THE OMEGA SANCTION BY ANDREW SCORAH

SO ENERGETIC ARE THESE ACTIONS AND SO STRANGELY DO SUCH POWERFUL DISCHARGES BEHAVE THAT I HAVE OFTEN EXPERIENCED THE FEAR THAT THE ATMOSPHERE MIGHT BE IGNITED ... Nikola Tesla, inventor MORE: WHAT WOULD YOU DO? CUT A GREAT ROAD THROUGH THE LAW TO GET AFTER THE DEVIL? ROPER: ID CUT DOWN EVERY LAW IN ENGLAND TO DO THAT! MORE: OH? AND WHEN THE LAST LAW WAS DOWN, AND THE DEVIL TURNED ROUND ON YOUWHERE WOULD YOU HIDE? Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons HISTORY IS MOVING PRETTY QUICKLY THESE DAYS AND THE HEROES AND VILLAINS KEEP ON CHANGING PARTS James Bond in Casino Royale, written by Ian Flemin !"F"NS" INT"##I$"NC" A$

Jonastal, Thuringia, Germany April 1945

The hillside had turned into a seething hell hole, o Dantean !ro!ortions" Dirt# orange la$es, %el&hing oil# s$o'e stin'ing o !it&h and seared !or'" Craters and %odies stre(n a&ross the sa)aged lands&a!e, &haoti& ru$%ling under a s&rea$ing s'#" With their Tho$!son su%*$a&hine guns !ointing the (a#, Sergeant Mann# De&'er, and !ri)ates De$!se#, Genaro, and Cole, !loughed u! the tree lined hill to(ards the +ass" The %urnt*egg sten&h o sul!hur hung e)er#(here" Angr#, White*hot %olts o illu$ination &ut through the $ist, and the s$o'e The# %e&a$e se!arated ro$ the rest o the Co$!an# (hen the Ger$ans let loose (ith $ortar ire" The# (ere dug into the &li s a%o)e" Ma&hine guns and ,- $$s. %ristled ro$ %un'ers, (hi&h o)er (at&hed the $outh o the gorge leading to the /onastal +ass" This (as the last line o de en&e to the /onas 0alle# Industrial &o$!le1" A last dit&h atte$!t to !re)ent the A$eri&ans and Russians ro$ getting their hands on Ger$an te&hnolog# along the e)er*shortening road to Berlin" De&'er elt the ier&e (his!er o dis!la&ed air to the le t and right o hi$ as he $ade his (a# to(ards a allen tree" S&ra$%ling to the earth, he rea&hed the &o)er o the tree se&onds in ront o his &o$rades" The# too' ad)antage o the e( $o$ents o sa et# to get their %reath %a&', and still their %eating hearts" Cole &rossed hi$sel , and loo'ed u! to the s'# as he (as tr#ing to %e&o$e !art o the allen trun', his nineteen #ear old a&e ashen %eneath the dirt s$udges" 2This is u&'ed u!,2 De$!se# gas!ed, his slender ingers gri!!ing onto his (ea!on" 2Yeah, one &o$!an# to ta'e out those %un'ers,2 Genaro added his !oint as he 'issed the t(in di&e (hi&h hung ro$ a &hain around his ne&'" 2We3re here to so ten 3e$ u! or the tan' %o#s"2 Ma&hine gun ire s!lintered the trun' a%o)e the$" Mortar ire e1!loded all around, sho(ering soil do(n on the$ li'e a hea)# su$$er rain" De&'er ris'ed a 4ui&' !ee'" He (as re(arded (ith a hail o $a&hine gun ire (hi&h s!lintered the trun' in ront o hi$" 2The# got us !inned good,2 he said" 2%ut (e are onl# a &ou!le o hundred #ards a(a# ro$ the irst %un'er" I #ou %o#s la# do(n so$e &o)ering ire, I thin' I &an get &lose enough to lo% a grenade in"2 The# (ere !art o 5- Ad)an&ed 6nit, or 5- A6, or$erl# 5- RN Co$$ando, under Co$$ander Ian 7le$ing" The nu$%er 5- (as assigned or no other reason than it (as the nu$%er o 7le$ings se&retar#3s o i&e at Ad$iralt# House" The# all 'ne( he (as in realit# one o the %a&' roo$ %o#s ro$ West$inster, and not !art o the $ilitar# $a&hine" All the $en assigned to 5- Ad)an&ed (ere tas'ed to $o)e ahead o ad)an&ing Allied or&es, or to underta'e &o)ert in iltrations into ene$# territor# %# land, sea or air, to &a!ture $u&h needed intelligen&e, in the or$ o &odes, do&u$ents, e4ui!$ent or ene$# !ersonnel" The# o ten (or'ed in &lose &olla%oration (ith the Intelligen&e Cor!s3 7ield Se&urit# se&tions" Indi)idual troo!s (ere ound in all o!erational theatres and usuall# o!erated inde!endentl#, gathering in or$ation ro$ &a!tured a&ilities"

