Kat and Die Wolfsschanze

by Michael Beals

  “I realize I’m palavering with a dead man, but I still have to wonder just who do you think you are?”

  “I’m the man that put you in power… and the only one keeping you there. So shut the fuck up for once and get me a fresh drink.” Pernass jangled his tumbler and snapped his fingers. Himmler just shook and yanked a Kongsberg knockoff Colt .45 hand cannon from under the table.

  “Or maybe I’ll simply gun you down like one of your beloved Jews. Should have done this years ago.”

  Himmler’s barrel trembled as Pernass uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “Better men than you have tried, yet I’m still here. How many shots do you think you can get off before I cross the room and strangle you with your own intestines?”

  Himmler’s glasses flipped off as his nostrils flared, busting the nose bridge open. He let go of the weapon and slid the spectacles back into place. A tight smile spread below his Adolf-lookalike mustache.

  “Better men… Or a better woman? You’ve been off your game ever since that girl showed up. What’s that redhead’s name again? I always see it right next to reports on your latest failures. She took out your best agent in London. Leveled the port of Tripoli despite you leading an infantry battalion to stop her. Stole a Jet bomber right from under your nose and destroyed an atomic bomb that could have ended the war… You couldn’t even kill her with a 1,000 ton super tank at your disposal. Herr Oberführer, I think you exaggerate your stock with the Führer. Perhaps if your stepdaughter were taken out of the equation, you might get back to your old and useful lethal self…”

  Pernass tensed for the first time, his body cocking like a pistol. “Katelyn has nothing to do with anything. If you...”

  Himmler licked his lips with sadistic glee, savoring the sweet tang of leverage in the air. “Then you won’t mind if I put together a Special Task Force to remove her from the board?”

  Pernass rocked to his feet, slipping something slim and razor sharp out of his belt, just as the cabin door swung open.

  “Heil Hitler!” Remer and half a dozen guards poured inside… and ignored the standoff. They all shouldered their weapons and stiffened to attention in unison.

  Pernass shot out his right arm as a wild-eyed, middle-aged Austrian stormed through the door and stomped towards him with both fists clenched.

  “You’ve lost some weight, Mein Führer. I’m happy you received my warning in time.” Pernass dropped his hand and stuck out his palm. Hitler searched his eyes for a moment before giving a perfunctory shake.

  “Congratulations. You did your damn job… finally. My right hand does not just up and disappear! Himmler assured me you deserted. Possibly defected to the Allies. Why the hell would you come in and risk your life to save mine?”

  Pernass tilted his head as Hitler addressed him by his rank instead of his name for the first time in years. “Just following your orders, sir. Per your instructions, I infiltrated the conspirators. Took longer than expected, but I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the results.”

  Hitler’s snarl twisted into a brief frown. Pernass leaned in. “Operation Spark, remember? At least that’s what the traitors call it.”

  “Of course… the mission.” Hitler ground his teeth and glanced at Himmler’s grinning face. “Clear the room, now!”

  Himmler just folded his thin arms and smirked as the guards melted outside. “Even you, Heinrich.”

  “Mein...”

  Himmler sucked in his breath, fading away as der Führer cut his eyes. As soon as the door snapped shut, Hitler ripped off his cap and smoothed his much thinner than usual comb over.

  “Ever since Stalingrad fell, things have been rather chaotic. What did you uncover about the… plotters?”

  Pernass blinked at the curious inflection but didn’t hesitate, “the so-called Black Band is far more dedicated than we ever guessed, but at least the conspiracy doesn’t reach quite so high in the chain of Command. General Tresckow is the prime mover behind it all. From what I saw in their midst, he’s the only General Level Officer to openly espouse treason. Of course, the Captain he sent was just the first assassin in a long string of suicidal volunteers.”

  “Excellent. Tresckow is in Ukraine. You’ve done enough. I’ll get Himmler on this. He’ll have the whole network in front of a firing squad by sun up. Their families too…”

  Hitler gave a shrill bark. “Heinrich!”

