Matt James, Nick Thacker
The Sixth Seal
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Prologue
Special Agent Dan Keller stood at the front of the floating dock. He watched men from Germany, the USSR, and even America load gear into a Nazi-era U-boat. The secret installation was being downsized to a skeleton crew until the rising conflict between East and West Germany subsided. Keller’s own country was nearly at war because of the Soviet’s presence in Cuba.
Politics was quickly dividing the organization responsible for creating the Antarctic facility. Funding had all but dried up. The three country’s governments had tightened up spending, preparing for the worst. This facility’s clandestine budget had been chopped repeatedly until it was mere morsels.
General Krause hobbled directly toward him. Agent Keller had been tasked by the U.S. Army’s Counterintelligence Corps (CIC) to oversee the mass exodus, but what they didn’t know was that he was also feeding men like Krause valuable intel. Keller’s very existence was predicated on being able to play everyone for something important.
And was too deep into it to stop.
Most of the men leaving were destined for America. The plan was to seamlessly assimilate them into military platforms as an extension of Operation Paperclip, a program that disbanded the year prior.
Following World War II, the United States began employing German scientists, engineers, and technicians, many of them former leaders within Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party. In total, more than 1,600 people were transported to America and employed between 1945 and 1959.
“Mr. Keller!” the old man shouted. “I must protest!”
Keller rolled his eyes. “Of course, you would, General. What is it now?”
Dietrich Krause was the heart and soul of this facility. He had birthed it with Schutzstaffel commanding officer, Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler. Himmler had come up with the idea for the Antarctica installation and Generalfeldmarschall Dietrich Krause had the means to construct it.
Keller knew what went on inside to a degree. He’d only ever been given access to the upper levels of the facility. The multiple sub-levels had been strictly off limits, per Krause’s agreement with his contacts inside the military intelligence construct. That was fine with Keller too. He didn’t need to see anything. The lower-level mechanics and researchers happily talked about their work — work that truly frightened Keller.
To a degree.
Krause stepped up to the much taller American agent and sneered at him. He jabbed a gnarled finger Keller’s face. “I have been here for twenty-three years, Mr. Keller. You can’t do this! We are close, I can feel it!”
Keller snorted. “You’ve been saying that for years, General.” He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Typical. Too many promises and not enough results. Besides, I’m not the one pulling your people out of here. That’s from way above my paygrade.”
“Who must I speak with to reverse this awful decision?”
Keller smiled. “You know who… But even I don’t have clearance to speak with him face-to-face.”
Krause growled, then coughed. “This is unacceptable! Himmler and I gave this place life! I should be the one to say when we shut down.”
“You aren’t ‘shutting down,’ General. We’re simply pulling the most valuable assets until things slow down back home. Think of this as a much-needed vacation.”
“But—”
“Look, General, Himmler is gone, Black Sunset is a pile of rust, and the Nazi Party is deader than Adolf. All that’s left are relics and people like you — people who haven’t been arrested and tried for war crimes…” he leaned in close to Krause’s face. “Yet.”
Krause shrank away. “W-where will I go?”
“The States, of course. You still have plenty of friends there. Most people don’t know this, but America is still open for business. We could sure use a mind like yours.”
“But—”
“Berlin is burning, General, and the U.S. and Soviets are nearly at each other’s throats. The old ways are dead and gone. Most of this organization’s hierarchy is dead or on the run.” Keller placed his hands on each of Krause’s shoulders, looked the man in the eyes, and squeezed. “We are sprinting toward, yet another, world war. It’s only a matter of time until this place is discovered. This is your only chance at freedom, General.”
“But the Sixth Seal—”
“Is stretched thinner than a rotten rubber band. It’s on the verge of collapse. What we need right now is to lie low and recoup. We’ll be back, General. That’s a promise.” Keller stepped out of Krause’s way and held out his hand. “Come on. When we reach the States, I will do everything I can for you to get a formal sit-down. Shoot, maybe someone’ll even be crazy enough to listen to you!”
“Agent Keller!”
He looked over his shoulder and spotted Colonel Larionov quickly approaching. He gave the Russian a wave, then returned his attention to Krause.
“Better get moving, General.”
Krause opened his mouth to say something else but stopped. He looked tired and out of gas. The long-time SS Generalfeldmarschall dipped his head against in the incoming breeze and headed up the floating dock. Two young privates were at the top helping people aboard.
“Keller.” He faced Larionov. “Is the general ready?”
Agent Keller locked eyes with the man. “He is.”
The corner of Larionov’s mouth turned upward. The Russian was a member of the security staff here. Most of Keller’s trusted allies within the facility were staffed in that department. He always figured that he was a man of action, so should his allies be. Larionov continued forward but was stopped.
“Make it quick, Colonel.”
Larionov nodded and silently approached Krause. He reached down to his belt and unsheathed his knife. This needed to be timed perfectly. Keller waited and watched. The Russian raised his knife and brought it around to the front of the general’s throat.
Keller swiftly drew his M1911 and shot the colonel twice in the back.
Krause froze.
Larionov fell.
Keller hurried forward. “You okay, General? That man just tried to kill you! You really need to watch your back better.”
Krause shook. He looked down at the man who had nearly slit his throat. He nodded, then swallowed. “Yes, well, that is why we have men like you around, is it not?”
Keller winked then holstered his pistol. “Exactly.” He tipped his chin to the U-boat. “Go ahead and board, General. I’ll take care of this traitor.”
“It seems that you already have.”
Keller gave the man a quick salute, then shoved the deceased Russian colonel off the floating dock and into the frigid water.
“Oh, Agent Keller?”
“Yes, General?”
“What about the next transport? When will they be along?”
Keller hesitated to answer but came up with one. “Soon. Very soon.”
Krause tried to say something else, but Keller didn’t let him.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s been all taken care of. You just get yourself inside and out of the cold, or you could end up like the colonel!”
Krause edged over to the side and looked into the water. He looked back up at Keller, eyes wide in fear.
“Oh, not me, General. If I wanted you dead, it would have already happened.” He looked past Krause and waved to one of the privates.
The young German rushed over. “Yes, sir?”
“Help General Krause on board,” Keller said. “Then, tell the captain to prep for dive.”