Daily Intelligence Update
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(24) Convicted Nazi war criminal Heinrich Doetz was executed in Wiesbaden, West Germany at 0600 GMT. He evaded capture for several years. His promotion to Reich Marshall was just several hours before Hitler’s death. His orders to place children and women on the lines against American and Russian troops caused his conviction of “Crimes against Humanity.” Doetz last words were, “From the rubble of Berlin, the Phoenix Brotherhood will rise. Beware America, for we will consume you!”
Colonel Fitzhugh knocked softly on the door to Major Candace Dare’s room. A curt “Come,” came through the door.
Fitzhugh opened the door to find Dare lowering her Luger. “I thought you were Helga Hotstuff.”
“You were going to shoot her? I thought we talked,” Fitzhugh said.
“About not shooting Von Zorm, if I remember correctly.”
“Perhaps I should take your Luger away from you. I want to be clear that you are not allowed to shoot anyone.”
Fitzhugh closed the door and sat at a small desk in the room. Dare put her pistol in her handbag.
“Well, Major, what did you think about dinner last night?”
Dare sat at the end of her immaculately made bed.
“He certainly feels he’s God’s gift to the planet, doesn’t he, Colonel?”
“Yes, he does. He kept steering the conversation away from what he is doing here. We have to be firm today, we must see what is really going on.”
A knock at the door ended conversation. Major Dare walked to open the door. “Yes?”
Helga “Hotstuff” Haniker stood in the hallway. “Ah, Herr Colonel and Fraulein Major are asked to come to the dining room for breakfast. The Doctor hopes to show you all his progress today.”
“Thank you, Miss Haniker,” Fitzhugh said. “We’ll be right there.”
Helga smiled and nodded, turning to walk away.
Dare closed the door, “Do you think we are really going to get the tour?” she asked.
“Only one way to find out” Fitzhugh pointed to the door.
They walked down the carpeted hallway. Fitzhugh thought Dare’s heels still sounded ominous, even on the well-padded wall to wall carpet. They entered the same dining area. Dr. Herbst Von Zorm, stood waiting by the well-appointed table.
“Guten Morgen,” he said. “I trust you slept well and I did not keep you too late last night.”
“Morning, Doctor,” Fitzhugh replied for both of them. “The rooms are very comfortable, thank you.”
“Ah,” Von Zorm smiled, the scar stretching, increasing Fitzhugh’s uneasiness. “You must have a good breakfast, you two. I have much to show you, you will need to keep up your strength.”
Von Zorm pulled out a chair for Dare and nodded to one for Fitzhugh. They both took there places and Von Zorm sat.
“Tea, Major?” Von Zorm proffered a sterling silver pot. She held up the delicate porcelain teacup that sat in front of her. He poured Fitzhugh a cup afterwards.
The servant that waited on them last night for dinner began to move dishes to the table.
“I have not quite gotten used to the way you Amerikaners have breakfast. Karl has slowly learned from the soldiers stationed here,” Von Zorm said.
“Don’t go through any trouble over us, Doctor,” Fitzhugh said.
“No trouble, Herr Colonel, no trouble at all,” Von Zorm waved his hand. “We will start this morning at the main research lab. It is amazing the results we have been getting. It all depends on the right enzymes, chemical enhancements and timing. The timing is essential.”
“What about training?” Dare asked.
Von Zorm laughed. “It is a wonder! With all the experiments, the creatures do not require training, they are naturally aggressive!”
Fitzhugh and Dare exchanged glances.
The door to the dining hall opened and Helga walked in. The doctor seemed miffed.
“Ja,” he scolded, “Was ist?”
“Herr Doctor,” Haniker looked shaken. “You must take the phone call.”
An annoyed look crossed Von Zorm’s face. He quickly smiled and stood. “Pardon me. I shall return, Karl will see to your needs.”
“What do you think happened?” Dare asked.
“Obviously something is not going to plan.” Fitzhugh nodded towards Karl. “We’ll have to watch our talk,” he whispered.
Dare nodded. “So, what sort of creature is the doctor developing here?”
“We’ll find out soon.”
Von Zorm entered the room looking agitated.
“Bad news, Doctor?” Fitzhugh asked.
“It is a sad day in history, Herr Colonel. I was just informed that an old friend was executed as a war criminal.”
