That got gasps from the men in the room. The men began looking in wonder at each other. Either the Major had lost his mind or there was real trouble.
“I have just come from a face-to-face meeting with Reichminister Albert Speer. The man leading this plot is a General Kammler who was placed in charge of Germany’s rocket and atomic weapons production and research by Hitler at the end of the war. His second in command is Colonel Heinrich Müller. I am sure you all remember him,” he said. Several of the men blanched at the mention of Müller’s name. Known as “Gestapo Müller,” he was Chief of the Gestapo and had led the purge of Army officers and others after the attempted assassination of Hitler in 1944. His goon squads went through every unit in the army, including theirs. Almost everyone in the room had hoped that Müller had died a painful death.
“Recently there have been major thefts in the area. These include thousands of gallons of kerosene and nitric acid. This combination of liquids is the basis of rocket fuel. Along the way they have killed several people, including Major Al Anderson, our American friend from the end of the war.”
There were more gasps from the group as men recalled only recently sitting with Anderson at the Theresienbrau just a few months earlier.
“Sergeant Betz has found where the bunker for these rockets is. So tonight I am asking you to help me finish the job we started so long ago. I am asking because it is important we do so. You know what is happening now between the US and the Soviets. If they were to launch rockets, it could mean the end of the world as we know it. Germany does not need to step back in time. Germany does not need to be blamed for what these men might do. If I go in with the Army or with the police force, it will get all the wrong attention. We must do this quickly, without anyone knowing. If we are successful, we shall go home without thanks and without recognition. But you will have made a lasting mark on the history of our world,” said Dresner finishing his short speech. “Of course, I cannot order you to come. If anyone feels he cannot, I will think no less of you. I am asking your help,” he said solemnly.
Dresner reached into his briefcase and pulled out the cap from his desk. It was his old army field cap from the war. The outline of the German eagle with the swastika still showed where he had removed it long ago, but the cap still fit well as he pulled it tight over his head.
Across the room, the men stood and pulled out their own caps to put them on. No one spoke. They were beyond that. Their Major had called and they would follow his orders. Despite the years, the order and discipline were still there. Each man had a look of determination on his face. This was a noble and just cause — something worthy of their service. Each man came to attention once again.
Sergeant Betz faced Dresner and saluted. “The men are ready, Herr Major.”
Dresner smiled at his men. “Then get in your vehicles and follow me,” he said. Without a word the men filed out of the room and out of the pub. The hunt was on.
Eric hung up the phone and turned to the others. “Something is wrong. Herr Dresner says we must leave this house now. He is very insistent. Gather your things,” he said firmly. Dresner had that edge to his voice which got Eric’s attention. He sounded slightly frightened. If that was the case, something must be very wrong indeed.
“But we just got here,” said Anna, not knowing what was going on.
Helga was already on her feet. She knew Rolf Dresner and if he said go they must go. “Never mind that,” she said. “Let me get my coat and we can go in my car.”
“I don’t think anyone is going anywhere,” came a voice from across the hall. Hans Kemper was standing there with two other men. All had on black pants, a white shirt with a black tie and a red arm band with the symbol of Nazi Germany. Each man held a pistol pointed at Eric and the others. Eric and Anna stood awestruck. Helga began to back away. All of the horrible memories of those times came flooding back and fear gripped her tightly. Yet something within her wanted to lash out. Helga suddenly stood tall and glared at Hans.
“How dare you wear something like that in this house! I had enough of you and your kind. You dragged all of Europe into the dirt and now you want to show your face again? Get out. Never let me see that face of yours again. Get out!” she screamed.
Hans calmly walked to Helga and struck her across the face, sending her reeling onto the floor. “Gag and bind her,” he hissed. “Make sure she cannot get away. I will deal with her later,” he said.
After watching his two assistants tie Helga securely to a chair and force a gag in her mouth, Kemper turned back to Eric and Anna, who were still in shock. “It seems you picked a poor time to come home,” said Hans. “But it is good that you are here to see the start of a new world. Both of you, come with me,” he said, gesturing with his pistol for the two to move toward the hallway. The other two in uniformed moved to either side of the couple and urged them on. Reaching a side door to the basement, the group entered and descended the steps to the wine cellar. Although several of the racks now held bottles of wine the rest remained empty. Kemper led the group to the left large cask. Reaching along the back edge of the cask against the wall, he tripped a lever and the cask pulled away revealing an open door.
“That way,” said Kemper, again motioning with his pistol. The group was escorted down a passageway with smooth white walls and a stone floor. After thirty feet the passage turned left and descended a set of stairs to another level. Along this passage were several metal doors on either side. There were numbers by each door. One of the doors on the right side was open revealing a bunkroom with clothing draped along the beds. A little farther down the passage they passed through a large, thick metal door which was recessed into the wall. It looked almost alike a bank vault door and appeared to be able to seal off the entire corridor.
The passageway ended in a “T.” They turned right to another stairway which doubled back to a third level. The passage nearly doubled in size. One of the first doors on the left had a window with bars. Eric caught a glimpse of weapons and other gear. Next to it was a wooden door which Hans opened. The group went inside.
Seated behind a desk was SS General Kammler. He had been on the phone and placed the handset into the cradle. After a brief moment a smile crossed his face. “Ahh, Herr Anderson, it is good to finally meet you at long last. We have been keeping a close eye on you and your family.” He motioned to two chairs and Eric and Ann were pushed into them. Hans and the two men stood behind them. “Quite a place I have here is it not?” he asked.
Eric stared at the man a moment before answering. “Yes, general, it is impressive. My family and I had no idea there were Nazi’s burrowed into our mountain. Since you obviously plan to kill us, I’d like to know what you are doing here,” he said.
Kammler sat back and laughed. “Kill you? I have no such plans. After tonight you may leave and be on your way.”
Eric took on a questioning look. “I don’t understand. We may leave?”
“Of course. By this time tomorrow morning the world will have changed and you will be free to live in Innsbruck or you may go back to the United States, although there may be a few changes by then,” Kammler said calmly.
“What kind of changes?”
Kammler shrugged. “Well, it probably will no longer exist,” he said.
The flippancy of the remark stunned Eric. This man had something diabolical in mind and it did not look favorable. In his current situation he could not fight and it would not pay to upset his captors. Eric figured it was easier to humor the man and find out as much as possible. “My I know how you plan on doing this? After all, we are in Austria, a long way from my home.”