Most of the lights were now out in the Reichstag. Goebbels pushed aside the mountain of papers that needed to be done by tomorrow and picked up the phone.
“Ja?” On the other end, Lt. Schiller’s voice snapped with obedience even asking a question.
“Get my car ready.”
“Jawol, Herr Minister!”
Goebbels put down the phone and took one last look around his office. He made a metal note of what needed finishing by tomorrow and what could wait.
Except for several sea engagements, there was none of the feared major land or air attacks from Britain or France – just as Hitler had predicted. But how did the Führer know this?
After the fall of Poland, most of the fighting was actually done with propaganda, which meant Joseph Goebbels was in the center of the war in at the start of 1940.
His schedule was completely full; planting misinformation for the allies, painting the designed picture of what Hitler wanted the German people to hear, and most important, presenting the right image to keep the neutral countries out of the way until their neutrality was no longer needed – or until it was their turn to fall. This was the height of the propaganda war – a worldwide propaganda war – and he was principal player.
Tomorrow not only held another full schedule, but promised an important meeting with the Führer as well. As he left his office he began to wonder if it were possible to use Nostradamus in order to have a tactical military impact during the upcoming invasion of France. Could such propaganda be used to confuse the allies so they, for example, would move to the wrong place when the attack came?
Perhaps Magda would have an idea on how using the occult could gain an actual military advantage. An idea he could then present to Hitler and get credit for.
Chapter 5 – The Plan
“Yes, yes, I’m sure he would serve the Reich well,” Hitler said patiently, “but his work, what is your impression of his work?”
Captain Zangermeister now felt the fear return to his throat. Karl Krafft’s work was astrology – what could he say about astrology? Personally, Captain Zangermeister did not believe in astrology, however knew many in the higher positions of the Nazi Party did. Hess, for example was known to be quite an amateur astrologer himself. Did Hitler believe? No one knew, and that was the problem – how do you answer Hitler over a question on astrology if you don’t know if he even believes in it or not…? (Hans, like many close to the Führer, always prepared their answers in contemplation of what they thought Hitler would like to hear.)
Hans mind raced through past known facts and logic. Logic – the force that always saved him during his school years, both in and out of the classroom.
Why would the Third Reich be enlisting the services of this well-known astrologer if there weren’t something relevant about his work? The Captain reasoned in his mind. Wouldn’t such activity have at least Hitler’s approval?
The Hans reflected on his personal relationship with the Führer. Would the Führer be insulted or angry if he said what he really thought about those who practice this hocus pocus, as his father once called it?
Again the files in front of him would help the Captain give an answer.
“He did contact Dr. Fesel’s department on the 2nd of November in 1939 with a warning that the Führer’s life would be in danger from the 7th through the 10th of that month…” Zangemeister began.
Hitler was looking at the painting of Fredrick the Great on his wall, expressionless.
“So, I’ve heard.” The Führer finally said.
The warning turned out to be true, for on November 9th, 1939, an assassination attempt was actually made on Hitler’s life, while he and the other members of the old Nazi guard attended the traditional annual reunion at the Burgerbran Beer Hall in Munch to commemorate the 1923 Putsch attempt. The memory of which, was still fresh in the Fuhrer’s mind.
“He actually used the phrase: ‘Possibility of an assassination attempt by use of an explosive material’. This fact even impressed the skeptical Captain, for it was indeed a bomb hidden in a pillar directly behind the speaker’s rostrum that exploded, killing seven and wounding sixty-three others.
“So I’ve read.” Hitler’s voice gave no indication if he had read the warning before or after the 9th of November. The Führer’s voice suggested the Gestapo captain should continue, however what he should continue with – the Captain did not know.
He flipped through some more pages.
“We have copies of all his horoscope analysis work as far back as March 1924…”, again halfway pulling out some papers, “…and his record for accuracy is impressive”.
“So, I’ve been told.” Hitler turned to gaze out the window and took a long, deep breath – as if he was just about to make a very important decision. It appeared to the Captain that by looking out over the twinkling lights of Berlin, his master somehow became rejuvenated. “Thank you, Herr Captain, that will be all for today.”
Hitler’s eyes followed the pulsing city lights to the horizon, which seemed to merge with the stars beyond-also flickering in the same rhythm. It seemed at this moment he could feel and see the connection between the lights in the heavens and those in his beloved Berlin. “Ah, there is a connection.” He said out loud, but no one was there to hear him.
“You will be more impressed when you find out what we have in here.” Fesel continued. “You see those two rows? All Nostradamus materials. All of them originals. The other rows over there? Interpretations and analysis of his works from all over the world! We, of course have all your books, articles, and thoughts on the subject as well, Herr Krafft.”
“I am impressed and honored.” Said Krafft, although the way Fesel had stressed the word ‘thoughts’ gave an uneasy chill.
“We of course have all of George Lucht’s works. Don’t we, Herr Lucht?”
Lucht smiled politely. “All that I have published… and more.” Lucht glanced at Krafft sternly when Fesel was not looking.
Two men in white lab coats appeared and opened the car doors. Captain Strobel and Sergeant Meyer excused themselves and walked over towards a small office with a large window about 30 meters from the car. Three other people were inside all wearing the same white lab coats along with one beautiful redheaded woman, whose figure could be made out despite the lab coat and the distance.
Fesel noticed his guests extended glances toward the office. “We’ll meet the rest of the staff later,” he said, “but first I have something I want you both to see, and to get started on – right away!”
Fesel led Krafft and Lucht over to a large table near the rows of Nostradamus materials that Fesel had pointed out earlier. On it was an oversized book with a red velvet ribbon marking an open page. A particular passage was circled with a red marker:
Transltera en la Grande Germanie,
Brabant & Flandres, Gand, Bruges, Bonlongne,
La traisue sainte, le grand ducd Armenie
Assaillira Vienne & la Coloigne