“Yes, Your Majesty,” Thorne nodded, explaining. “That was a conscious decision on our part: we required men we judged would be loyal to the task of standing against Germany, but whose judgement wouldn’t be unduly influenced by those loyalties in the event of an invasion. For similar reasons, we purposefully excluded anyone from European armed forces or from the Japanese Self Defence Force, although the Japanese Government was eager to provide personnel along with the huge amount of technical expertise it did supply. Americans and Australians were deemed to be preferable choices due to their unique positions as relatively isolated ‘Western’ allies.”
“For whatever reason,” Edward continued, conceding to Thorne’s knowledge of 21st Century politics, “these are the citizens of sovereign allied and neutral nations, and the governments of the countries involved will need to be advised regarding what’s going on. I know that Brigadier Hore-Ruthven, the Australian Governor-General has been bombarded with continual questions from Prime Minister Menzies over the last twelve months, ever since the RAAF began constructing a two-mile-long concrete runway in the middle of the Australian bush at our request. It will be nice to be able to explain to him what this has all been about…” he gave a thin smile “…even if he may initially think the King of England to be as mad as a hatter!”
“I think that would be a good idea, Sire,” Thorne agreed. “The sooner the other Commonwealth Countries and the United States are also provided with some of our technological assistance the better… particularly the Americans with their incredible manufacturing capabilities. In a year or so — perhaps even sooner — there’s a very good chance we’ll also be at war in the Pacific against the Japanese.”
“At any rate,” Churchill interjected, recognising that time was getting on, “that’s neither here nor there at the moment although, we should do well to discuss it at a later date. One more point, by the way,” he added, turning back to Thorne. “When I was first presented with your colleague, Nicholas Alpert, he so impressed me that I organised a commission as a brigadier with the army to aid him in getting things done. As things now stand, I’m heartily glad that I did so. To that end, this unit will require a higher commanding rank now in order to maintain the priority it will require. There are a lot of people in places of authority who will not know of the truth behind this place, and who will not be likely to listen to someone of so ‘low’ a rank as a brigadier.” He threw a quick glance at Dowding, the man giving an imperceptible nod. He understood immediately what the Prime Minister was getting at, and in this case seemed to be in complete accordance. “I understand that where you came from, Mister Thorne, you were a squadron leader with the Royal Australian Air Force?”
“That’s correct, Prime Minister…or at least, I once was…” Thorne conceded, uncertain of what was coming.
“Well, my good fellow, the fliers of the RAAF serving with us have already certainly proven their ability as pilots and leaders, and I have seen no reason to believe you to be any different — particularly with the glowing praise Brigadier Alpert here has heaped upon you during these last twelve months. Air Chief Marshal Dowding, I think, will support me in this: I wish to offer you a commission in the Royal Air Force at the rank of Air Vice Marshal, effective immediately.”
Thorne was dumbstruck. His mouth dropped slightly open as his mind seized up while trying vainly to think of something appropriate to say. He’d never envisaged leadership of the unit as entailing these kinds of side effects.
“I think you should say something, Max,” Eileen Donelson suggested softly in his ear, smiling. “You’ll be catching flies, soon!”
“Will that be satisfactory for your needs, Air Vice Marshal Thorne?” The Prime Minister inquired, beaming over the minor spectacle he’d orchestrated.
“Uh — uh yes… Y–yes, sir, thank you — that would be more than sufficient!”
“Excellent!” Churchill declared. “You can expect the requisite paperwork to arrive within forty-eight hours.”
“Have Brigadier Alpert pass on your measurements this afternoon, and I’ll personally ensure a set of uniforms down here by the end of the week,” The King added, also smiling faintly. “I’m sure my tailors will be happy to run them up for you.”
At the request of The King, the entire Hindsight group stood at attention on the flight line an hour later, masked from the cool, morning sunlight by the shadow of the huge Galaxy. Most of the forty personnel present wore their respective 21st Century dress uniforms, resulting in a rather diverse appearance that was somewhat out-of-place. A large wooden crate was all that could be found at short notice, and it was this that Edward VIII stood upon to address the men before him as the rest of his entourage, Prime Minister included, stood respectfully in a line a metre or two behind. The King’s outward physical appearance was unremarkable in his grey, tailored suit, however all present knew who they were listening too and the tension in the air was palpable as he prepared to speak.
“Members of Hindsight…” he began slowly, his tone strong and filled with camaraderie. “Welcome guests from Britain, Australia, the United States of America… and the future. As you are no doubt aware, the free world and the Empire currently face the most dire emergency in history. You who stand here now before me have given the greatest sacrifice any might give, save that of their own lives, in a valiant attempt to reverse this savage violation of history that Nazi Germany has forced upon the planet. For this, and on behalf of the government and people of Great Britain and the Empire, I thank you. I also thank you on behalf of the colleagues and good friends I have in President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Menzies: although they are yet to be made aware of your existence, I can say with some confidence that they will be in complete agreement with the sentiments expressed here this morning.
“You are a group of hand-picked, dedicated men — and, of course, Commander Donelson also…” he added quickly, gaining a general chuckle and an embarrassed smile from the quickly-reddening naval officer in question “…who have given up everything of the world you’ve left behind in order to save it from total annihilation.” He paused to add weight to his slow, thoughtful speech. “This valour shall not go unrecognised or unrewarded. As King of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Empire, I welcome you all and offer you this new, grateful home with open arms!” As he spread his arms in illustration of the last line, a general cheer rose among the men of the Hindsight Unit accompanied by raucous applause. Those words directly addressed fears many had been harbouring since their trip ‘back’ and did much to assuage feelings uncertainty and unease.
The Berghof
Berchtesgaden, Germany
A bare hint of cloud glistened above jagged mountain tops on the western horizon as the summer sun set that afternoon over the Berchtesgaden Alps. Part of the greater Northern Limestone Alps, the mountain range was bordered by the Salzach and Salaach Rivers to the east and west respectively and was home to both the Konigsee, Germany’s third deepest lake, and the Watzmann, the country’s third-highest peak, standing at 2,713 metres. Rocky summits rose from fir-covered mountainsides all around to tower above deep, sweeping valleys as far as the eye could see.