by David Bishop
But none came. It was finally over.
Chapter Twenty-Three
SEPTEMBER 29TH, 1941
When a final count was made, only four of the Panzer crews and fewer than twenty infantry soldiers had survived. All the Kampfgruppen's planes had been lost, along with hundreds of men on the ground. But when the survivors returned to their own units they all found themselves facing charges of desertion and gross insubordination. With next to no evidence to prove what had happened, the accused were defenceless. Before leading his vampyrs into battle, Constanta had filed charges of mutiny against the Vollmer brothers and their co-conspirators. The fact that nobody could produce written orders to justify the existence of the Kampfgruppen only made matters worse. The unexplained loss of so many men and machines should have doomed the survivors to execution by firing squad, but a last minute intervention came to their rescue.
Hans and Ralf stood side by side as the verdict against them was read out at the court martial. "You two have been identified as the ringleaders of this bizarre and, thus far, inexplicable incident," the presiding officer said. "You acted outside orders, apparently costing the lives of hundreds of the Wehrmacht, not to mention some fifty valuable aircraft and numerous guns. Despite your actions, you have inspired such loyalty among your fellow accused that none of them will speak against either of you. I don't know what prompted this private crusade. That is a matter for another day. I do know this: but for the testimony of one high-ranking officer, both of you would certainly be facing the death penalty.
"Instead I find myself counselled to let you live. This I will do, but I cannot allow such gross insubordination to pass unpunished. Obergefreiter Hans Vollmer, you are hereby demoted to the lowest rank possible. You and all the other infantry involved in this incident are being reassigned to join Army Group North in the frozen north. Perhaps some time near the Arctic Circle will allow you to reflect upon the error of your ways. Obergefreiter Ralf Vollmer, you, your crew and all the other tank personnel will be demoted to become Panzergrenadiers. Since you are incapable of using your machines properly, you shall run alongside them into battle. Your presence beside the Panzers will be a constant reminder of what you have lost. Dismissed."
The two brothers were led away, baffled by the decision. Both had been resigned to facing the firing squad, but their spirits were buoyed by the knowledge their mission to wipe out the vampyrs had been successful.
However, they had been given another chance. But why? The answer came a few minutes later. One of the guards said there was a visitor coming to see them. The two brothers used the wait to say goodbye.
"I don't know what's worse," Hans admitted. "Seeing Klaus die like that or imagining how hard the news must have hit them at home."
Ralf nodded. "At least Klaus died for a good cause, a righteous cause. It was his Stuka that killed Constanta."
"I wouldn't be so certain of that," a familiar voice replied. The Rumanian leader appeared outside their cell, smirking at their shock and amazement.
"You died," Hans protested. "We saw you die."
"You saw me reduced to ashes, yes, but you didn't see me die," Constanta replied. "I told you, I can't be killed. I can resurrect myself from the smallest speck of dust. I let the wind carry me away before the rising sun achieved what you could not. The battle had achieved its goal: all but a few of those who would oppose my kind in this war were wiped out."
"I'll kill you with my bare hands if I have to," Ralf vowed, making a grab for the Rumanian.
Constanta easily eluded this clumsy attempt. "You should be grateful to me. Without my intervention, you would already be dead."
"You were the one who got to the court martial judges? Why?" Hans demanded.
"So you might spread a message on my behalf. Tell others about us, if you dare, but remember this: we cannot be beaten and we cannot be destroyed. We are legion. When this war is over, we shall rise up and claim our rightful place as the true master race. There shall be a thousand-year Reich, as your Führer believes, but we shall be its rulers. What you saw was a rehearsal for the war of terror we shall wage against all of mankind." Constanta tipped his peaked cap to the two brothers, offering one last thought before departing. "The battle for the future begins today, gentlemen. Enjoy the rest of the war."
THE END
About the Author
David Bishop was born and raised in New Zealand, becoming a daily newspaper journalist at eighteen years old. He emigrated to Britain in 1990 and was editor of the Judge Dredd Megazine and then 2000 AD, before becoming a freelance writer. His previous novels include three starring Judge Dredd (for Virgin Books) and four featuring Doctor Who (for Virgin and the BBC). He also writes non-fiction books and articles, audio dramas, comics and has been a creative consultant on three forthcoming video games. If you see Bishop in public, do not approach him - alert the nearest editor and stand well back. Bishop's previous contributions to Black Flame are Judge Dredd: Bad Moon Rising, Nikolai Dante: The Strangelove Gambit and A Nightmare on Elm Street: Suffer the Children.
