“That’s what I was thinking. As soon as I got here and saw it, I knew it had to be one and the same. That’s another reason I didn’t want it left back at Robeson Avenue.”
“So I’d recommend that we use the size of this group we’ve assembled to our advantage,” The Dark Gentleman said. “Split up into three groups. Send one overseas to see if they can get into Germany. Leave another group here to protect Sovereign in case our enemies come this direction. The third group can go to Washington since that also figured into The Peregrine’s vision.”
Morgan seemed dubious. “So one group goes to Washington and does what? Listens to the radio? We have no idea what timetable any of these things have. That vision about the White House could be something that takes place ten years from now.”
“It won’t be that long,” Lazarus said. “I’m sure of that. We’re looking at something that could start breaking within days, if not hours. I do agree, though, that splitting up seems to make the most sense. I propose that I lead one group, Gravedigger takes one and The Peregrine commands the third.”
The Peregrine nodded. “Makes sense. So we just need to figure out who goes where.”
“And for that,” Mitchell said, “I think you three should have some privacy. How about the rest of us go grab a few drinks and maybe have some sandwiches? That way our fearless leaders can debate our strengths and weaknesses without worrying about hurting our fragile egos.”
A murmuring of assents followed and soon the majority of the heroes had vacated the room.
Gravedigger muttered, “Nobody even asked if we wanted sandwiches.”
The Peregrine smiled. “I think they were just anxious to avoid having to make these decisions.”
Lazarus didn’t seem interested in making any pleasantries. “Counting us, there are ten people to be assigned to the three groups. I think it makes sense for Gravedigger to remain here in Sovereign since both The Peregrine and I have private planes that can be used to travel to Washington and Europe.”
Gravedigger accepted that quickly enough. She had been thinking along those same lines, in fact. “I’m certain that The Dark Gentleman will want to stay in the city, too. He’s pretty single-minded about cleaning up Sovereign.”
“Agreed. Might I suggest that the Sovereign team consist of Gravedigger, The Dark Gentleman and Cedric Hendry? I think the three of you can handle things quite well.”
Gravedigger wasn’t surprised that Lazarus would be the one to take charge. It fit with his personality, which didn’t always please her. “Fine. How about the Washington team features Lazarus, Li Yuchun, Mitchell Williams and Eun Jiwon?”
Lazarus considered it and quickly agreed. “It might be hard for them to hide in Germany, that’s true. The current climate over there isn’t conducive for non-Aryan peoples.”
The Peregrine crossed his arms over his chest. “That leaves Samantha Grace, Morgan Watts and Catalyst to accompany me to Germany. Good group.”
“We need to stay in touch,” Gravedigger said. “I’m sure the two of you have some way of doing that?”
The Peregrine reached into one of his pockets and pulled forth a tiny receiver, small enough to fit into a person’s ear. “I put a lot of money into relay stations secreted throughout the U.S. and quite a bit of Europe, as well. The farther apart we are, the most static you’ll receive but we should be able to reach each other and share updates about our status.”
“Then I’d say we should get started,” Lazarus said.
“Let our friends enjoy their sandwiches,” The Peregrine replied. “It might be the most peace and quiet they ever get.”
In Berlin, a much darker meeting was taking place. It was an overcast day in the city, emphasizing much of the dull architecture that was being erected all over the Reich’s capital. Dieter, Darhoth, Vulthar and Mr. Death were all gathered in Himmler’s office, a map of the globe spread out across his desk.
Himmler looked displeased and his voice reflected that as he asked, “And this has to be done? The Füehrer was surprisingly agreeable to this talk of a partnership but now you expect me to tell him that you’re sneaking off to Washington, D.C.? Preposterous!”
Darhoth was now dressed in a black uniform, similar to those worn by the S.S. She liked the propensity for darkness and ritual shown by the Nazis. Her long hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail that hung down her back. “My goals are wide-ranging ones, Herr Himmler, as I have explained. Mr. Death will go to Sovereign City. There is a mystic artifact there that can aid us. It taps into the emotional spectrum and can amplify it. Vulthar will remain here with Dieter to help with your Occult Forces Project and also to help prepare the way for my own allies. I will go to this… Washington, D.C.”
“Why? You have failed to make that clear to me.”
Darhoth seized a pencil and began to draw on the map. She circled several spots and then drew straight lines between them. By the time she was done, a pentagram had been sketched, with the exact center located at the site of America’s capital. “Because there are things in this world that your small mind cannot comprehend! Long ago, my brethren were locked away but our remaining forces made plans for their return. Vulthar will begin conducting several rituals here that will awaken the others… Mr. Death will seize hold of the device that will allow us to increase our hold over despair and chaos, two things upon which my kind feed, and I will be at the heart of it all, waiting to make the final move that will plunge your world into the hands of the Old Ones.”
“And into the hands of the Füehrer,” Himmler pointed out.
“But of course.”
Mr. Death sprang forward, leaping onto Himmler’s desk. He knocked the map askew and so startled the Nazi that Himmler nearly toppled out of his chair. The skull-faced man brought his visage close to Himmler’s and cackled, “Don’t be a fool, Herr Himmler! This is a marriage of the worst kind of convenience! She’s going to stab you in the back sooner than you can cry foul!” He held his palms upward and added, “Of course, you’d do the same to each of us so we’re good with it!”
Himmler stared at the horrific figure and tried to reconcile this madman with the Otto Luther he’d met previously. It was difficult, to say the least. Standing up, Himmler adjusted his uniform and turned his gaze upon Darhoth, though he still preferred to think of her as Sonya Schneider. “We will get you into the United States but I would caution you to be quiet until your plans are too far along to be foiled. America has a number of individuals capable of disrupting your actions. In fact, I have sent word that an agent dubbed Nimrod is to be placed at your disposal. He is on his way to Sovereign as we speak.”
Mr. Death chuckled. “So he’ll be at my disposal, then? With the emphasis on disposal…”
“That’s enough,” Vulthar said. He was looking at Mr. Death with undisguised distaste. “You’re going to frighten poor Herr Himmler.”
“It would take far more than him to accomplish that,” Himmler stammered though his tone made it clear that the opposite was true. He waved his hand dismissively. “Let me know what you need.”
“We will,” Darhoth replied. She spun on her heels and led her companions from the room. Her movements were quite sensual now as she’d grown comfortable with her new skin. The sway of her hips was second nature now and she relished the way that these human men drank in her beauty.