I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

"I want to know the specific arrangements," Werner said directly.

Von Brown smiled, then pushed the file on the table in front of Werner. "Take a look at this."

Werner opened the file. The first page had a red letterhead with the state emblem: "Resolution on the Establishment of the ’Commercial Coordination Department’."

’So it’s the Commercial Coordination Department.’

He quickly flipped through the file.

The document detailed the functions of this new department: responsible for acquiring foreign exchange for East Germany, procuring urgently needed strategic materials for the state, and handling "special trade projects."

Werner’s heart began to beat faster.

In the memories from his past life, this department had a more widely known name—Koko, an abbreviation for Kommerzielle Koordinierung, the Commercial Coordination Department. It was one of the most mysterious and powerful institutions in the history of East Germany.

On the surface, this department was for earning foreign exchange for the country, but in reality, it operated in a gray area, encompassing everything from arms dealing and art smuggling to the procurement of embargoed goods and money laundering operations.

It reported directly to the Ministry of State Security, wielded nearly unlimited power, and controlled East Germany’s most crucial foreign exchange channels.

Historically, Koko earned hundreds of millions of West German Marks for East Germany each year, keeping the precarious nation running. Its tentacles reached all over the world, from Africa to the Middle East, from Latin America to Southeast Asia, leaving no corner untouched.

And now, Von Brown was pulling him into this very organization.

"The Commercial Coordination Department." Von Brown leaned forward. "Koko for short. It’s a new department under the direct command of the Ministry of State Security, and its function is clear—to use all legal means to acquire foreign exchange and strategic materials for the state."

"Legal means?" Werner seized on the keyword.

"Yes, legal means," Von Brown emphasized. "We serve the state. Everything has central approval and follows legal procedures. Of course, the specific business operations will require a certain... flexibility. But it’s all for the socialist cause."

Werner understood.

Von Brown wouldn’t use words like "smuggling" or "money laundering," but the meaning was perfectly clear.

"What will my position be?" Werner looked up.

"Nominally, Procurement Manager," Von Brown said. "In reality, you’ll be in charge of foreign exchange operations and special material procurement. You can continue to use all your old channels."

"And the salary?"

"Much, much more than what you’re making now." A smile spread across Von Brown’s face. "Your base salary will be 800 Marks a month, plus performance bonuses. How much you make depends on how well you do. Of course..." He lowered his voice. "Our private partnership can also continue. You’ll get every penny you’re owed."

Werner understood. On paper, he would be an employee of Koko, but in reality, he would still be Von Brown’s fixer. The only difference was that now he had an official title, which would make things more convenient and less risky.

What did joining Koko mean?

It meant he would be deeply involved in East Germany’s gray economy, exposed to the nation’s most closely guarded secrets.

It meant bigger deals, more money, and it also meant... getting sucked deeper into the system.

"I have one more question," Werner said.

"Ask."

"If I join Koko, what happens to my old informants? Franz, Keller..."

"They’ll do what they’ve always done." Von Brown waved his hand dismissively. "Once you’re in Koko, you’ll have more power, making it easier to protect them. Besides, you’ll need them to get things done for you. I won’t interfere. Just don’t cause any major trouble."

Werner was silent for a few seconds.

"When do I start?" he asked.

The smile on Von Brown’s face widened. "Next Monday. Report for duty first, and someone will fill you in on the specific arrangements. With your skills, you should get the hang of it quickly."

"Alright."

"That settles it, then." Von Brown stood up and extended his hand. "Welcome to the Commercial Coordination Department, Comrade Werner. From this day forward, you’re not just working for the Stasi; you’re also contributing to the nation’s economic development."

Werner also stood up and shook his hand.

"By the way," Von Brown said suddenly, letting go of his hand. "I heard you went to see Vonke a few days ago?"

Werner’s heart tightened, but he kept his expression calm. "Yes. I went to drop something off. We did work together, after all."

"Mm," Von Brown said, staring at him. "He may be retired, but he still has some influence. It’s fine for you to stay in touch with him, but you must remember..."

"Remember what?"

"He represents the past, and you are now walking toward the future," Von Brown’s tone became serious. "Don’t let old relationships cloud your judgment."

"I understand," Werner said sincerely.

"Good that you understand." Von Brown smiled and patted Werner’s shoulder. "Go on now. Remember to report on time next Monday. Someone will be there to show you around."

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

Stepping out of the Stasi Building, Werner took a deep breath. The cold winter air filled his lungs, clearing his head a little.

He knew he had just crossed a line.

From this day forward, he was no longer a hustler operating in the gray areas, but a part of the state machine.

In his memories from his past life, Koko was East Germany’s closest window to the Western world.

