Deutschland Über Alles blared from the tall speakers that had been set up for the speech. Nobody really knew what to do. Fear and caution took over the excitement and giddiness from less than a minute ago. Surely the broadcast hadn't actually been taken over by Nazis, had it?

Sprocket automatically assumed the worst. "Guys, quick," he said, "we've gotta find Cog." He reached out to grab them, but Gogs pulled his arm away.

"Why?" he asked, confused.

"What if something is about to happen?" Beads of sweat were forming on Sprocket's hairline. His façade was gone.

Gogs, on the other hand, wasn't so sure.

"Give it a minute. If this turns out bad, we'll go searching."

Sprocket looked like there was more he wanted to say, but he relented. He was probably just overreacting again. Was it because he was suspicious of Lukas?

Although, he thought, worrying again, Cog hasn't returned from helping him. Maybe he should be suspicious.

The song and swastika faded and were replaced by a dark figure. As the figure leaned forward, his features were revealed. An older man glared at the camera with brown eyes and graying hairs. He had a short mustache, a parting hairline, a grin, and a stern, slightly maniacal aura.

"Remember me, world?" the man asked, sporting an Austrian accent. If there was any initial doubt as to who they were seeing on screen, it was now gone. "I am the man who is described in history books as the 'evil loser of World War II,' the 'escaper of justice for his crimes,' and so on. For you Americans, since I know you haven't caught on yet, my name is Adolf Hitler.

"I offer my finest German greetings to this list of cities, but not solely to them. I greet you all, Aryan or not.

"Greetings, Berlin. I remember living there with my wife. Until she was killed, I mean."

A live-feed camera of Berlin popped up, revealing two different events. To the right, hundreds of people were staring at the TVs that lined the street. Panic set in as they quickly realized that they were being shown on the televisions. To the left, marchers began walking towards the group of viewers in front of them, arms out in the Nazi salute.

"Can't wait to revisit you, Germany. Next, off to New York City."

Everyone in the room flinched at the sight of Hitler's face on the television screens that lined the streets before they switched to displaying the crowd. The crowd on the ground dispersed, people running in all different directions. A dark shadow sank in from the east, adding to the darkening theme.

"Ah, the city life. Nothing greater. Of course, what better city to greet than D.C. itself."

The camera cut over to President Carter, who watched an off-camera screen with panic until he switched focus to the camera in front of him. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but it immediately snapped back to Hitler.

"Of course, we can't forget our dear friends on the A.S. Globetrotter. Heartbreaking, really. They were so ready for this whole speech. Fortunately, I have the goodwill to let them do their part still."

The camera pointed directly at the three on stage, and brought the attention of millions of people with it. Sail almost immediately fainted and fell to the ground. Sprocket walked up to the camera and smashed its lens. "Listen buddy," he growled, "why don't you just go f—"

"Such misbehaved children," Hitler taunted, the screens switching to his wrinkled face. "Honestly, what could I expect from Americans."

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Thinking quickly, Sprocket rushed over to the camera settings and switched over to the override channel. "I'm not done with you," he roared, back in view. "Whatever you think you're doing, you're not gonna get away with it. I'll personally see to it if I have to."

He received applause and cheering from the kids in the mess hall. Hitler eventually reappeared on screen again, a little more upset this time.

"Despicable American scum. You're messing with the wrong man. Also, why'd that girl faint? It's not like I'm an evil dictator. You know who was? Stalin. Which gives me an idea. Hello there, Moscow!"

The live feed of the Soviet Union's capital popped up, a dark shadow also over the area. Many people were running, but some stood up and pointed toward the sky. While their target was out of view, it was clearly massive. Russian tanks rolled in at the same time Hitler came into view yet again.

"Lastly, let's pay a visit to the U.K. Not any specific place, but just the general area."

An aerial-view camera revealed a hazy, gray skyline in the night sky, with stars twinkling in the distance. The camera panned downward, showcasing a city bright and active. Seemingly random bright flashes appeared in the land below.

"Just in case you haven't figured it out—again, you Americans—we have cameras everywhere." On cue, eight more cameras showcased different cities around the world. Las Vegas, Cape Town, and Dublin were among them.

"For most of us, it's the most wonderful time of the year. For those of you in the Middle East, you need to get with the system. You'd think you'd have learned by now. Anyway, I'd love to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I'm sure Mr. Carter would've done the same, but he's liberal, so you never know."

His comment received mixed reactions from the dwindling crowd on the Globetrotter, but no laughter. Nothing was funny about this broadcast.

"And a happy new year, of course. Now, onwards with more video, shall we? However, before we get started, let me extend a welcome to Argentina, the first to openly support the Nazi regime!

"The U.S. and others of the Allied Powers seem to want to make the world think we are understaffed and underperformed. I've decided to debunk that by showing off our military power. Behold, the A.S. Mumba."

A massive airship flashed on screen, bearing an equally massive flag. The ship was entirely metal, and zoomed moderately fast past the camera. Far beneath it, roaring waves mingled with falling snow. Two other ships joined it on its speedy trek.

"The Mumba and her friends back there have a few places to be, and a few people to visit. I'm told the United States is very hospitable for airships like her. You see, we've been busy doing a lot of research and development. We don't intend to lose this time. Don't take it from me, though. I'm just tooting my own horn. Ask Poland instead."

As many of them were trying to figure out what he meant, the camera switched to a body cam of a soldier, marching in the streets of presumably Poland, commanding other soldiers where to shoot.

"Oh my God!" one kid yelled. "They're starting World War III!" Sprocket's stomach dropped. This was literally the worst way the day could have gone. He hoped.

The camera switched again, this time showcasing three tanks and two military trucks driving through the snow, with gunmen firing at people who were close enough. Lastly, a view of Warsaw showed an airship hovering over the city, dispatching troops and launching attacks on a few scattered buildings.

"It's not just Poland, either. Consider Germany."

As expected, clips of war and battle all across New Germany showed up, most giving insight to just how many Nazis there actually are.

"Or even Mexico."

Of the twelve video feeds that were popping up, two showed actual fighting in Mexico. The rest showcased the capital, with a Nazi flag waving in the wind illuminated by spotlights.

"Nobody is safe."

Cameras in Tel Aviv, Israel, showed men marching down the streets, shooting everything and everyone.

Sail, being tended to by Gogs, stirred awake just in time to see what was happening on the TV.

"I have family there..." She cried into his shoulder, joining many of the others in the room that were tearing up. What was happiness just fifteen minutes ago had turned into pain and outrage.

"Now that we're done viewing the newest territories, let's have a look at the new growing list of allies of the Axis Powers: Cuba has offered to assist us. Argentina has offered to assist us. Italy has offered to fight with us. Japan is now fighting with us. Need I continue?

"The last two wars were labeled with 'The Western Front,' and 'The War on Two Fronts.' We're shaking things up with this. Enter World War III, the war on all fronts!"

He then put on a pair of goggles and placed them over his eyes. "Just a fair heads-up, we're also ending the cease-fire of the Steam War. I wouldn't want to surprise you or anything.

"Finally, I bring a challenge to all who may rebel against us—try to stop us. I can't wait to see you fail. Merry Christmas, everyone."

It wasn't long after the static returned to the TV that panic and chaos finally set in, as if the room had been paused by a remote.

"It got bad," Gogs said, wide-eyed. Most of the kids flushed out and away from the evil that had just plagued the screen.