The group entered an elevator and descended several floors, emerging to see a mini subway station. This was the main backbone of the complex. On three levels subways were designed to move personnel and equipment from one end of the vast complex to another. After a quick ride, the car stopped and the group was met by another older man.
“Albert, how are you? Was your trip satisfactory?” said the man, who looked about sixty-five years old.
“Ah, yes, Herrman. It was very good. I brought an associate with me. Allow me to present Dieter Blocher. This is his first visit to the complex. ”
Dieter Blocher stepped forward and offered his hand. “Dieter Blocher at your service, sir,” he stated very formally.
“Yes, so this is Mr. Blocher,” the old man said, shaking Blocher’s hand with an iron grip that frankly startled Blocher. “I finally get to meet you. I am Herrman Kunze.”
Dieter recognized the name. Jackson had filled him in on a few people he would most likely meet during this visit. Mr. Kunze was one of them. Kunze was the Administrative head of Fortress Alpha and reported directly to the Führer herself. This put him in charge of most every facet of the site.
“So Mr. Blocher, what do you think of our little secret hiding place?” asked Kunze, not really expecting an answer. Kunze was already sizing Blocher up. Looking for weakness; looking for maturity. For Blocher to take over Jackson’s position in Miami was a big step for this young man. Kunze was convinced by Jackson and others that Blocher was the best candidate. Kunze was not a hundred percent certain. This visit would either solidify Blocher’s case or be his downfall.
Blocher was all eyes and ears. Jackson taught him well. Always be observant and speak succinctly only when it is absolutely necessary, Jackson told him. Dieter took the advice to heart.
“The complex is magnificent,” said Blocher without emotion. “It is a fitting site for the resurrection of the Fourth Reich.”
Kunze smiled slightly. That was a good answer, he thought. Blocher sounded like some of those SS officers from days gone by.
The officer that led them to Kunze stepped forward. He waved the group toward a large steel door. As the group stepped through the opening, the character of the surroundings changed drastically. The other portion of the complex had a very clean industrial look about it. It reminded Blocher of a hospital. This area looked like a fine home. The walls were covered with a beautiful mahogany paneling as was the ceiling. The hardwood floors were covered with rich carpeting with a reoccurring pattern of old world castles. The guards were not present. Still one got the distinct feeling of constant surveillance. And so they were. Small high-definition cameras were deftly imbedded in the ceilings and walls. No one was beyond the range of the cameras.
“This way, please,” beckoned the officer as he opened a large mahogany door and stood at attention.
The group entered the room. Blocher was amazed. He had seen many opulent buildings and hotels in his time but this was beyond those. This was fit for royalty.
“Please take a seat, gentlemen,” offered Kunze. “We will be joined momentarily by our Führer.” The room had a large desk at one end and conference table at the other. The men seated themselves around the conference table leaving the head chair open. Within minutes a hidden door near the desk opened. An impeccably uniformed officer stepped through.
“Actung!” The officer had a strong voice along with a loud pop as his heels clicked together.
Everyone in the room rose quickly. All eyes were on the open panel door. Two other officers came in followed immediately by Kaete Grimme. She was dressed in a simple, black uniform. She walked over to the head of the table briskly and stood, eyeing everyone in the group. She paused for a moment, smiled and walked over to Jackson.
“Herr Jackson, it is so very good to see you again.”
“Thank you, Mein Führer,” Jackson answered as they shook hands. Blocher was stunned. Grimme looked past Jackson at Blocher.
“I assume this is Dieter Blocher,” she said.
“Yes, Mein Führer. May I present to you Herr Dieter Blocher.”
She stepped over to Blocher and offered her hand. Blocher took her hand. She shook his hand twice and then pushed his hand away, a point of behavior she had learned from royalty. This prevented any long handshakes from those enamored with meeting her.
“I am very happy to meet you, Herr Blocher. I am certain you will serve us well in your new assignment.”
“Thank you, Mein Führer,” Blocher said strongly and succinctly.
Both Kunze and Jackson took note. Dieter had handled the introduction very well. Kunze mentally racked another plus down for Blocher.
Grimme turned and returned to the head of the table and sat down. The rest of the group sat down.
“Gentlemen, we are on the verge of what we have worked toward for more than fifty years. What our fathers and forefathers worked so hard to create. We are once again on the verge of world domination,” stated Grimme with little emotion. Dieter had goose bumps running up and down his arms and neck. He could not believe what he was hearing.
“Here at Fortress Alpha we are now ramping up to one hundred percent output in production. Our work was started by our predecessors. We have worked very hard to build upon their findings and move forward. Our scientists have now perfected the greatest scientific breakthrough in the history of man.” She paused to let what she had said sink in. “We are now making our own gold!”
The group leapt to their feet and began their applause. Blocher was right with them although hearing this was as astounding to him as Jesus Christ walking in through the door. Make gold? My God, how in the hell was that possible? Surely she meant “mine” our own gold. If you can make gold, the future is limitless. Of course, Dieter knew of the gold shipment back to the United States. Jackson and he handled the financial recordkeeping of the transfers. But he had no idea where the gold came from other than Brazil. And that gold was created here at Fortress Alpha? Blocher’s head was swimming.
Grimme raised her hand and the group was seated.
“As we all know, we embarked upon a plan to conquer the world back in the 1930’s. Since then many others gave their lives to transfer that plan to Brazil after the fall of the Third Reich. Our forefathers risked everything to see that we had the ability to further our cause,” she explained.
“Now their work and our work are yielding great rewards. We have plans to overwhelm the world markets and bring them to their knees. We will succeed in doing what our beloved Führer Adolph Hitler was unable to do with brute force. We will conquer the world but through the strangling of its financial system. The actions have been set into motion. Within a year we will control the gold market and control the world.”
The men stood again applauding. Dieter was proud to be here in this room. This was a great moment for the Fourth Reich and they were all part of its birth.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Ben Jamison and Lee Watson waited hoping to hear something from the Finley party. He, Lee or one of his men staunchly stood by the radio the entire time. Many times each day and night they attempted to contact the Finleys by radio. The result was nothing but static.
“Something’s definitely happened to them,” Ben said quietly under his breath. “I just know it. It’s not like Randall to not get back to us somehow.”
Tecal, one of Ben’s trusted natives, was sitting at Ben’s side at the table. Tecal worked with Ben and Lee for ten years and knew Randall, Dana and Manolo well. He accompanied Randall on one of his solo treks a few years ago while Dana stayed back at Princeton. Tecal knew the jungle well and also knew that the jungle carried many dangers.