleased," Werner said bluntly. "I need assurances."

"What kind of assurances?"

"A West German passport," Werner said. "And a legal identity—bank account, proof of assets, all the necessary documents. Werner, if things go south here in East Germany, I need to be able to get out immediately."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

"I'll pass it on," Werner said at last. "But this will take time, and it needs approval from higher up."

"I can wait," Werner said. "But not for too long."

After hanging up, Werner leaned against the glass wall of the phone booth and closed his eyes.

He was now like a man walking a tightrope, with East Germany on one side and West Germany on the other.

One misstep on either side, and he would be shattered to pieces.

But as long as he could make it to the end—

he would survive.

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

「Koko Headquarters, one week later.」

"Werner, the quality of your recent 'political prisoner recommendations' has been very high." Gunter sat behind his desk, holding a list. "The West Germans are very happy with the people you've recommended, especially that physicist. I hear the West German Government paid two hundred thousand Marks to ransom him."

Werner smiled. "I just picked a few valuable ones."

"Valuable?" Gunter raised an eyebrow. "How do you know who's valuable?"

"By reading their files," Werner said. "That physicist used to work at the Free University of Berlin and has academic connections in West Germany. And that journalist had his articles published in West German newspapers; the media over there knows him. Of course the West German Government is willing to pay to ransom people like that."

Gunter nodded and put the list down. "Alright, you can continue to be in charge of this area. Oh, right—" He took a document from his drawer. "This is the list of political prisoners to be released next month. Take a look and see if there's anyone worth packaging."

Werner took the document and scanned it quickly.

There were over thirty names on the list, most for ordinary "treason"—attempting to cross the border, distributing leaflets, organizing underground reading groups.

But one name made Werner pause.

Carl Weber, forty-five, chemist. Crime: Leaking state secrets.

Werner remembered that name.

In the historical records from 2025, Carl Weber would go on to become the chief scientist for a West German chemical giant, making significant contributions to the field of polymer materials.

"This one," Werner said, pointing to Weber's name. "I suggest we prioritize recommending him to West Germany."

"Why?"

"He's a chemist; there will definitely be a market for him in West Germany," Werner said. "Besides, he was sentenced to fifteen years and still has twelve left to serve. If the West German Government wants him, they'll definitely have to pay a high price."

Gunter laughed. "Werner, you really are a businessman."

"Isn't working at Koko just doing business?" Werner laughed as well.

But he was thinking of something else.

'If I can get Weber to West Germany, he'll definitely remember this favor in the future. And when I need to build a network of contacts in West Germany—'

'—Weber will be an excellent starting point.'

"Alright, we'll do it your way," Gunter said. "Go contact Lawyer Vogel and have him negotiate the price with the West Germans."

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

「The secret villa, ten o'clock at night.」

"The intelligence you've been giving to West Germany lately is getting more and more high-level." Anna sat before the fireplace, a glass of red wine in her hand, a hint of worry in her voice.

Werner, who was organizing his briefcase, paused.

"Are you talking about the contents of Milk's meeting?"

"Yes." Anna turned to look at him. "Werner, that was the highest-level internal meeting of the Stasi. You passed the contents directly to the BND—" She paused. "That's too risky."

Werner walked over, sat down beside her, and took her hand. "I know. But only intelligence of this level will make the BND take me seriously."

"But if you're discovered—"

"I won't be," Werner cut her off, his voice calm. "Anna, there were more than a dozen people at that meeting. Any one of them could be the source of the leak. Even if the Stasi is suspicious, they won't suspect me directly."

Anna stared at him for a few seconds, then finally sighed. "I'm just worried about you."

"I know." Werner pulled her into his arms. "But we have no way to retreat. If we want to establish a firm foothold in West Germany later, I have to prove my worth. Insignificant economic data isn't enough anymore."

Anna leaned against his shoulder and said no more.

The fire in the fireplace crackled. The two of them were silent for a long time.

"Werner," Anna said suddenly, her voice soft. "Sometimes I feel like you're not from this era."

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