Occupation

by Jeff L. Dawson

  It had been reported that the soldiers who came back and told these tales were reassigned to POW camps in Germany, or sent to the psychiatric wards. Morale was dropping to dangerously low levels. The men who were ordered to patrol the surrounding woods carried extra ammunition, and insisted no patrol should be composed of less than twelve men. There was safety in numbers, or so they hoped.

  Colonel Eckhardt easily ignored the first reports from his officers. He dismissed them with ease. But the reports were building in size and frequency. They had lost fifteen men in the last two weeks. Five of the bodies had been recovered but were unrecognizable. They had been ripped apart. Only pieces of the bodies were found. The only identifiable parts that could be used for identification purposes were the remnants of the blood soaked uniforms. The reports being filed by the officers in charge of the patrols were all the same:

  A twelve man patrol was sent to the SE quadrant of Skawina.

  Patrol time would be six hours.

  Patrol to check in at two hour intervals.

  First check-in acknowledged.

  Patrol did not check in for second interval.

  Patrol did not return after six hours.

  Relief patrol with a reinforced squad is sent to investigate.

  Relief patrol finds pieces of equipment, uniforms, and body parts.

  No bodies are recognizable.

  Lone survivor is found 200 meters from area of attack. He is rambling and suffering from shock.

  The only words the survivor repeats are: “Leave Poland or die. Leave Poland or die."

  The survivor is turned over to the doctor for medical evaluation.

  End of report.

  The area the patrols were assigned didn't matter. Each message received was the same. There was a ring of steel closing in around Krakow with no known suspects. The pressure for action was mounting on the colonel. He and Von DerGraff would soon be forced to inform General Heidrick of the current events if the attackers were not captured soon.

  Eckhardt knew the time was approaching. What are they waiting for? He could sense the thoughts of Nikoli and Svetlana; it was as if their thoughts were growing inside his head. Soon Colonel, very soon. Your pain and our plan will reveal itself to all. Make sure you have made all of the arrangements. He didn't know where the voice was coming from; he just knew he needed to be ready when the time arrived.

  Two weeks had passed since the last meeting. Kirilli and Nikoli were ready for the final phase to be enacted. Kirilli called all the members to meet at Bezpieczenstwo for what could be the final meeting. It was time to enact the last mission in the campaign. The morale of the Germans was at an alarming low. The patrols they had come across were timid and shy. They strayed no more than three meters from each other, making it difficult at times to strike and feed. The food reserves were dwindling with the new survival tactics the Germans were using. They had also noticed that the bacteria was starting to mature in those captured first. It was especially strong with Eckhardt. Nikoli and Svetlana were issuing messages to Eckhardt through telepathy.

  Nikoli proudly pulled his carriage on to the grounds of the Boirarskys. He had the entire clan seated comfortably in a new carriage he had purchased. It wasn't as immaculate as Kirilli's, but it was a definite improvement. The driver’s seat was covered in thick, soft, leather cushions. No more did his wife feel every rock or bump in the road. Behind the driver's seat was a bench seat that would seat four with no problem. It too had a nice soft seating pad. He had added one addition himself. He had installed a removable overhead cover which was very handy on rainy or snowy days.

  Nikoli led his clan into the massive meeting hall. Kirilli and his clan were all standing as Nikoli led his team in. There was a chair to the left of Nikoli that was deliberately leaning against the table. It is where Stephan would have sat. It was a fitting tribute for a fallen member. "Thank you, Kirilli. We appreciate the show of respect and honor for our fallen son. Thank you."

  Svetlana could not believe the words he used. He said “we”.

  On cue, Kirilli motioned for everyone to take their seats. He started the discussion. "My friends, it is time for us to complete the mission we began six months ago. We feasted nicely and survived with the loss of only one of our brave comrades. Tomorrow, Nikoli and I will be going out to hunt, but only Nikoli and I. It is our intention to be captured. Colonel Eckhardt and General Von DerGraff are making the arrangements for us to meet Herr Heinrich Himmler. If our meeting is successful, our way of life will return to some sort of normal semblance. If not, the women know what to do. Nicole and Dmitri, your mothers will be with you always. They will do everything they can to ensure the pregnancy goes well and new life is brought into the clans. If not for the brave sacrifice you two made all those months ago, I seriously doubt any of us would be sitting here today. Thank you. Nikoli, Svetlana, like yourselves, I was very timid about a lasting partnership even after the melding. I have been pleasantly surprised how well we have worked together as a united front. To date, I can think of no campaign that has resulted in greater victories. Yes, we lost one of our own, but his sacrifice is about to be avenged."

  Kirilli took his seat to ponder the mission he and Nikoli were preparing to embark upon.

  "Kirilli," spoke Nikoli, "I have a few words for the day. You are a much better orator then I shall ever be. I will make it short. It has been an honor fighting by your side. You have shown me a different way of life. For that I am thankful. Friends heed my words. We will be returning back home. We will go see this Heinrich Himmler and maybe even the man they worship, Adolf Hitler, and teach them they have trespassed on lands they will never conquer." Nikoli fell into silence.

  "Then it is done. Tomorrow, Nikoli and I will head to Krakow."