Many of those who had worked for Koko successfully transitioned after the reunification, because they controlled business networks, held the keys to foreign exchange channels, and most importantly—they had countless connections to the West.

’This could be a path to the future.’

Werner lit a cigarette and walked toward his car, which was parked on the side of the road.

Snow began to drift from the sky. Tiny flakes landed on his overcoat and melted almost instantly.

He got in the car and started the engine. But he didn’t drive off right away. He just sat there in the driver’s seat, watching the snow fall thicker and thicker outside the windshield.

Werner closed his eyes and mentally reviewed his escape routes:

Joshua—his West German contact, who controlled a network of connections there.

Reynard—the West Berlin merchant with a sharp business sense, a potential economic springboard.

Pastor Weber—his Church channel, providing humanitarian cover, and the Church had influence in West Germany as well.

Vogel—the lawyer, a bridge for official transactions.

And Anna...

Werner opened his eyes.

Anna was the most complicated thread. She was inside the Stasi, but she also worked for West Germany. She was both a business partner and an ally.

All these threads were still there, held firmly in his hands.

Werner took another deep breath, put the car in gear, and drove away.

The game was still on, and he had only just truly entered it.

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

The car moved slowly through the snow. Werner drove to a small tavern near Alexanderplatz. It was the meeting spot he had arranged with Anna.

The tavern was small, with only seven or eight tables. The lighting was dim, the air thick and murky with the smell of smoke and alcohol. In a corner sat a few drunk workers, mumbling incomprehensibly.

Anna was already there.

She was sitting in the farthest corner, wearing a dark blue overcoat. Her hair was draped loosely over her shoulders, not pinned up meticulously as usual. An untouched glass of beer sat in front of her.

"You’re here," she said, looking up. A flicker of a smile touched her eyes.

"Mm-hmm," Werner said, sitting down across from her and ordering a beer for himself.

They were silent for a moment. The tavern’s phonograph was playing an old song, a raspy male voice singing about "fatherland," "peace," and "future."

"I hear you’re joining Koko," Anna said suddenly, her fingers slowly tracing the rim of her glass. "Congratulations, Comrade Werner. Getting promoted from a black-market hustler to a state cadre... that’s quite the meteoric rise."

Her tone held a hint of teasing.

Werner looked at her. "How did you know?"

"It’s all over the Stasi," Anna said, taking a sip of her beer. "Von Brown’s new favorite, joining the most secretive department. Everyone’s talking about you." She put down her glass, her gaze turning meaningful. "Including me."

"What do you think?"

"Me?" Anna leaned forward, her voice low. "I think... it’s a great opportunity. Koko controls East Germany’s most crucial foreign exchange channels and deals with state secrets. Once you’re in, you’ll truly be at the center of power."

Werner lit a cigarette. "But it also means it’ll be harder to get out."

"Who said anything about getting out?" Anna’s eyes glinted in the dim light. "Werner, have you thought about it? The people in Koko have the closest ties to the Western world. If there’s ever a real change in the future, they’ll be the safest ones."

Werner looked at her. Clearly, Anna had thought of this too.

"So, I think you made a wise choice," Anna smiled, a smile that held an unreadable meaning. "Besides... you joining Koko is also more beneficial for our partnership, isn’t it?"

"What do you want?" Werner asked directly.

"Intelligence," Anna said without hiding her intentions. "The foreign exchange data Koko handles, their trade routes, information on Western businessmen... West Germany needs all of it. You give me that, and I’ll give you inside information on the Stasi’s movements, policy changes, and..."

She paused, her gaze growing more focused. "Leverage on Von Brown."

Werner’s heart raced.

"You’ve already started collecting it?"

"Of course," Anna said, leaning back in her chair. "Werner, you’re not naive enough to think Von Brown will protect you forever, are you? You saw what happened to Vonke. In the Stasi, no one is irreplaceable. So..."

"So you have to prepare in advance," Werner finished her sentence.

"Smart." Anna nodded in approval. "That’s what I admire about you. You know when to advance and when to retreat."

She suddenly stood, walked around the table, and sat down next to Werner.

Her shoulder brushed against his, her warm breath on his face.

"Eva is gone," Anna said softly. "There’s an empty space in your heart, isn’t there?"

Werner turned his head to look at her.

Anna’s face was very close to his, so close he could see his own reflection in her eyes.

"A little," he admitted.

"But you don’t regret it," Anna said with certainty. "Because you know she didn’t belong here. She was too kind, too weak. In this game, kindness is the most fatal weakness."

"And you?" Werner suddenly reached out and took her hand, which was resting on the table. "Do you have any weaknesses?"