  “With all due respect, Mein Führer, that would be stupid.” Pernass shook his head, and Himmler stormed in and saluted.

  Hitler narrowed his eyes and flared his nostrils at the hand daring to touch his elbow. Pernass shed any sign of humility and matched his anger.

  “Slaughtering them now just proves to any other would-be traitors that you’re scared. Instead of their bodies, I want to kill their will to fight. Leave them alone, for now, and stick to your itinerary. Let them get close with their assassination plots, and I’ll make sure they always fail.”

  Himmler smirked while Hitler frowned and stared out the window. “For a moment I thought you had something, Pernass. It’s not just the Führer’s precious life you’re gambling with. If, God forbid, he dies, the Reich dies too. No, this is too risky.” Behind Hitler’s back, Pernass cupped his hand and jerked it back and forth at Heinrich, but spoke only to the boss.

  “It’s too risky not to beat them at their own game, Mein Führer. Eliminate Tresckow now, and tomorrow some new ringleader that I haven’t met will take over the Resistance. Leave him in place though, and all the rats will flock to his banner… only to be crushed by your continuous protection from Providence. Imagine what Goebbels could do with propaganda fodder like that.”

  Hitler opened and shut his mouth a few times, throwing a curious eye at Himmler. Grinding his jaw, Himmler nodded fast. “It is possible, Mein Führer. We’ll triple your guard detail, of course, and…”

  “Have you no imagination, Reichsführer? To maximize the legend, we should half the guard staff.”

  Pernass grinned for the first time all afternoon. “the next planned attack is a week from now when you visit the Eastern Front, sir. Tresckow will slip a plastic explosive bomb onboard your plane as you leave, disguised as a gift of Cointreau. I made sure the percussion cap on the British pencil detonator is a dud though. Can you imagine their fear when you land safe and sound in Berlin? the backup attack involves a suicide bomber, one Colonel Gersdorff, who plans to take you out during the opening ceremony of the new military museum in Berlin on...”

  Hitler stuck up his hand and hissed. “How could you possibly know so much about these traitors and their plans?”

  Pernass just shrugged and locked eyes with the Führer, “Because I gave them the bombs and detonators, Mein Führer. I’m Staatsfeind Number 1, after all. Your shoot on sight order sure helped my bona fides with the Resistance.”

  “Which still leaves the thorny issue of what to do with you.” Hitler seized Pernass’s hand and led him outside. He sucked in the cool, deadly quiet Polish air and grunted. “Himmler wants to filet you into little pieces. Of course, that bloodthirsty ghoul gets off on blood. Despite the rumors, I’m more pragmatic. Loyalty is a rare commodity these days with the war going so… shall we say far from plan. In a few weeks, the Allies will finish off our North African outposts and open up a second front in Sicily. I trust Mussolini about as far as I can throw him. A betrayal by the whole Italian nation would be far more trouble than the rats around here.”

  Pernass snapped his trench coat shut and clasped his hands behind his back. “I might have a solution to that little issue as well. One that would only enhance my standing with the plotters and give us even greater access into their seedy world.”

  Himmler seethed from the cabin’s open door and cleared his th
roat. “With all due respect, Mein Führer, I still need to debrief him. He’s been off the books for months, doing God knows...”

  “Shut up, Heinrich. I’m not interested in details. only results.” Hitler’s dark eyes twinkled as he took Pernass’s arm. “Let’s walk and talk, Oberführer. What do you need from me?”

  CHAPTER 31

  A small rise stood between them and the camp. Tension built. Once they crested the hill, they’d have a view of their opposition. As they moved up, each of them crouched, remaining low until they made the top. There, they paused, peering down on the watchtower, some two hundred yards off.