  * * *

  The men headed out early in the morning. They knew from experience a patrol would pass through Skawina around 10:00am. They needed to be there before the patrol arrived; they didn't want to miss them. They arrived about 9:45am just on the outskirts of town. The normal pattern in the past indicated the guards would be moving south out of Skawina. The area they chose was lightly wooded. For someone trying to escape, it would have proven pointless. The nearest thick tree line was one hundred meters either side of the road. Even a soldier with poor aim would be able to at least wound any escapee trying to flee his captors.

  "Do you see them?" asked Nikoli.

  "Yes. Are you ready?"

  "Yes, I am anxious to make the acquaintance of Herr Himmler."

  The two men leisurely walked north making no attempt to hide their approach.

  "Captain, look. Two men on the road. Should we encounter them or let them pass? Many have diss...."

  "Silence, Private," bellowed Captain Beck. "The tales you have heard are exactly that, tales from nightmares of your youth. They are stories from gypsies and old men to frighten money into their pockets. If you continue with those thoughts, maybe you prefer to be a guard in one of the camps being built for all of the refugees?

  "No, Herr Captain. I would not."

  "Wise decision, Private. We shall let them approach."

  "Papers please," ordered the private. "Papers."

  "Kirilli, do you have any papers? I seemed to have left mine at home."

  "No, Nikoli, I too do not have any papers."

  "Gentlemen, your papers please." The private was becoming a bit nervous. He felt the men were behaving oddly. They did not show the normal look of fear most of the locals did, even when they had the proper documents.

  "Gentlemen, I must see your papers now." He was lowering his rifle.

  "Herr Private, we have no papers and have no desire to obtain any." The directness and arrogance of Nikoli completely unnerved the lowly private.

  "Herr Captain, come quickly." The captain impatiently approached the three men.

  "Private, can you not handle a simple document check?"

  "Herr Captain, they have no papers and are refusing to obtain any."

  The c
aptain took a good hard look at both men. They were nothing more than local peasants. They would be taught to follow the rules of the Third Reich or perish under its heel.

  "Gentlemen, if you do not produce papers immediately, I will be forced to arrest the both of you. I assure you, it would go much better for each of you to comply."

  "Herr Captain,” retorted Nikoli. "We not only do not have papers, but as we told your private, we have no intention of applying for them." The insolence of this peasant. How dare he question an officer of the Third Reich. I shall teach him a lesson. Captain Beck approached Nikoli and slapped his face hard with his leather glove.

  "Peasant, you will follow orders and will learn to obey the superior race.” A red welt started slowly appearing on his left cheek from the captain's blow. He rubbed a hand on his cheek then stared at the man.

  "Herr Captain, that was a serious mistake." He lunged at Beck throwing him onto the ground. Even in human form he possessed enormous strength. The mortal human was no match for Nikoli. The other eight guards rushed to their captain's assistance landing blow after blow with the butts of their rifles on Nikoli’s body. After two minutes of being beaten, he relinquished his grasp on the captain.

  "Dog, I should shoot you on the spot. I have no reason to allow your meager life's existence to continue." The captain reached for his Luger Pistol and removed it from the holder.

  "Captain, I wouldn't do that." Kirilli moved forward yet kept a respective distance from the group.

  "Captain, the men you have been seeking for? He is one of them." The captain looked down at the man who was slowly rising from the ground, regaining his footing. His face was filling with rage. Just as the man was regaining his balance, the captain kicked him hard in the gut. He again collapsed to the ground.

  "Captain, I almost forgot to mention something; I am the other man you seek."

  The rage and fury burning in the captain's mind was overwhelming his senses. Kirilli too felt the rifle butts striking his body.

  * * *

  "Herr Colonel, I have a present to deliver."

  "Captain, I hope this is important. I do not like being interrupted."

  "Herr Colonel, my apologies, but I have good news. Today's patrol produced an unexpected yield."

  The captain motioned for his men to bring in the prisoners.

  "Herr Colonel, these are the men who have been attacking and killing our comrades." Eckhardt looked up as Nikoli and Kirilli were brought into the room. Each man was bloodied and bruised from the beating the patrol had inflicted on them. They had felt it was their duty to avenge the death and disappearance of their comrades by roughing up the captives.

  "Captain, how do you know these two pathetic peasants are responsible for the attacks?" The captain wasn't expecting to be questioned. He thought the colonel would be well pleased that the offenders had finally been caught.

  "Herr Colonel, both men made a full confession on the road. They described in detail how they ambushed and killed our men."

  "Captain, do you really believe that these two men are responsible for all of the attacks? Did they mention any accomplices?" The captain had forgotten his place. He had let his emotions overtake him when the men surrendered.

  "No sir, they did not."

  "Captain, take them to the police station and hold them. Do not harm them any more. If what you say is true, then by the order of Reichsfuehrer Heinrich Himmler, these men are to be taken to Wewelsburg, where Herr Himmler will personally conduct a thorough investigation."

  "Jawohl, Herr Colonel."

  "Captain, I will mention your name in the report. Good work." The captain smiled as he left the room. He could easily obtain a medal and a promotion for such an excellent find.