“Really? Who?”
“Reich Marshall Heinrich Doetz. He and I have known each other for many years. He is no more a war criminal than I.”
“How can you be sure? War cause people to do many things,” Fitzhugh said.
“Heinrich and I belonged to a group called the ‘Phoenix Brotherhood.’ This was started after World War I to help Germany to rebuild. Like a phoenix rises from the ashes, so was our hope was to rebuild Germany and make it a super power that it should have been.
“Heinrich recruited the smartest people, helped others become educated. I am a doctor today because of help from the Phoenix Brotherhood. It was, in fact Heinrich Doetz that helped finance and empower Hitler.”
“Wouldn’t that in itself make him a war criminal?” Dare asked despite a look from Fitzhugh.
Von Zorm sat at the table, smiling at Dare. “Why, Fraulein Dare, I must give you a history lesson, perhaps after visiting the laboratory. Suffice it to say to say that the young Adolf Hitler allowed himself to be swayed by less than intelligent advisors. It was in the last few weeks of the war that Hitler realized this and promoted Heinrich. For this he gets executed.”
“I am sorry for the loss of your friend and colleague, Doctor,” Fitzhugh chimed in. “Perhaps there is a way to honor his accomplishments for the better.”
“An excellent suggestion, Herr Colonel. But please, enough of the past. You are here to see the future. Meet back here in ten minutes and we will go to the lab. Helga will give you special clothing to change in to before we go.”
As if on cue, Helga appeared with two sets of folded overalls. Fitzhugh and Dare returned to their rooms to change.
After changing the two waited in the dining room. Fitzhugh looked at the coveralls that Dare wore. It was amazing how tight and form fitting they were. Surely the don’t keep that size commonly in inventory, he thought.
Doctor Von Zorm appeared dressed in a similar outfit. “Ah, good. You are all ready. Come let us depart.”
Fitzhugh followed as the doctor led the way. Major Dare stayed at his side. They came to a door.
“Right through here. The main laboratory is located in the next building.” The doctor opened the door and led them through and enclosed walkway to a large structure.
Entering the building, Fitzhugh saw a Sergeant and Corporal standing at the door. They both wore white coveralls. Their coveralls had white web belts with holsters. They each had a shoulder patch that Fitzhugh couldn’t quite make out.
“Do you recognize that patch, Major?”
“No,” she answered.
“All in good time, Herr Colonel. You will see a close-up of the patch as we go. We are creating a specialized unit here. They should have their own insignia.”
The guards let them pass through the outer doors into a long hallway. Doctor Von Zorm continued to lead them at a hardy pace. He stopped at one of the many doors lining the hall. He entered the room, Fitzhugh and Dare followed.
A large steel table sat in the center of the room. The room had high glass walls on two sides. Each room on either side was filled with wire holding cages. On the table sat three sets of surgical hats, masks and gloves.
“Here,” Von Zorm pointed at the supplies, “You must put these on.”
Fitzhugh watched as Von Zorm donned the garments and tried to follow. Dare was finished before the doctor.
“Fraulein Major, you must have some medical experience, Ja?”
“I was trained as a nurse,” she answered dryly.
Fitzhugh struggled until Dare assisted.
“Ready?” Von Zorm asked.
Fitzhugh nodded.
Von Zorm went to the door. “I must ask you not to try to touch any of the creatures. They can be quite violent. And please only talk in whispers.” He opened the door.
He led them into the room. The lighting was dim. Rows of wire cages, six high lined the room. In each a white bundle lay in the center. There was no movement. There was no sound.
“Are they dead?” Dare whispered. She approached one the cages at her eye level.
She whirled and faced the doctor. “What kind of joke are you pulling on us, Doctor?”
Fitzhugh moved in between the two. “What do you mean, Major?”
She nodded at the cage. “Take a good look, Colonel.”
Fitzhugh peered inside. The white bundle in the cage was stretched out. He could detect no movement or breathing. As his eyes adjusted, he realized what the creature was. He shared Dare’s anger.
He spun to face Von Zorm.
“You brought us all the way here to look at rabbits?”
Von Zorm chuckled. “Would it surprise you to learn, Herr Colonel, that these rabbits are the most fearsome creatures I have ever know. These are not just rabbits, they are truly ‘Killer Rabbits.’”