In or$ation had %een re&ei)ed a%out a )ast underground &o$!le1 in the /onas )alle# area, so their unit %eing the &losest had %een atta&hed to the t(o 6S &o$!an#3s and had %een dis!at&hed to ta'e the )alle#, not e1!e&ting it to %e as hea)il# de ended as it (as" When the# arri)ed at the near%# +OW &a$! at Ohrdu it had %een a%andoned, and so the# e1!e&ted the sa$e (hen the# $o)ed on the )alle#" Be ore an# o the$ &ould ans(er, the# elt the ground ru$%le, and the sound o a hea)# diesel engine, and the &ra&' o ti$%er" 8oo'ing %ehind the$, all our (ere horri ied to see the a!!roa&h through the trees o a 9:nigstiger, the $ost eared tan' in the Ger$an arsenal" 7ear !inned the$ to the s!ot" The ;< ton $onster ro&'ed to a sto! ten #ards a(a# ro$ the$" De&'er regained so$e e4uili%riu$" Gra%%ing Genaro, he (as a%out to s&ra$%le a(a#, (hen the ==$$ %arrel angled u! to(ards the %un'er" 2What the u&'>2 Cole stared o!en $outhed at the s&ene %e ore the$" The# all hit the de&', as the high )elo&it# round e1!loded ro$ the $u??le" De&'er, des!ite &o)ering his ears elt as though he (as under(ater" The &hange in air !ressure $u led all sound" The tan' ired again" The (orld ro&'ed around the$" The# &ra(led o)er to the tan'" De&'er ris'ed a loo' at the %un'er@ it (as no( a Au$%le o s$o'ing ru%%le" A head !o!!ed u! out o the turret" 2Thought #ou To$$#.s $a# need a hand,2 the grinning a&e o Ton# 3Du'e3 +arsons loo'ed do(n at the$" 2Where the u&' #ou get this ro$B2 Genaro sla$$ed a hand against the tan's tra&'" 2As' $e no 4uestions"2 Du'e (as one o those t#!es o $en e)er# unit see$ed to ha)e in its ran's, #ou (anted so$ething, the# &ould lo&ate it" 2Carr# on $en, got to go hel! the others,2 he %anged on the turret, 2Waggon3s Roll>2 A thi&' &loud o %lue s$o'e s(e!t o)er the %ushes and trees at the rear o the Tiger" With a ru$%le o rusting tra&'s, the tan' set o again to(ards the other %un'er !ositions" De&'er ru%%ed the %a&' o his ne&' as he (at&hed the tan' &rash through the trees, then loo'ed to the others" 2C3$on %o#s, u! the hill"2 The# )aulted o)er the trun', and !ro&eeded u! to(ards the no( silent %un'er" The sounds o %attle had e)en died do(n urther along the line" A ter &he&'ing the (re&'ed %un'er (as &lear the# $o)ed o to regrou! (ith the rest o A%le Co$!an#" Du'e and his tan' hel!ed e)en u! the odds" Within the s!a&e o an hour, the# had &leared out the rest o the %un'er !ositions" 6!on entering the !ass, the# ound e)iden&e o a hast# retreat" The Ger$ans had not %een %othered to ta'e )alua%le e4ui!$ent (ith the$" The# ound the sa$e (hen the# arri)ed at the /onas 0alle# Industrial Co$!le1 %e#ond the !ass" None o the$ &ould igure out (h# the Ger$ans had de ended (ith su&h )igour onl# to lea)e in su&h a hurr#" As the sun san' %ehind the orested hills o the )alle#, De&'er, Cole, and Genaro (ere ta'ing a (ell*earned %rea' at the ne(l# esta%lished or(ard o!erating %ase" The to! %rass had ta'en o)er a &olle&tion o o i&es (ith so$e (or' sheds turned into %illets" A $essage ro$ &o$!an# &o$$and had %een re&ei)ed telling the$ to hold the )alle# until urther noti&e"

Outside in the $udd# )alle#, the dis!at&h riders &a$e and (ent, slithering (ildl# through the )is&ous $ud" The sounds o shouted orders ro$ !latoon &o$$anders dri ted on the night air" 7or no(, the !er&ussi)e sounds o (ar (ere a%sent" De&'er (as a )eteran o $an# &a$!aigns so did (hat all )eterans did" He got his head do(n" You ne)er 'ne( (hen the &han&e to slee! (ould &o$e so #ou too' it (hen #ou &ould" Genaro and Cole had hoo'ed u! (ith three other gu#s ro$ Charlie Co$!an# and started a &ard ga$e" 2I heard there3s a lot o Na?i gold hidden in this )alle#,2 Cole said" 2Oh #eah, (here3d #ou hear thatB2 Genaro laid do(n his &ards and (hoo!ed as he too' so$e $ore !a# ro$ the $oo's he (as s&a$$ing" 2Oh $an, that3s $e out,2 Cole thre( do(n his &ards in disgust" 2Heard so$e o the %rass tal'ing earlier"2 2You hear too $u&h" Cole, so$eti$es it3s %est to 'ee! #our $outh shut,2 De&'er said, his e#es still shut" Be ore Cole &ould !rotest, their troo! &o$$ander, Ca!tain Hardest# strode in" 2On #er eet $en, I need #ou or a $ission"2 The# all Au$!ed to attention" 2Gra% #our (ea!ons, and ollo( $e"2 Hardest# (ent outside to (ait or the$" De&'er gra%%ed his Tho$!son, and hel$et" The others s&ra$%led or their (ea!ons %e ore ollo(ing De&'er outside" He !ulled out a &igarillo ro$ the %attered !a&' in his to! !o&'et, stri'ing a $at&h on the (all o the %uilding ne1t to hi$" A!!l#ing it to the &igarillo he (at&hed Hardest# &on erring (ith t(o in antr#$en" De&'er noti&ed a $an in the uni or$ o an SS* O%erstur$%ann Chrer in the Aee! !ar'ed %ehind the$" He (as se&ured (ith hand&u s, and loo'ed as though so$eone had gi)en hi$ a good going o)er" Hardest# nodded to the $en then &a$e o)er to s!ea' to De&'er" 2It a!!ears a s$all grou! o o i&ers, and so$e s&ientists ha)e ta'en re uge in one o the $ining &o$!le1es the# did not $anage to %last u!on their retreat" I (ant #ou $en to go in and lush the$ out %e ore the# destro# an#thing else"2 2Onl# the si1 o us, sirB2 2The O%erst there sa#s the# are not hea)il# ar$ed, e)er#one else is tied u! (ith other duties or no(, head on do(n see i #ou &an ind the$, I3ll send so$e others do(n as soon as I &an ree u! so$e %odies"2 Hardest# !ointed u! the )alle#" 2I3)e !ut t(o $en at the entran&e, head u! there, the#3ll gi)e #ou a radio"2 Without another (ord, he (al'ed o)er to the Aee! and &li$%ed in alongside the in antr#$en" The Aee! re)ersed then headed o u! the !ass" 2Another %ullshit dut#, DCole gri!ed" 2Euit #er $oaning, let3s get this done then #ou &an get %a&' to losing $one#"2 Genaro laughed" So$e t(ent# i)e tunnel entran&es (ere %ored into the hillside o)erloo'ing the )alle#" E)iden&e o )ast &onstru&tion a&ti)it# lies all around" So$e o the entran&es had %een %lasted shut, the ones that (ere inta&t no( had in antr#$en on !er$anent guard dut# outside, their (ea!ons trained into the tunnels" As the# a!!roa&hed, a guard (a)ed the$ o)er" De&'er and his $en Aogged u! the side