  No movement made it seem unmanned, as if abandoned, despite the mounted machine gun lazily aimed at the ground. Two spotlights cast harsh beams down at the base, turning the ground gray-brown. The team remained in place for another moment, watching quietly. A moment later, a guard stepped into the light, smoking a cigarette.

  Kat held up her hand, indicating everyone should remain still. She considered the situation, narrowing her eyes at the seemingly tranquil scene. No way, she thought. They might be lazy, but they’re definitely present. An idea hit her, one that made her grin. She unbuttoned her jacket.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Kelly whispered harshly.

  “Taking my clothes off,” Kat replied. She gave him a look that suggested he must’ve been daft even to ask. “Don’t shoot until the rest of the guards are visible.”

  “What do you mean the rest?” Kelly bit his lip. “You… I see. Is now really the time for this?”

  “Focus!” Kat motioned with her head as she stripped down to her knickers. The others gawked at her only until she glared at them, redirecting their attention to the tower. Still, a few lingering glances made their way to her. “Remember what I said. Wait for them all to be visible.”

  “Like that’ll be a problem,” Dore muttered. “They’re gonna come runnin when they see you.”

  Kat winked. “Counting on it.” She grabbed a bag of rations, slinging it over her shoulder. “My life is in your hands, gentlemen. I expect you to keep that in mind over the next several minutes, hm?” Turning on her heel, she set off toward the tower, making a real show of it with a jaunty whistle.

  Two more guards immediately revealed themselves, at first ready for action. They lifted their weapons, glaring at the sound but their demeanor changed in a second. Their guns lowered as they jeered, nudging each other while wearing idiotic grins. Their attention, such as it was, rested firmly on her.

  “You lost, Fräulein?” The nearest guard shouted. His buddies made catcalls and throwing out whistles.

  “Oh God!” Kat jumped as if startled, turning her attention to the soldiers. She made a show of covering herself. “Who… who are you?”

  All three guards laughed, doubling over at her response. One finally recovered enough to speak. “We’re guardians of the forest! Where are you going?”

  Kat backed away, holding her arm over her breasts. “We’re camping by the lake. I’m just looking for somewhere to… well…”

  “Don’t let us stop you!” That comment brought a new fit of laughter from the three men. They slapped their knees, clapping each other on the back. One of them looked to be on the verge of another comment when the whisper pops of suppressed weapons interrupted, peppering the side of the tower.

  None of the targets knew what hit them. Their bodies danced as each took several rounds. Each collapsed, leaving behind distinct splatter marks against the wall. Heavy footsteps approached from the hill as the rest of the team came forward to join her. They spread out, keeping their weapons at the ready in case of stragglers.

  Kat shivered, tensing up against the chill. It proved far colder than she imagined. “Can I have my clothes, please?” She extended her hand without looking at them. “That… might not have been one of my best plans...”

  “Yer such an exhibitionist,” Dore replied. He handed her the garments. “Did ya have fun?”

  Kat shrugged, “got the job done, didn’t it?” She pulled her trousers on, quickly getting dressed in her SS uniform. “Not many other ways to draw out three targets so easily. Anyway, thank God for the Polish Resistance. At least I don’t have to do that to the other watchtowers. It’s way too cold to pull that nonsense again.”

  They continued through the forest, moving swiftly. It felt odd to be working closely with the Resistance. This time, twenty well-armed men had their backs.

  Four miles from the lake, the forest thickened. Tall pines blocked out the sky, a heavy scent of earth and sap hung heavy on the air. The surrounding ground became primal with thick undergrowth consuming rotten foliage and trunks they were forced to climb. Every step became a chore, every breath a discomfort.

  Kat figured they must be roughly six miles to the West of Rastenburg. They would be approaching the Wolf’s Lair from the North, coming in from what they hoped would be a blindside. After pressing through the woods, she couldn’t imagine many forces daring to pass through there.

