Science Fiction, Thriller, Technology, Fourth Reich

Who's ready for a sample chapter from "Target Berlin"? Wait no longer. The book won't be complete for another month, but I decided it was time let readers get a glimpse of things to come. 

CHAPTER 1

REGROUPING

Charlotte, North Carolina

It was two weeks before Judith could walk by herself. Larry never left her side as he nursed her back to health. At times he needed to use a stern tone with Rose to back-off, he had this. At first she bristled with his obstinance but relinquished when she understood how much he cared for her. He forced her to eat even when she didn’t want to. The only function she was allowed to perform was reminding him to take his daily medications. She’d seen once when he skipped a dose and threatened to evict him if his gentlemanly manners didn’t improve, and in a hurry. He never missed another dose. The only time he left her side was to call his parents about the upcoming appointment with the Neurologist, Doctor Roberts. They tried to convince him how difficult it was to schedule an appointment with a renown neurologist. He didn’t care. He would come home when Judith was better.

* * *

Dean and Sam remained a few more days after the funeral, but they still had jobs to attend and excused themselves, promising to return when Judith was feeling better. Rose knew it wasn’t a polite excuse. These men were truly connected and cared for their new colleagues.

Muki and Abdul spent their time visiting the sites around Charlotte. It wasn’t Nashville, but they made the best of it, visiting the Speedway, Music Hall of Fame, Billy Graham Library, Aviation Museum, Wadsworth Estate and the Charlotte Powerhouse Museum. They asked Rose if she’d like to go, but she respectfully declined until Judith was better.

Berlin

“How was your trip, sir?” Adolphus stared at Karl.

“You’ve seen the news haven’t you?”

“Concerning the Pentagon?”

“Yes you fool, what else would I be referring to?”

“I apologize, sir.”

“It was what I feared. A total failure. All the intricate plans we laid out for eighty years vanished because Gerhardt became too confident in his own abilities. Like Leonoid, he perished and took our organization, which we painstakingly built, with him. There might be a few minor agents across the United States, but our core is gone.”

“Yes sir.”

“Yes sir, what? Yes sir we’ve failed? Yes sir we’ve bungled a great opportunity? Or yes sir, it’s time to direct my efforts elsewhere?”

“I presume the later, sir.”

“Your presumption is correct, Karl. We tried to use diplomacy. We tried to work from within and we tried to accomplish our task with civilized technology designed to reduce, what is the term?” He looked in the air for the answer. “Ah, yes, collateral damage. No more Karl. No more shall we hide in the shadows as the world disintegrates into debauchery and decadence. No more shall we remain idle as the failing powers of the U.N., China, the U.S. and NATO, dictate spineless edicts, bathing themselves in accolades and praise!” He rose from his chair. “No more Karl. No more! We shall avenge the past. We shall right the wrongs and bring order to this desolate cesspool of humanity. It is time. It is our time! Like my father, who resurrected Germany from the ashes of the Versailles Treaty, we too shall soon take our rightful place in the world and they will tremble when the Thunder of Thor ROARS out of the heavens, raining death and destruction to the unbelievers!” He fell into his chair exhausted. “Karl, call Professor Mecklenberg. Inform him it is time for Thor to fly.

“Yes, sir.”

“And Karl.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’d like a nice glass of warm milk before I retire.”

“Yes, sir.”  Karl exited the room. 
Adolphus rotated his chair, admiring the power of the portrait on the wall. A smile crept over his lips. “Heil, Father.”

Palermo, SICILY

“Welcome Nathan Francisco. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. We’ve heard many good things from Don Campesie. He speaks most highly of you.”

“Thank you, Don Tiseo. The pleasure is all mine. May I suggest, before we talk business, to pay our respects to those who fell so many years ago fighting against the Germans?” He bent over, kissing his signet.

“An excellent suggestion. First, we shall travel to my humble estate and eat. It is not wise to venture on an empty stomach.”

“Agreed.”

New London

Dean was catching up on non-essential e-mails and briefs from the Navy Yard. All the reports revolved around the events at the Pentagon and the government fall-out. Politics is such a waste of time and energy. He shut down the system out of boredom, but not before a memory chip picked up an unusual vibration in the Salzburg Mountains.

Houston

“Joe, that was some of the craziest shit I’ve ever seen in my life.” It was at least the tenth time Sam told him the story.

“I know Sam. You’ve been talking about it for so long, the cows don’t wanna come home and I can’t blame ‘em.”

“Come on Joe. How can you get tired of it. I mean, seriously. The whole U.S. government could have been taken down and we’d be living under the swastika. Dammit man, everything could have change.”

“Yeah, but it didn’t. Now, if you’d have found a way for the Astros to stop losing, that would be something.” Sam knew when he was had.

“Okay Joe, I’ll see what I can do about that, but no promises” Each man shared a slight laugh.

WASHINGTON d.c.

“What is our next move Mr. President? It’s been two weeks.” asked Vice-President Andrews.

“It’s time to tell the American people exactly what happened and why.”

“But Mr. President, is that a wise move? Will the public be able to stomach the truth?”

He turned around displaying the serious glare many were now accustomed to. “John, can you stomach the truth? Have you come to terms with how close the government came to being overthrown? Do you rest peacefully at night with your wife by your side, or do you wake-up screaming every two hours knowing the horrors which were unleashed?” He didn’t give him a chance to respond. “No! I have prepared a speech for today’s press conference. The Beltway has been too secretive and closed door for too many decades. It’s time to unlock the closets and let the chips fall where they may.”

“Very well, Mr. President.”

Taylor turned the chair back to the window. “John, for once, we aren’t going to take a poll. We aren’t going to worry about fall-out or political posturing. The people put us in office. It’s time we trusted those who trusted us.”

“Yes, sir. Even if it cost us our careers? ” 

“Yes.”