o a train tra&' e$%an'$ent then u! to the tunnel" A $etal &ano!# had %een %uilt a%o)e the tunnel entran&e, !ossi%l# the %eginning o so$e 'ind o &a$ou lage s#ste$" 2/ust the si1 o #ouB2 He as'ed, as a greeting" 27raid so,2 De&'er ans(ered" 2Ho( $an#3s su!!osed to %e do(n thereB2 Cole as'ed" 2A%out t(ent# t(o, o i&ers, s&ientists and a &ou!le o Wa en %od#guards"2 2But there $a#%e $ore, rightB2 De&'er thre( do(n his &igarillo, &run&hing it out under his %oot" The guard shrugged" Cole too' the radio o the other guard, and stra!!ed it to his %a&'" 2C3$on then, let3s do this"2 De&'er strode to(ards the tunnel" The irst e( eet had %een dug out o solid ro&', stret&hing into se$i dar'ness, the (a# lit %# (ea' lights e)er# e( eet" The hairs on the %a&' o De&'er3s ne&' stood to attention" He 'ne( this (as a shit detail, also, he had a ear o &on ined s!a&es, a ter alling into a sin'hole (hen he (as a 'id" The land around the ar$ he had gro(n u! on in Ala%a$a (as riddled (ith tunnels ro$ a near%# $ine, he had %een out (andering the ields (ith his dog, S'i!, (hen the ground %eneath his eet had o!ened u!, s(allo(ing hi$ and his dog" Des!ite his s&rea$s, he (as not dis&o)ered until the ne1t da#" He elt a &old s(eat %rea' out all o)er his s'in" A hand on his shoulder %ro'e the s!ell" He turned to see Genaro" 2You o'a#, SargeB2 2Yeah, let3s do this, eh"2 Gri!!ing his Tho$!son, and ta'ing a dee! %reath, he ste!!ed into the &ool air o the tunnel" 9ee! it together, De&'er thought" Not (anting to a!!ear (ea' in ront o the others" He too' !oint" The# (al'ed in single ile through the ru &ut tunnel" No on s!o'e, onl# the noise o their %reathing &a$e %a&' at the$ ro$ the tunnel (alls" De&'er elt the (hole (eight o the earth and ro&'s a%o)e hi$" A series o t(ists and turns %rought the$ to a &on&reted (all, (ith a &losed $etal hat&h door set in the &enter" De&'er held u! his hand" 2Sta# (here #ou are, the# &ould ha)e %oo%# tra!!ed the door"2 De&'er !ut his hand on the &entral lo&'ing (heel %ut stood to one side o the door" He loo'ed to the others, signalling the$ to hit the de&' against the (all o the tunnel" He had seen it %e ore, (here doors or )ehi&les had %een turned into %o$%s" The thought $ade his hand s(eat" He ru%%ed his hand on his Aa&'et %e ore !la&ing his hand %a&' on the (heel" Gi)ing it a hard t(ist, he thre( hi$sel a(a# and against the (all" Nothing ha!!ened" He turned %a&' to the door, and !ulled it o!en" Ma&hine gun ire eru!ted ro$ the o!en door" Bullets, s!angged o the (alls, and &aro$ed around the tunnel" Genaro and Cole returned ire" De&'er !ulled a grenade ro$ his utilit# !ou&h, !ulled the !in, and then tossed it through the door" The e1!losion (hen it &a$e (as loud" He elt his ears !o!" He Au$!ed in ront o the door and ired ro$ the hi!" There (as no need though, he sa( the

Ger$an soldier (ho had %een o!erating the S!andau $a&hine gun, slu$!ed o)er the sand%ag e$!la&e$ent, %lood !ouring ro$ his head" De&'er ste!!ed through the hat&h, (ea!on at the read#" He $o)ed to one side o the door as the others ollo(ed" The interior here (as di erent" The (alls (ere &onstru&ted o rein or&ed &on&rete" A (ell*lit &orridor e1tended %e ore the$, our door(a#s on either side leading o to (ho 'ne( (hat" The# &ould also hear a aint (hining noise &o$ing ro$ %eneath their eet" Be ore $o)ing o , the# &he&'ed the roo$s leading o the &orridor" 7inding nothing %ut des's and s&attered !a!er(or', the# headed dee!er into the &o$!le1" The noise %e&a$e louder as the# des&ended dee! underground, along a series o s(it&h%a&' &orridors" Ea&h one is leading to (or'sho!s or storeroo$s" The (or'sho!s (ere ull o strange e4ui!$ent the li'es o (hi&h the# had ne)er seen %e ore" 2This is a (ild goose &hase, sarge, the 'rauts !ro%a%l# long gone %# no(,2 Genaro said, his a&e et&hed (ith the tension the# all elt" The strange noise (as no( ear s!littingl# loud" The# had &o$e to a larger hat&h door set in a gre# (all o the no( a$iliar %lo&' %uilding (or'" A S(asti'a (as e$%la?oned a%o)e the door" De&'er (as a%out to ans(er (hen the hat&h %urst o!en, a $an in a (hite &oat stu$%led out" His a&e (as red" Blood !oured ro$ his ears and e#es" 2Die Glo&'e lFutet, Die Glo&'e lFutet, 9a$$ler ist )errC&'t>2 The $an s&rea$ed %e ore &olla!sing, his %od# (ra&'ed %# so$e 'ind o it" The# all ro?e e1&e!t or one o the $en (ho $ade to $o)e to(ards the $an" 2Don3t tou&h hi$" We don3t 'no( (hat the#3)e %een doing do(n here,2 De&'er said, 2An#%od# understand (hat he (as sa#ing"2 2So$ething a%out a %ell ringing, and so$eone &alled 9a$$ler %eing &ra?#,2 Genaro su!!lied" The# all loo'ed straight at hi$ as i he had %een the one ra)ing" 2What> WhatB I had a Ger$an riend %e ore the (ar, taught $e a e( (ords, edu&ation gu#s, #ou should tr# it so$eti$e"2 The# $o)ed around the no( still igure" Edging to(ards the door" The noise no( (as dea ening" A reddish !ur!le light glo(ed %e#ond the door" De&'er ste!!ed through ollo(ed %# Genaro, Cole and the other $en" The sight, (hi&h greeted the$, (as the strangest an# o the$ had seen %e ore" Be#ond an# e1!erien&e" The# stood in a )ast &a)ern, taller than a &athedral, and (ider than t(o oot%all ields" Around the edges sat )arious !ie&es o ele&troni& e4ui!$ent, the !ur!ose un'no(n to De&'er or the others" The %odies o $an# dead s&ientists la# on the loor o the &a)ern" The# had all %een shot" The strangest sight (as lo&ated in the $iddle o the &a)ern" A $assi)e &ir&ular stru&ture, 5- $eters (ide and G- high" With its G,*$eter*thi&' &olu$ns and hori?ontal %ea$s" The stru&ture (as !art*re$inis&ent o so$e ritual !agan edi i&e, re$inding De&'er o the &on&rete %ase o a &ooling to(er, onl# %igger" Atta&hed %# thi&', hea)# loo'ing &hains to the &on&rete &olu$ns, %ut loating in the air (as a de)i&e (hi&h loo'ed li'e a huge %ell" B# De&'er3s esti$ation, it (as a%out i teen eet tall, and ten eet (ide" The %ase o the %ell (as uriousl# s!inning anti&lo&'(ise" Ele&tri&it# ar&hed ro$ the to! o the de)i&e" The %ell (as thro(ing o a reddish !ur!le glo(, en)elo!ed in this

glo( (ere the $en the# had &o$e to ind" T(ent#* i)e $en stood %eneath the %ell" So$e in uni or$ others in s&ienti i& s$o&'s@ the glo( %athed the grou! o $en" The noise (as no( &li$%ing u! the s&ale, %e&o$ing un%eara%le" De&'er dro!!ed to his 'nees" The others ollo(ed" He elt a !o!!ing in his ears, elt (ar$ (etness run do(n his ne&'"His s'in tingled and it&hed as i he (as &o)ered (ith ants &ra(ling all o)er hi$" As he (at&hed, the %ell %egan to lo(er onto the grou!" One o the $en, in the uni or$ o an o i&er, s$iled at hi$ and raised his right hand in a Sieg Heil gesture" The %ell &o)ered the$ all" Suddenl# a %right lash e1!loded ro$ the %ell sha!ed de)i&e, (hi&h s!read out*(ards" Where it tou&hed De&'er, it %urned li'e nothing he had e)er elt, he had a leeting i$age o %eing %a&' on the ar$, running (ith S'i!, and then nothing"

