“If one thing has come out of today’s debacle,” he continued, “it’s that Reuters knows our current weaknesses, and he’ll want to exploit those quickly before we have a chance to bolster our defences. Next time they come, they’re certain to come in force. I’ve seen the reports of raids against supply centres and railheads by medium and heavy bombers over the last month… they’re testing their new toys, and they know that they work. Everything else we need, we can take care of through normal channels, but give us those fighters and I guarantee you we’ll do everything we can to stop the German War Machine dead in its tracks.”
“In anticipation of just this request, I’ve been in direct communication with Air Chief Marshal Dowding this afternoon,” Churchill began slowly, a smile barely playing across his lips. “The Air Vice Marshal sends his regards by the way, and his regrets that pressing matters kept him away tonight. We have, I believe, found a workable compromise that is acceptable to all parties. Ironically, this has only become possible due to information that your own Nick Alpert provided us soon after his arrivaclass="underline" plans that have resulted in the creation of that quite superlative Mustang fighter. You’re aware, no doubt, of the arrival of the first shipments of these Mustangs last month, and we now have two squadrons finishing their conversion training. These squadrons will be posted to your facility within two days: the planning for it has been in the making for several weeks now, but wasn’t finalised until today — both Air Chief Marshal Dowding and Chief of Air Staff Newall extend their apologies for not keeping you informed of our progress in this area.”
Thorne nodded instantly in acceptance of the situation, the axiom of looking at Gift Horses the wrong way telling his instincts to ignore the likelihood that the explanation of why he’d been kept out of the loop probably being no more than an excuse. Considering they were finally getting what they wanted, he was willing to cut a good deal of slack.
“One thing we’ll also need, sir, regarding planning for what direct action Hindsight may take against the Wehrmacht, would be access to any information the SIS has regarding the expected movements of all the enemy’s high-level figures: from Hitler and Reuters through to the commanders of the various army groups… particularly in the Western Theatre. Also, the most current data we have on major German production centres — where the industries are and what density. All of that may be important, depending on what options we ultimately come up with.”
“Everything we have will be delivered to you by special courier within forty-eight hours… I just hope that it will be of some use to you…”
“God willing, Mister Prime Minister — as you said… God willing…” There was a long pause as Churchill locked eyes with him again, as if sizing him up once more.
“You’re personally intending to fly whatever mission you decide on, aren’t you, Mister Thorne?”
“Yes sir, I am.” That answer caused some surprise and emotional consternation with Eileen Donelson, although her military training enabled her to display none of it. “I wouldn’t ask such a thing of anyone else under the circumstances…”
The PM nodded appreciatively, the proud fire of understanding in his eyes. “You’ll have those reports, dear fellow, and you’ll have those fighters… they’re a small price to pay compared to what has already been sacrificed.” And as Sir Winston Churchill rose from his chair, the rest following suit a second later, Thorne accepted the solemn hand that was extended. Inside, he shuddered at the magnitude of the thoughts running through his mind, and he badly wanted a drink…
“Now that all that’s out of the way,” the Prime Minister continued, sitting once more, “there’s another matter we need to discuss… a matter for which I shall hand you over to the capable Mister Gold here.” As he glanced across at Rupert and gave the slightest nod, the young man required no further urging.
“Mister Thorne; I represent a man with widespread business interests and a good deal of wealth. I’m here tonight at his request, and at the request of the British Government, to present to you his offer of financial assistance.”
“‘Financial assistance’…?” Thorne repeated, caught completely by surprise. “I mean no disrespect, but we’ve already been given as much allocation of British industry as can be spared for our development projects, and the War Department hasn’t refused any request we’ve made so far for funding… exactly what ‘assistance’ are you offering? An honest question, Mister Gold: no offence intended.”
“…And none taken, sir,” Rupert replied without batting an eyelid. “The assistance to which I’m referring isn’t intended for use in the current climate. My employer is of a similar opinion to that of yourselves, it appears, in that the Germans are certain to invade England. My employer is also of the firm belief that should the enemy establish a beachhead on English soil, the war is basically lost for us.” He paused just long enough to allow Thorne to acknowledge what he was saying.
“That’d be fairly close to our assessment of the situation, yeah,” the Australian agreed grudgingly, unsure as to where the conversation was going.
“To that end, we’re all interested in seeing to it that even if Britain is lost, the battle against the spread of Fascism and dictatorship is continued throughout the Americas, and the rest of the Commonwealth and Dominions. My employer believes that you’re the man best suited to continue this effort, and that to do this effectively you’ll need — if I can put it so bluntly — money, and lots of it. It’s my employer’s intention to ensure you have all the necessary funding you need to do whatever’s required to continue that fight.”
“Exactly how much ‘assistance’ are we talking about?” Thorne was suddenly very interested in what Rupert had to say. The issue of what would happen once Britain fell to the Germans had been discussed, and escape plans for the immediate future had been worked out in advance, but there still remained the question of what would be needed in the long term. Without current specific backing from any friendly government, it was difficult to predict how Hindsight would be able to maintain their opposition to the New Eagles and continue their plan to correct the course of history.
“The details are all here, including the conditions of acceptance,” Rupert answered, sliding across his own manila folder. “I suspect there should be sufficient funding for any project you deem worthy, in whichever part of the world you so desire.”
Thorne and Eileen huddled close together, reading the information inside the folder together as he opened it out onto the table. There were just two sheets of paper within: one an inventory, while the other was a short list of prerequisites Thorne would be required to sign off on if the funds were to be handed over to him.
“Jesus!” He exclaimed softly, forgetting for a moment that he was in the presence of the prime minister and a high-ranking officer. “Three-point-six long tons of gold…” he nodded his head slowly. “At the current price of gold… what’s that… a million pounds Sterling or thereabouts?” He gave a wry smile. “A million quid would definitely come in handy…”
“Max…!” Eileen cut him off as she laid a hand on his arm and squeezed with some force to gain his attention. “That’s not a decimal point!” As he looked closer at the typed page, he also saw what Donelson had realised: that the mark he’d taken to mean a decimal point was actually a poorly-struck comma. The blood drained from his face as he then finally recognised the ramifications of that discovery.