  The pitfalls alone slowed them down considerably. Several times Kat found her foot sinking to the top of her ankle, making her test each step before she committed. The Germans likely chose the spot for the bunker precisely because of the natural barriers to the North. They didn’t consider the tenacity of Commandos.

  Kat wondered about the defense of the bunker, how difficult it would be to take down. If the RSD, Hitler’s renowned Reichssicherheitsdienst, defended it then it may prove a more difficult nut to crack than Pernass implied. The team came prepared for a fight, but against overwhelming odds, that was another story.

  If the enemy employed electrified fences, tanks or hundreds of men guarding the compound, they might find themselves in a nasty pickle. When her team attacked the tank Command in Italy, Gramigna’s men knew the area well. Jakub’s crew may have been Polish, but none of them had been to the Wolf’s Lair before.

  The potential disadvantages continued to mount. Kat refused to dwell on guesses or worries. She had to trust the intel, believe Pernass, go into the situation with confidence or the rest of the team would catch on to her doubt. Even if any of the things she worried about came true, they were just new problems to overcome.

  Nothing is impossible. Kat stopped suddenly as the compound came into view. Kat stepped around a particularly massive tree trunk, peering through two parted trees at a high chain-link fence some three hundred yards away. Razor wire coiled at the top, catching the light just right to glisten menacingly.

  A little further on, a road connected to the main entrance. Sandbags surrounded a wooden hut. The gate remained closed with four guards standing vigil outside, each holding their weapons close to their chests. Unlike the fools at the watchtower, these men seemed fully alert. They were close enough to the action for an Officer to be nearby.

  Two additional soldiers manned machine guns though they were leaning on them, chatting with the others. The guards didn’t seem particularly on edge. Just ready for action if and when it arrived.

  Kat waved for the others to fall back, bringing them into a huddle. “Okay,” she whispered, “this is the outer perimeter. It’s not as heavily guarded as I imagined. There’s another security fence to breach before we reach the inner compound. That will have some firepower behind it. Pernass said the RSD have tanks and half-tracks.”

  “Is that true?” Dore asked.

  “That’s the intel we have,” Kat replied. “Before we take this section, I want those other watchtowers out of commission.”

  “We can do that,” Jakub said, “if we can borrow your silenced MP40s.”

  Kat turned to Dore. “You okay with that?”

  “As long as we get them back,” Dore replied, �
��ay, go for it.” They turned the weapons over.

  “How long will it take?” Kat asked.

  “Depends on how slow we have to go,” Jakub replied. “And considering we’re trying not to be noticed…” He lifted his shoulders. “It could be awhile.”

  “We’ll hole up here. Don’t waste the night, gentlemen. Any delays will turn this place into a Kraut Factory.” Kat nodded to Jakub as he departed with his men, leaving the team alone. “And now we wait.” She smiled at Dore. “Our favorite part of these operations, eh Jock? I know you were just dying for a proper sit-down.”

  Dore gestured to a rotten trunk, sneering. “This isn’t exactly a garden spot.” He leaned against a relatively stable tree. “At least we’ve got some fresh air here. That wretched stink in the woods was enough to curl a man’s eyelashes.”

  “You might get your wish to go back through there,” Kat replied, “depending on how we make our escape.” She crept out, keeping her attention on the gate guards, fighting back an anxious desire to move. So close to the enemy, on the verge of their objective, she wanted nothing more than to get out there and engage.

  Calm yourself. It’ll happen soon enough.

  But that thought proved to be relative. An hour passed before the Resistance returned at 0800. Visitors started arriving at the compound, pausing at the checkpoint before passing through the gate. Kat saw Jakub’s men settle in a small gully one hundred yards from the main entrance. It appeared to be excellent cover.

  A bus arrived with a group of young women. Intel suggested they were local girls Hitler employed as food tasters. Unsurprisingly, he’d become paranoid about poison, enough so that he took a medieval approach to maintain his safety. Kat clenched her fist at the thought of other people potentially dying to save his worthless hide.