DE7ENSE INTE88IGENCE AGENCY BAC9GRO6ND RE+ORT C8ASSI7ICATIONH TO+ SECRETIEYES ON8Y A6THORH WEBB, CHAR8OTTE JD*<K S6B/ECTH GEHEIME STAAT INCIDENT GH LILATTAC9 ON A MARINE BASE Hel$and +ro)in&e, A ghanistan In the earl# hours o De&e$%er G,, a large and hea)il# ar$ed or&e o o)er one hundred $en atta&'ed a re$ote 6nited States Marine Cor!s staging and su!!l# %ase in southern A ghanistan" The or&e atta&'ed (ith !re&ision, s'ill and o)er(hel$ing )iolen&e, 'illing all o the t(ent#* t(o engineers and $aintenan&e sta stationed at the isolated %ase" The atta&'ers. o%Ae&ti)e, it see$s, (as not the $urder o 6S ser)i&e !ersonnel" The# (ere a ter the air&ra t 'e!t at the %ase" The atta&'ers too' = Bla&' Ha(' atta&' heli&o!ters !lus = Marine Cor!s 0*,, Os!re# MWar%ird. gunshi!s INCIDENT ,H G-IGTHE THE7T O7 THE M9ru?enshtern . One $onth and one da# later, on O&to%er G-, a Russian &argo reighter, the 9ru?enshtern , (as sei?ed %# !ersons un'no(n, o the (est &oast o A ri&a" A&&ording to its &argo $ani est, the shi! (as &arr#ing ti$%er, uel and %uilding su!!lies destined or Ni$%a%(e and its sei?ure (as initiall# %elie)ed to %e the (or' o West A ri&an !irates" But then the Russians sent hal o their Atlanti& leet to ind the shi!" Our in)estigations ha)e re)ealed that the 9ru?enshtern (as a&tuall# &arr#ing a large (ea!ons shi!$ent intended or sale to three e$%argoed A ri&an regi$es" Its &argo (asH O 5G- A9*PQ ASSA68T RI78ES@ O P"; $illion rounds o Q"<,$$ AMM6NITION or those ri les@ O L- R+G*Q GRENADE 8A6NCHERS@ O L STRE8A*G ANTI*AIRCRA7T 0EHIC8ES, ea&h e4ui!!ed (ith our LM5G sur a&e*to* air $issiles@ O G, NA8A*P,G*-= un$anned aerial sur)eillan&e DRONES@ O G= $a&hine*gun*$ounted /EE+S@ The reighter (as $anned %# a ten*$an s4uad o S!etsna? s!e&ial or&es troo!s" This last a&t $a'es it e1tre$el# unli'el# that the 9ru?enshtern (as ta'en %# A ri&an !irates" A ri&an !irates are usuall# !oor isher$en (ho atta&' &o$$er&ial )essels or the !ur!ose o se&uring ranso$s@ at the irst sign o an# $ilitar# !resen&e on a shi! the# in)aria%l# lee" On the &ontrar#, the or&e o $en that too' the 9ru?enshtern 'ne( e1a&tl# (hat (as on it and (as s'illed enough to de eat a tea$ o &ra&' Russian !aratroo!ers to get it" INCIDENT 5H GGIGG THE TORT6RE O7 AN AMERICAN O77ICIA8 Washington, D"C", 6SA

Shortl# a ter $idnight on Mar&h 5, a s$all grou! o unidenti ied $en raided the Georgeto(n ho$e o the or$er 6S Se&retar# o De ense, 'illed his t(o %od#guards, and 'idna!!ed the ageing Se&retar#" The se&retar# (as ound * ali)e * %# t(o earl#*$orning hi'ers in Ro&' Cree' +ar', %ound to a torture de)i&e" He had %een (ater%oarded" During his su%se4uent de%rie ing, the Se&retar# e1hi%ited s#$!to$s o se)ere sho&'" He &ontinuall# shouted Gehei$e Staat INCIDENT PH G,IG, Soon a ter $idnight on /anuar# G, a te$!orar# 6N !rison &a$! in the Dar ur region o Sudan (as raided %# a or&e o ar$ed and $as'ed $en" G-, !risoners )ariousl# des&ri%ed as Mre)olutionar# ighters., Isla$i& $ilitants ro$ se)eral A ri&an nations, and nar&o*$er&enaries.o Ger$an origin (ere reed ro$ the !rison and s!irited a(a#" All %ut t(o o the &a$!.s 6N guards (ere 'illed" The t(o sur)i)ing guards re!orted that the raiding or&e used a )ariet# o Russian*$ade assault (ea!ons and t(o A$eri&an Co%ra atta&' heli&o!ters" The raiders de!arted (ith their large nu$%er o es&a!ees in t(o 0*,, Os!re# gunshi!s (ith 6S Marine Cor!s $ar'ings" Be ore the# le t, the# s!ra#*!ainted a $essage on one o the !rison (allsH MGehei$e Staat /6ST GOT STRONGER """. INCIDENT 5H GGIGG A ROBBERY O0ER GREECE In the earl# hours o No)e$%er GG, an un$ar'ed Ger$an Gul strea$ Aet &arr#ing nine %illion euros ro$ Ger$an# to Gree&e disa!!eared ro$ the s'ies a%o)e northern Gree&e" The !lane.s &argo o hard &urren&# (as intended or use in the latest stage o Gree&e.s inan&ial %ailout" The (re&'age o the !lane (as ound the ollo(ing $orning" One &re( $e$%er (as $issing" The other three had all %een shot in the head at &lose range" The $one# (as gone" CONC86SIONS The in&idents outlined a%o)e des&ri%e in so$e(hat gri$ detail the rise o a ne( non*state entit# &alling itsel the Gehei$e Staat Where it is %ased and (ho &o$!rises it is not 'no(n" What is 'no(n is thisH it is a or&e o $ilitaril#*trained indi)iduals that o)er the last se)en $onths has o%tained or itsel a &onsidera%le su!!l# o (ea!ons, inan&e and $an!o(er" It does not, as #et, sho( an# religious or &ultural $oti)ations or its aggressi)e a&ts" We do not #et 'no( (hat is dri)ing this rogue MAr$#." Ne)ertheless, it (ants us to noti&e it" It has &arried out one o!eration a $onth, e)er# $onth, or the last se)en $onths, in a&&ordan&e (ith a !attern (here the nu$%er o the da# and the $onth are the sa$e" Clearl#, it (ants us to see this !attern, and (e should %e a(are o it, %e&ause to$orro( is A!ril P""" A WAREHO6SE ON THE BAN9S O7 THE THAMES, 8ONDON, +RESENT DAY The roller shutter doors to the (arehouse as&ended to allo( ad$ittan&e to the dar' &oloured 7ord Transit )an" On&e it had )anished into the $ur'# de!ths o the %uilding, a $an &radling an A9*PQ ste!!ed out and lit u! a &igarette"

