Bettina entered the bathroom, much smaller than the one in her master’s adjoining room, rinsed her mouth, and then began silently brushing her hair. Stroking the way her mother taught when she was four years old, memories came to life of how she used to do things as a child – and the way things were when she was a child. But thinking of childhood also reminded her of the sliver of Jewish roots she had, which Goebbels was using to full advantage. It was too late for one with even partly Jewish blood to simply get up and leave Germany. She had to remain hidden for now, under his control.
Picking up one of her many books had her forget her own thoughts for now, the books also being her only company on this trip. She resumed reading The Greatest Quotes of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe when a knock came on the door.
The runway at Ulm loomed larger in front of Hess and his colleague.
Hess wondered if Hitler knew that Pluto was moving into Leo in September of 1939, this being the reason he decided to attack Poland. Would Hitler start a war using a planetary event or a political one? Might he even be looking at both elements to decide? . Or was this next war going to start because of an unexplainable truth that only the stars know, and not individual or events on earth?
The Kaiser certainly was not aware that Pluto moved into the sign of Cancer in August of 1914, Pluto was not even discovered or known of until Lowell found it in 1930. Alexander I of Russia consulted the stars believing Napoleon was the anti-Christ as described by Nostradamus.
Hess began to think deeper into the possible interpretations. If Cancer represented the Home, or Homeland, and Germany lost WWI, was this to mean that the idea of the Home was dead? Was Hitler right? With the Nazi party replacing the ideas and security of the home, would this make the German people more dominant, strong willed, and self-confident?
These characteristics were, after all, the traits that represented the zodiac sign of Leo, and this war was to start when Pluto entered the sign of Leo. Hess knew that Hitler himself didn’t really believe in astrology:
“If the world thinks I use astrology and it worries them, then all the better!”
Hitler once said. But even so, was Hitler aware that WWI started when this new planet entered Cancer and he was about to start the next war when it entered the next zodiac sign?
Would the war started in Leo avenge the war started in Cancer?
The plane made a smooth landing despite the vibrations being sent out to every nut and bolt from the only engine operating. Hess taxied to an open area near the control tower and turned to the elderly man sitting next to him.
“He will frighten the Italians, the Spanish, and the English…”
“Nostradamus. Quatrain fifty-four in Centuries four… was this not referenced as pertaining to Napoleon…?”
“Indeed.” Hess replied. “My point is, even though Napoleon may not have believed in astrology, was he not still aware of the prophecy?
“I’m sure Napoleon was aware, his opponent Alexander I most certainly was.
The unknown colleague referred to the fact that Alexander I of Russia consulted the stars believing Napoleon to be the first anti-Christ, according to Nostradamus. The Russian Czar thought the beginning of the 1800’s announced the biggest spiritual war in history – not only the largest one militarily. Divine intervention was needed, so the greatest spiritual minds from St. Petersburg to Moscow were sought to contribute to the battle plans to save Mother Russia. Astrology played a heavy role in the mystic Czar’s spiritual arsenal.
“Did these quatrains about Napoleon influence any of his decisions?”
“Will any of the quatrains you’re working on influence Herr Hitler?”
The plane’s engine sputtered to a stop as the ground crews raced around the burnt out engine to suppress the smoke and prevent any further chance of a fire. Hess casually takes off his flying gear and gloves as if this was a normal landing.
“Ready for a drink?”
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” The unknown colleague replied.
Krafft was emotionally and physically exhausted. The train trip from Berlin to Stettin had taken 2 hours longer than it should have, since troop cars that were hastily collected in Berlin Lichtenstein blocked everything else that was heading out of Berlin to the east.
In the train car they had to deal with a lady opposite them with a horrible little dog named Amadeus, who barked constantly. The name “Amadeus” was called out at least 300 times during the trip for all the infractions the small pesky mutt committed upon the other passengers. Amadeus had a constant urge to run up and down the length of the aisle, barking at everyone. The owner would then repeatedly call out Amadeus’ name – as if that would somehow bring the dog back to her seat and behave – which it didn’t.
Upon arriving in Stettin, the trip towards the coast in search of Frau Ney’s place was itself an ordeal, being completely dark and only a few of the roads being marked. By accident they ran into a guest who was also invited and knew the way.
After a rebounding high of receiving the onslaught of praise and recognition missed in his life for so long, he was then put in shock by the display of Bruno’s method for creating his sculptures. Elaine, stressed out next to him, experienced something upstairs upsetting which he had yet to learn, and now he was invited to go to the house of Copernicus – his second hero next to Nostradamus.
“Yes, of course.”
“Excellent!” The Governor General of Poland beamed, turned into Elaine extremely close. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Major’s wife, Andrea, she is a wonderful host.”
Again Karl Ernst was miffed by the continuous special attention and flirting Dr. Frank placed on his wife – both away from and in her presence.
Elaine squeezed her husband’s hand.
“Would you please gentlemen excuse us?” Elaine looked around, as if politely looking for a bathroom.
While Karl Ernst took a breath wondering how to react, Dr. Frank responded immediately.
“Olga!”
A 27 year-old blonde immediately responded to the Governor’s voice and approached the trio.
“Would you kindly show Frau Krafft where the ladies room is?”
Elaine hesitated; she had painted herself into a corner. Her intention was to find an excuse to leave with her husband, but her actions had the opposite effect. Then, looking to her husband as if to say, “I’ll be back”, headed to the sensitive place with Olga where unfortunately her husband could not follow.
Elaine maintained her grace, which was one of her great strengths. “Thank-you, Olga.” This was expressed with honest gratitude.
Krafft watched as both women walked off. She saw Olga whisper something into Elaine’s ear that made his wife smile. He was relieved to at least see her appearance change from distressed to enjoyment.
“Krafft, let me get you another drink! Your glass has been empty for over an hour…”
Dr. Frank started towards the table with all the glasses and drinks across the room being approached by, then distracted by, two slender women in Bavarian Beer Hall outfits.
“Hans Frank! Where have you been hiding?” One said while the other ran her hands across his jaw.
Krafft took a long sigh of relief. At long last – to be alone! The state he felt the most comfortable. Without thinking he put his hand in his coat pocket and felt a piece of paper that should not be there. The note! The note that Ewa Mann had gave him earlier.