PrologueA Chapter by Mark SandersProloguePrologue Berlin, Germany, 1944 Major Hanna sat patiently at
his desk. It was quiet now, not like it once was. The hustle and bustle of a
once thriving department was long gone. No incessant tap tapping of typists, telephones
constantly ringing, footsteps beating hard against the highly polished floor,
much to his annoyance. Oh, how he wished things were different. The once
multitude of staff was now down to only two, three if you included himself. Reaching into his drawer he
took out a cigarette. He had given up the disgusting habit less than a year ago
but now seemed a fitting time to reintroduce his lungs to the acrid smoke they
had thought had been banished. Hanna knew the end was coming.
Knew it was hopeless. The Nazi party was falling apart, Germany was falling
apart. Indeed, the Fuhrer was falling apart. The great German leader Adolf
Hitler was looking more and more to the occult and esoteric teachings rather
than battle plans or an escape strategy. The war was over. The great German
race will be defeated. Unthinkable only a year ago. Now there was no doubt.
Just at a time when the Reich had made some astounding discoveries in fields of
science and technology. Now they will all be stolen by the allies who would go
on to glory on German discoveries. Still, that was the least of his worries
now. Any serving soldier within the German SS was not going to survive this. As a Major in the SS Space
Intelligence Division, he had trained as a linguist at the University of
Hamburg prior to the war breaking out. At six foot tall, blond, blue eyed, and
with a muscular physique, it was obvious to the German high command that Hanna
was Aryan. He was superior. He was made for the SS. As the Nazi’s became
obsessed with myth and legend Hanna had been tasked with more and more bizarre
expeditions on behalf of the Fuhrer and Himmler. Spared active service Hanna
had never actually fired a live round at the enemy. He had however been chasing
Nazi dreams all around the globe including trips to the Amazon rainforest
looking for a sacred piece of crystal. A crystal said to have an amazing
ability to create massive energy fields. The Sudan to recover the mummified
remains of a human believed to be 8 foot tall and over 50,000 years old. An
Antarctic expedition where it was said a whole advanced city could be seen
buried in the Ice two miles down. This part of Antarctica was re named Neu Schwabenland
when he arrived on the orders of Himmler and annexed for the Reich. All these locations the Nazi’s
believed were interconnected and would aid Hanna to help them discover their
true origins. As Major Hanna savoured the smoke, he smiled to himself. All the
expeditions had been successful. All of them. And yes, he found it difficult to
believe it himself sometimes. Each and every one a great success. The last expedition had also
proved that they were all indeed insane. Either that or there was a much bigger
conspiracy. One of truly cosmic proportions. He no longer wanted to be a part
of it. All Major Oswald Hanna wanted
to do in life was teach. Teach others and further his interest in ancient
languages, particularly ancient script and cuneiform text. His protestations at
being called up to the Army and then the SS went unacknowledged. And this is
where he was now, alone with his secretary and personal driver waiting for an
approaching Army. Carefully, Hanna removed some
documents from the open drawer and placed them in an envelope. Taking one last
pull on the cigarette he crushed it beneath his foot before sealing the large
brown envelope and writing a name on the front. Picking up the telephone receiver
he called for his driver. A few moments later his driver, who had been
patiently waiting outside, walked in. As the corporal stood to attention in
front of Hanna, he raised his right arm and ensured a swift but loud connection
of his heels. He was loyal to both Germany and Major Hanna. Hanna stood from behind his
desk and walked over to his loyal corporal. He took a moment then extended his
hand towards Corporal Schmidt. The corporal stood there whilst Hanna’s hand was
outstretched, not understanding this unusual situation. Initially resisting he
eventually looked Major Hanna in the eye and with his hand still outstretched Corporal
Schmidt reached out and took the proffered hand. There was a shake of the hands
between both men but no exchange of words. There was a moment when the corporal
realised that he may be about to receive his final orders. Major Hanna spoke
clearly to the driver and gave him precise instructions before placing the
brown envelope in his hand and returned to his desk. As the driver left the Major’s
office his secretary knocked and entered. She smiled at the Major as was
expected of all good German women who served the Nazi war office. She enquired
if he needed anything before his meeting with Himmler. It was scheduled for 4
pm, a little over two hours away. As another loyal servant Anna was expected to
keep the Major informed of all his forthcoming meetings for the day and ensure
his stress levels were kept to a minimum. It was again expected of all German
subordinates to adhere to all their superior’s requests. As she approached the
desk she looked directly into his eyes and asked, ‘Anything else’. Hanna nodded
and stood from his seat. Taking the cushion from his seat he dropped it at his
feet. Anna smiled, approached and knelt in front of the major. She had done
this many times before, but it had been a while. She saw it as her duty but one
she nonetheless enjoyed very much. Hanna was married but also had
feelings for his secretary who did things that he could not ask his wife to do.
There was no love between Major Hanna and the woman kneeling before him but
there was a strong bond between them. Anna never saw the Major reach into the
drawer. She never saw the tears in his eyes. She never got to enjoy the Major
one last time. She fell backwards, the hole in her temple small on one side but
much larger on the other. She would not have heard the bang; he was sure of it.
Hanna could not leave her to the mercy of Himmler. She would have suffered and
suffered badly. Hanna re fastened his
trousers, sat down. Took one last look at the family photograph on the desk and
calmly placed the luger pistol into his mouth. He tilted it upwards and fired only
his second live round in this war. © 2022 Mark SandersReviews
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