2I ha)e e#es on one 1*ra#,2 Ada$ Bane said into his throat $i&ro!hone" 2He is ar$ed, and standing %# the $ain entran&e to the (arehouse"2 2Ha)e that"2 Ca$e %a&' the re!l# ro$ the SAS O! roo$" Bane s&anned his %ino&ulars to the le t, a red Mer&edes (as dri)ing into the (arehouse &o$!ound" 2Target is no( on the !lot,2 he rela#ed" DHa)e that, all tea$s go a$%er"R The s$o'er 4ui&'l# !ut out his &igarette, and signalled to so$eone out o sight" T(o sto&'# sha)en headed $en e$erged ro$ the (arehouse, one held a !istol, the other (as unar$ed" He rela#ed the in or$ation" The dri)er o the Mer& &li$%ed out, and o!ened the rear nearside !assenger door" Henr# Mueller, the !ri$ar# target e1ited the )ehi&le" Mueller (as a i1er, a shado(# igure (ho ser)ed as a go %et(een or )arious terrorist organisations" He had a!!eared on MI;3s radar a%out t(o #ears ago (hen he negotiated the !ur&hase o Sarin or Al Eueda" The# had $anaged to inter&e!t the shi!$ent, %ut Mueller had eluded the$" The shi!$ent he (as in)ol)ed (ith no( (as Eastern Blo& uraniu$" Though asso&iated (ith the &haos o the i$$ediate #ears a ter the &olla!se o the So)iet 6nion, re!orts o nu&lear s$uggling in the or$er Eastern %lo& &ontinue to this da#, and Bane 'ne( the# (ere non less o$inous or the nu$%er o alse alar$s that (ere raised ro$ ti$e to ti$e" There (as no in or$ation on (ho he (as (or'ing or, %ut the !ur&hase (as %eing $ade ro$ a Moldo)an &ri$inal gang, although no one had an# in or$ation on (h# the deal (as ha!!ening on so)ereign soil" The Moldo)an authorities had !assed on the in or$ation to Inter!ol (ho in turn !assed it to MI;" The sus!e&ts, (ho in&luded our Moldo)ans, one Russian and one resident o the Russian* %a&'ed se!aratist region o Transnistria in eastern Moldo)a had %een in &onta&t (ith Mueller" Bane (at&hed the dri)er re$o)e a $etalli& suit&ase ro$ the %oot, (hile the unar$ed $an !atted Mueller do(n" He too' the &ase, and all three (ent into the (arehouse" Cigarette $an ollo(ed %ehind, &losing the doors a ter hi$" 2All 1*ra#s inside target %uilding, go, go, go>2 Se)eral things ha!!ened all at on&e" An ar$oured Range Ro)er &rashed through the &o$!ound en&e" 7our %la&' &lad troo!er.s a%seiled do(n ro$ the roo o the (arehouse (here the# had earlier se&reted the$sel)es" The# &rashed through the (indo(s" +er&ussi)e (hu$!s o lash %angs inside the %uilding ollo(ed this" Eight troo!ers e1ited the )ehi&le and headed or the doors, (hi&h had %egun to o!en" Cigarette $an a!!eared, and (as &ut do(n in a hail o %ullets as he raised his (ea!on" Bane thre( do(n his %ino&ulars, dre( his Glo&', and headed out o the lat, (hi&h (as o)erloo'ing the &o$!ound on the %an's o the Tha$es Ri)er" He had )olunteered to %e on o)er*(at&h o the &o$!ound %e&ause Mueller had %e&o$e a &ause &ele%re or Bane, he had %een in)ol)ed in the original o!eration (ith the Sarin, and had ta'en it !ersonal that the $an had es&a!ed &a!ture" This ti$e around, he (anted to %e in on the 'ill so to s!ea'" Bane rea&hed the &o$!ound as the inal gunshot e&hoed out o the (arehouse" He holstered his (ea!on as he (al'ed around the Range Ro)er" An SAS troo!er (as (al'ing out o the interior" He re$o)ed his gas $as' as he a!!roa&hed Bane" 2All targets are do(n,2 he shoo' his head, 2Not %# our hand either"2

2What do #ou $eanB2 2The# all shot the$sel)es"2 2MuellerB 2Yu!, hi$ too, all %e ore the gu#s hit the de&', one $ade or the )an, he (as the onl# one (e too' out inside the (arehouse"2 Bane (as ha)ing trou%le !ro&essing this in or$ation, these $en (ere as tough as the# &o$e, e1 S!et?na? or 7SB to a $an, #et the# &hose sui&ide o)er &a!ture" 2Ha)e #our $en se&ure the !eri$eter"2 The $an nodded, and &alled the others out" Bane (al'ed into the (arehouse" The sten&h o death illed the air, he learned long ago death s$elled o &o!!er and &ordite, in his line o (or', this s&ene (as no di erent" He $o)ed &are ull# to a)oid the ra!idl# s!reading la'es o red" The )an (as !ar'ed in the &entre o the dar'ened (arehouse@ the onl# light (as the %ars strea$ing through the s$ashed or $ur'# (indo(s" He loo'ed do(n at Mueller, hal his a&e had %een %lo(n o , this $ade no sense at all, and in all his e1!erien&e, he had 'no(n nothing li'e it" Bane $ade his (a# o)er to the )an, and tried the handle on the rear doors" The# o!ened easil#" Inside he sa( a $ediu$ si?ed (ooden &rate" Sten&illed on the side a&ing hi$ (as the eagle and s(asti'a s#$%ol o the Na?i3s" Bane ro(ned, the %o1 (as too s$all to &ontain the a$ount o uraniu$ the# had %een told a%out, and he &ertainl# (ould not e1!e&t to see a Na?i s#$%ol on it" A ter handing o)er to the on s&ene s&ien&e o i&er, Bane returned to Tha$es House on the north %an' o the ri)er" He had a lot to &onsider regarding the ending o the $ission, (hi&h had le t $an# unans(ered 4uestions" He (ould ha)e to ha)e ans(ers or his %oss as (ell" Sir Ale& Walton, a or$er Colonel in Chie o the S!e&ial Air Ser)i&e, and as hard nosed an o!erator as Bane had e)er 'no(n" Not a $an to su er ools gladl# or $issions gone sour" Ta'ing a dee! %reath, he 'no&'ed on Sir Ale&3s oa' !anelled o i&e door" 2Co$e in,2 &a$e the s&rat&h# )oi&ed re!l#" Bane !ushed the door o!en and entered the ri&hl# &ar!eted o i&e" Sir Ale& sat %ehind his des', (hi&h (as an e1a&t &o!# o the Resolute des' (hi&h so$eti$es sat in the O)al o i&e at the Whitehouse, a gi t ro$ Eueen 0i&toria to +resident Ruther ord B" Ha#es in G==- and (as %uilt ro$ the ti$%ers o the British Ar&ti& E1!loration shi! Resolute, hen&e the na$e" On the (all %ehind Sir Ale&, hung !i&tures o the Eueen, and the !resent !ri$e $inister, Da)id 8le(ell#n" Bane noti&ed his %oss (as not alone@ a (hi!&ord lean $an in his late i ties sat in one o the t(o &hairs in ront o the des'" 2Ha)e a seat Ada$"2 Bane sat do(n in the other &hair" 2So, the Ao% did not go !lan,2 Sir Ale& leaned his el%o(s on the des' and stee!led his ingers" 2No, not e1a&tl#, (e did retrie)e the shi!$ent though"2 2A )er# unusual situation all round, I3)e Aust %een in or$ed the shi!$ent (as not uraniu$ either, it (as so$ething &alled Seru$ ;,;, other(ise 'no(n as red $er&ur#"2 2Red $er&ur#, isn.t that Aust an ur%an legendB2 2I3$ not a !h#si&ist, so I &ould not sa#, %ut this gentle$an $a# %e a%le to shed so$e light on the $atter" Ada$ Bane $eet Colonel Bri&e Montague, C in C o O$ega"2 The $an leaned o)er and shoo' Bane3s hand"

2Good to $eet #ou, Ada$,2 he had a southern A$eri&an dra(l to his a&&ent" 2O$ega, I3)e ne)er heard o it"2 2Good, then (e are doing our Ao% &orre&tl#, (e are a dee!er than dee! %la&' o!s out it, (e $anage, er"""6nusual situations, a s$all %ut )er# elite grou! o o!erators dra(n ro$ the ran's o the 6S and (orld $ilitar# and no( re&entl# gi)en s!e&ial autono$# to de end the entire (orldT ro$ threats that (ere %e#ond the &o$!rehension o traditional $ilitar# or&es"We are not under the lag o an# one nation, a $ulti national grou!, (e go an#(here (e are needed"2 2Ho( does this &on&ern $e, and this Seru$ ;,;,2 Bane had a eeling he (as not going to li'e the ans(er" Sir Ale& ans(ered or the &olonel, 2The#3)e Aust lost their British se&urit# asset, so I a$ !utting #ou on se&ond$ent to O$ega, Colonel Montague )ie(ed a e( !ersonnel iles, and !i&'ed #ou, #our in)ol)e$ent (ith the red $er&ur# shi!$ent (as an added %onus"2 2But (hat a%out all $# other Ao%sB I still ha)e se)eral on*going"2 2Chris Dea'in &an ta'e the$ o)er@ #ou3ll need to %rie hi$ %e ore #ou lea)e o &ourse"2 Bane did not li'e this one %it, %ut he 'ne( he had no &hoi&e, (hat Sir Ale& said (as then (ritten in stone, still he lo)ed a &hallenge, and he had a eeling this (as going to turn out to %e the %iggest &hallenge o his li e" Montague handed Bane a ile, (hi&h he had dra(n ro$ the %rie &ase %# the side o his &hair" 2We ha)e t(o $issing s&ientists to lo&ate" Their ield o e1!ertise is anti*gra)it# and %oosted ission (ea!ons" The eeling is that so$e%od# so$e(here is %uilding a $other o all %o$%s, that3s (h# the need or the red $er&ur#, I3$ told it3s a su!er*&ondu&ti)e $aterial used or !rodu&ing high*!re&ision &on)entional and nu&lear %o$% e1!losi)es" There is a ti&'et in the ile (hi&h (ill get #ou to 8as 0egas3 M&Carran International Air!ort, #ou3ll %e ta'en to our head 4uarters ro$ there, #ou.ll re!ort to Co$$ander Morgan, the ile &ontains all the Intel #ou need on our &urrent $ission, and #our e1!e&ted role (ithin" An#thing else, Morgan (ill ill #ou in"2 Montague stood u!" 2I3ll %id #ou good da# gentle$en, and I (ill see #ou in a (ee' Ada$"2 With that, he le t the o i&e"

Ro an and %ebb wat&'ed t'e &'o((er vanis' into t'e distan&e before oin to t'e van liveried wit' t'e de&al of t'e %estern )ir inia %ater A*t'ority. T'e (ilot 'ad &alled a'ead to make s*re t'e ve'i&le was waitin for t'em. T'ey 'ad (*t down in a deserted &ar (ark on t'e s'ore of Carvins Cove Reservoir. It was t'e only o*t of t'e way lo&ation t'ey &o*ld find &lose to t'eir destination. Ro an o(ened t'e rear of t'e van and tossed %ebb a (air of overalls. +,*t t'ese on. T'is way we won-t attra&t attention to o*rselves. S'e was lookin at 'im as if 'e 'ad one mad. +%'at, 'ere/. 0e looked at 'er, t'en s'ook 'is 'ead, +Sorry, I-m not *sed to workin wit' women, &'an e in t'e ba&k of t'e van, I-ll stay o*t 'ere.. %ebb &limbed in t'e van and s'*t t'e door. T'e rear was &ram(ed wit' tools and (ie&es of e1*i(ment makin it awkward to &'an e &lot'es. After a few min*tes of twistin and t*rnin s'e mana ed it. #eavin t'e van, s'e fo*nd Ro an field stri((in a 0e&kler and 2o&' M, 3 on a nearby (i&ni& table. 0e was now wearin 'is own set of water a*t'ority overalls. +Is t'at t'in really oin to be ne&essary/. +I like to be (re(ared for all event*alities, so yes it is.. S'e wat&'ed in silen&e as 'e e4(ertly reassembled t'e *n. T'ere was somet'in abo*t Ro an t'at made 'er feel safe, b*t 'ow lon t'ey wo*ld stay safe, s'e did not know. Inside, s'e was terrified es(e&ially knowin w'at seemed like t'e f*ll wei 't of t'e Federal $overnment was bein levied a ainst t'em. +%'at do we do now/. 0e finis'ed reassemblin t'e *n, t'en looked *( at 'er. +%e &arry on, o talk wit' t'is 2ammler.. +And if federal a ents &ome after *s/. +%e make s*re t'ey don-t &at&' *s. Come on, time to o.. 0e walked over, and &limbed into t'e driver5s side of t'e van. %ebb 6oined 'im. Ro an 'anded 'er a $lo&k 78. +9o* do know 'ow to 'andle a *n. Ri 't/. +:f &o*rse I do.. S'e took t'e wea(on, (*llin ba&k t'e slide to &'e&k a b*llet was &'ambered. Ro an se&*red 'is wea(on before t*rnin on t'e en ine. 0e looked at 'er. +!on-t worry. %e-ll 'ave a &'at wit' t'is 2ammler *y, see w'at 'e knows t'en we-ll o to ro*nd, it-ll be a walk in t'e (ark.. S'e ave 'im a t'in smile. +I 'o(e yo*-re ri 't, I really do.. T'ey set off alon Reservoir Road, 'eadin towards Roanoke. +,rofessor, et in 'ere,. Bane &alled o*t. 0e went over to t'e man, for&ed 'im to 'is knees. Trotsky stood lookin *( at t'e bell devi&e, s'o&k and awe written all over 'is fa&e. +%'o are yo*, and %'atever yo*5ve done, yo* need to sto( it now,. Bane (rodded t'e man wit' t'e m*;;le of 'is wea(on. +My names 0offman. It-s im(ossible. I &annot. I-m sayin not'in else.. ,rofessor $*yler and Jennifer &ame into t'e room. 0e took one look at t'e

devi&e, t'en ran over to t'e &ontrol (anel. +0e said 'e-s overloaded t'e devi&e,. Bane told 'im. +I know, I &an tell by t'e so*nd it-s emittin .. 0e looked at t'e &om(*ter s&reen, s'ook 'is 'ead. +It &an-t be *ndone, w'en it blows it will take o*t t'e w'ole base. T'e only way o*t is...No, it-s im(ossible.... 0is voi&e drifted off, as 'e &ame ba&k to stand wit' Bane. +%'at,,rofessor/ %'at is t'e only way o*t/. 0e was lookin at Bane wit' fear filled 'is eyes. +Into t'e (ast, we follow t'em.. Bane looked *( at t'e devi&e. A (*lsatin bl*e mist swirled aro*nd it. ,in(ri&ks of li 't s(arkled wit'in it, like fireflies on a stormy ni 't. +I do not like t'e so*nd of t'at,. Trotsky said. +Me neit'er, . Bane said, as 'e looked at ea&' of t'em in t*rn, +B*t I don-t t'ink we 'ave a &'oi&e.. +T'e &onne&tion to 7<=3 is 'oldin for now, so if we-re oin it-ll 'ave to be now,. t'e (rofessor said. >9ea', b*t we-ll be tra((ed, I t'ink I-d rat'er die 'ere, t'an t'ro* ' t'ere,. Trotsky said, *sin 'is *n m*;;le to indi&ate t'e swirlin mist. +And, I-m a Jew, 'ow do yo* t'ink t'at-ll o down in 0itlers b*nker/. +2oeni m*st know of a way ba&k 'ere, I don-t t'ink 'e wo*ld risk 'is ne&k on a one way tri(,. t'e (rofessor (ointed o*t. +"no* ' talkin ,. Bane said, +%e 'ave no &'oi&e, we o now.. 0e looked at t'e (*lsatin mists, swirlin aro*nd t'e devi&e, t'e last t'in Bane wanted was to enter t'at maelstrom, b*t anyt'in was better t'an stayin 'ere. And if t'ey made it t'ro* ' t'ey still 'ad time to (revent 2oeni from w'atever 'e was *( to. Jennifer moved to stand ne4t to Bane. +I-m wit' Adam, everyone 'ere is oin to die, b*t if we 'ave a &'an&e to sto( 2oeni , t'en we 'ave to take it.. T'eir minds fo&*ssed on t'e (roblem at 'and. T'ey 'ad for otten abo*t 0offman. %'ile t'ey were talkin , t'ey did not see 'im (i&k *( t'e A2?=8 w'i&' lay on a nearby table. 0e sw*n it towards t'em, and o(ened fire. T'e 'o*se t'ey were lookin for lay at t'e end of a lon driveway off %illiamson Road. A Colonial two story 'o*se s*rro*nded by dense woodland. Ro an (*lled t'e van off t'e road, ot o*t, and lifted t'e 'ood. T'is made it a((ear t'at t'ey 'ad en ine tro*ble. %ebb 6oined 'im. Traffi& was s(arse, and no one (aid t'em any attention. +%'at-s t'e (lan/. S'e asked. Ro an rabbed a &li(board off t'e das' and 'anded it to 'er. +Take a walk *( to t'e 'o*se, don-t worry I-ll be nearby. kno&k on t'e door, tell w'oever answers yo*5re from t'e %ater A*t'ority doin a s*rvey of 'o*se'olders, et t'eir names.. S'e retrieved t'e $lo&k from t'e van, and st*ffed it inside 'er &overalls, t'en waited for a break in traffi& before walkin a&ross to t'e drive. %ebb looked ba&k over 'er s'o*lder. Ro an 'ad vanis'ed. T'e day was a 'ot one, so s'e was ratef*l for t'e &oolin s'adows &ast by t'e trees borderin t'e drive. 0er stoma&' was doin somersa*lts as 'er feet &arried

'er *( t'e windin drive to t'e 'o*se. T'ro* ' t'e trees, s'e &o*ld see t'e 'o*se. A dark &olo*red S@) was (arked o*t front, b*t t'ere were no ot'er si ns of life. T'e so*nds of birds twitterin in t'e trees anno*n&ed 'er a((roa&' to t'e front of t'e 'o*se. S'e ro*nded t'e last &*rve, and now anyone in t'e 'o*se wo*ld see 'er. T'ere was no movement. %ebb sto((ed, and made a (reten&e of lookin at t'e &li(board, t'en ba&k at t'e 'o*se. S'e started walkin a ain w'en t'e r*stle of b*s'es to 'er ri 't drew 'er attention. A man dressed in &amo*fla ed &ombats ste((ed into view. 0e was aimin a sn*b?nosed ma&'ine *n at 'er. +!on-t move, miss.. %ebb-s mo*t' went dry, and 'er 'eart t'*m(ed, s'e slowly raised 'er 'ands. T'e man s(oke into a mi&ro('one se&*red in 'is ri 't 'and &*ff. +I-ve ot 'er.. Anot'er, similarly attired and armed, man emer ed from t'e tree line off to 'er left. +%'at-s oin on, I-m from t'e %ater A*t'ority, doin a.... +S*re yo* are Miss %ebb, et on yo*r knees, 'ands on yo*r 'ead.. +S'e &om(lied wit' t'e mans instr*&tions, and wondered w'ere t'e 'ell, Ro an was, or 'ad t'ey ot 'im too. T'e front door to t'e 'o*se o(ened. A man in a bla&k s*it ste((ed o*t, followed by an older man in a w'eel &'air. >$o ba&k in t'e 'o*se, Mr 2em(, we-ve ot t'e sit*ation *nder &ontrol,. t'e man to 'er left said. So t'is was fat'er and son, %ebb t'o* 't. S'e looked intently at t'e man in t'e w'eel &'air, $eneral !r 0ans Friedri&' 2arl Fran; 2ammler, 'e was t'in, 'is bald 'ead 'ad a few s(arse 'airs, and liver s(ots. T'ere was also an arro ant air to 'is bearin , and a t'in sneer &*rled t'e ed e of 'is mo*t'. 0is eyes bored into 'er, a (redator e4aminin its (rey. +9o* s'o*ld 'ave left well alone Miss %ebb.. T'e two s'ots almost so*nded as one. %ebb flin&'ed. T'e armed men were kno&ked off t'eir feet. Ro an a((eared from aro*nd t'e &orner of t'e 'o*se, armed wit' 'is own $lo&k, t'e M,3 se&*red by a stra( over 'is s'o*lder. 0e (*t two more b*llets into t'em, makin s*re t'ey were dead. 2em( w'irled, oin for somet'in in 'is 6a&ket. Ro an sw*n aro*nd to (oint t'e *n at 'im. +9o*-ll be dead before t'at *n &lears its 'olster.. 2em( fro;e, looked defeated. +Two fin ers, take it o*t, slowly, and toss it to my (artner.. T'e man did as re1*ested. %ebb 6*m(ed to 'er feet, and retrieved t'e (istol before 6oinin Ro an at t'e 'o*se. +Cover t'em w'ile I 'ide t'e bodies.. %ebb took o*t 'er $lo&k, and (ointed bot' (istols at t'em. T'ey silently stared ba&k at 'er. Ro an made s'ort work of loadin t'e bodies in t'e S@), before ret*rnin . +:kay, everyone in t'e 'o*se.. %it'o*t a word, 2ammler w'eeled 'imself t'ro* ' t'e door followed by 'is son, Ro an, and %ebb &ame be'ind t'em. S'e &losed t'e door.

T'ey were in an airy foyer. Stairs in front of t'em led to t'e *((er floor. A s'ort 'all ad6a&ent t'e stairs led to a &losed door. :ff to t'e left and ri 't of t'em were &losed doors. +Anyone else 'ere/ . Ro an asked. +No,. 2em( said, like a s*llen &'ild. Ro an indi&ated t'e door to t'e ri 't. +Inside if yo* (lease.. 2em( o(ened t'e door and led t'em into a &reamy walled, (leasantly f*rnis'ed livin room. Fren&' doors at t'e far end led o*t to a s*nlit lass &onservatory. 2ammler w'eeled 'imself into t'e &entre of t'e room. 2em( sat on a leat'er sofa, ne4t to a lar e o(en fire(la&e. +%'at do yo* want wit' *s/ My dad-s si&k, we 'ave money in a safe *(stairs.. +9ea', yo*r dads si&k all ri 't, 6*st like t'e rest of t'e Na;i ,arty was,. Ro an said. +I don-t know w'at.... 2em( be an. 2ammler 'eld *( 'is 'and. +"no* ', t'ey know w'o I am,. 'e said, 'is voi&e 'eld a sli 't tra&e of 'is $erman a&&ent. %ebb moved to a &'air be'ind Ro an. +$ood, we &an &*t t'e &ra(, w'at do yo* know abo*t $e'eime Staat, and a &ree( &alled 2oeni /. +I-ve never 'eard of eit'er name,. 2ammler said, after a brief (a*se. T'e (a*se before answerin told Ro an t'e man was lyin . 0e strolled aro*nd t'e room, sto((in every now and a ain to look at t'e n*mero*s framed ('otos t'at dotted t'e room. "a&' one s'owed 2ammler and 'is son. %'at Ro an ained from t'is was a (i&t*re of a man (ro*d of 'is off?s(rin . T'is was a &onvenient 'ook for Ro an. 0e t*rned aro*nd to t'e two men. +9o*-ve &ome a lon way, !r 2ammler. Made a ni&e life for yo*rself 'ere in Ameri&a.. +I-ve done w'at I 'ad to do, (a', yo*r &o*ntry 'as benefited from t'e knowled e I bro* 't wit' me.. +Indeed, now, we don-t 'ave m*&' time, and I need answers to my 1*estions. I know, and yo* know, yo*-re tellin me lies.. +I &annot tell yo* w'at I don-t know.. Ro an was a bl*r, des(ite 'is lim(. 0e smas'ed 'is (istol into 2em(-s fa&e. T'e man-s nose e4(loded in a &lo*d of red. 0e &ried o*t, and fell ba&k, 'is 'ands oin to 'is fa&e. 2ammler looked a 'ast at w'at Ro an 'ad 6*st done. +Now,. Ro an &ontin*ed in an even tone, +Answer my 1*estion, or I will &ontin*e to '*rt yo*r son.. 0e looked at Ro an wit' 'ate in 'is eyes. %ebb st*died t'e man w'o 'ad been (art of one of t'e most infamo*s re imes t'e world 'ad ever known. It was 'ard to believe t'e man before 'er was t'e ar&'ite&t of t'e Na;i deat' &am(s, and res(onsible for t'e demolition of t'e %arsaw $'etto. Now all t'at was left was a sad dereli&t '*sk of a man, a man w'o s'o*ld not be 'ere in t'is time and (la&e. S'e &o*ld almost smell t'e (oison t'at infe&ted men like 'im. To t'ink t'at 'e 'ad made 'is (la&e amon st normal (eo(le made 'er s'*dder wit' rev*lsion. ,art of 'er wanted to rea&' o*t and stran le t'e man wit' 'er bare 'ands, to see t'e life o o*t of 'is eyes, b*t even t'at wo*ld be too ood a deat'.

2ammler si 'ed. A((eared to sink into 'imself. +%e dis&overed t'e time travel as(e&ts of die lo&ke 1*ite by a&&ident, yo* know.. +:kay, tell *s all of it,. Ro an (er&'ed 'imself on t'e arm of %ebb-s &'air. +And it was s'ortly after t'at we fo*nd o*t we were oin to lose t'e war..

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