  After the captain exited the room, Colonel Eckhardt picked up the phone and placed a call.

  "General Von DerGraff please. I'll wait....."

  "Yes, this is General Von DerGraff."

  "Colonel Eckhardt, sir. It is time."

  Chapter 21

  Himmler

  The plan was progressing on schedule. Von DerGraff had informed General Heidrick that they had captured the leaders of the partisan band which had plagued the occupation forces of Southern Poland, and whom were directly responsible for the attack at the police station. It was agreed that Heidrick and Von DerGraff would escort Nikoli and Kirilli to Wewelsburg as prized possessions captured by the Third Reich. Heidrick had informed Himmler they had captured, interrogated, and rounded up the partisan band that had wreaked such havoc in Southern Poland. All of the partisans, except Kirilli Boirarsky and Nikoli Romanov, had been liquidated on the spot or shipped off to camps. Himmler was very pleased and relieved the nuisance had been disposed of. The disappearance of so many of his elite men was starting to draw unwanted attention in his direction from the OKH and Hitler himself. There were rumblings of Himmler being replaced if he couldn't maintain an efficient security force in the conquered countries, especially with the upcoming invasion of "Mother Russia." If Himmler couldn't control Southern Poland, how would his men be able to secure the vast lands of Russia?

  Nikoli and Kirilli were anxious for the meeting with the Reichsfuehrer. If their calculations were correct, General Von DerGraff would melt before Himmler and Heidrick's eyes. They believed if the hierarchy of the Third Reich witnessed what awaited all Germans currently patrolling the land and towns surrounding Krakow, they would be convinced to leave. It would be a much better way of sending a message than any spoken words or written correspondence could convey.

  The men would be loaded onto a plane at Todt Airfield in Krakow, flown straight to Paderborn, and then driven to Himmler's headquarters at Wewelsburg Castle. General Heidrick looked forward to presenting the Reichsfuehrer with such a wonderful present. The delivery of the pestilence could reward him with another promotion and greater responsibilities for the upcoming invasion of Russia.

  The flight would leave at 7:00 am sharp the next morning under heavy guard. Heidrick could not afford for these two trophies to escape. If the men escaped, his fate and future with the Third Reich could have disastrous repercussions to the illustrious career he was pursuing. Losing these men could earn him a trip to one of the camps he was currently supervising.

  Nikoli and Kirilli were loaded into a typical canvas covered military truck. There were at least two dozen guards supervising the loading, for their lives were also at stake. No one wanted to report that the men had escaped. But theses prisoners had never shown any contempt for their captors. They gave the impression of being pleased they had been caught. Their resistance had been minimal. Most of the other prisoners they had encountered had shown obvious signs of fear and panic in the hands of the SS, but these men were different. They carried a sense of true authority and respect. It mattered not how many times they were beaten or strung up, they never cried out or whimpered. They remained stoic and strong. Himmler would break them. He had methods in his castle that no man could hold out against.

  The truck pulled onto the tarmac by the side of a Junkers 52 airplane. It was an odd plane with three engines, one on each wing and one on the nose. Nikoli motioned to Kirilli, “They will need all of that horsepower for this cargo."

  Kirilli let out an approving laugh. "Yes, my friend."

  One of the guards immediately shouted for both men to be silent and continue towards the plane. It was ringed with more guards. It reminded Nikoli of the sights he had witnessed at the rail station. All of these heavily armed soldiers for two unarmed men. Too bad their guns wouldn't have the desired effect if used. Kirilli detected the change of attitude in Nikoli. "Not yet. These men are not worth our time. It is Herr Himmler we shall surprise. Please, let us board the plane and finish what we started."

  "Raush swine, Raush. Be silent or die where you stand," one of the guards bellowed.

  Both men quietly entered the cramped plane and took their seats. General Heidrick and General Von DerGraff were already seated in the front of the plane. Nikoli noticed Co
lonel Eckhardt had also joined them. "Kirilli, look to the front." He was not pleased with the sight of the colonel. He had been infected two weeks before Von DerGraff. Why was he still alive? He had performed his tasks dutifully but should have already died. Was the organism not fully functional? Nothing could be done now. They had to reach their destination without mishap. He noticed the colonel with a moistened towel in his left hand.

  A guard shackled them to the seats with heavy leg irons and handcuffs. The guard smiled as he threw the last latch on each man. "We can't have this precious cargo damaged. Herr Himmler is anxious to make your acquaintance in one piece." He released a small condescending laugh as he placed the keys into his pocket and sat down behind them. Twelve more guards took their assigned seats. The door was closed, the engines revved, and the plane slowly moved towards the runway. The tower cleared the pilot for take-off. The power of the three BMW 132 T radial engines (each cranking out 715 horse power) roared to a crescendo and the plane slowly started speeding down the runway. In seconds it was airborne, destination Paderborn. In less than four hours they would come face to face with the man who had been inflicting so much pain.

  The flight was rough but manageable. Neither Kirilli nor Nikoli had ever flown in a plane. They had watched them dance across the Eastern Skies during World War I and marveled that man had grown wings. It mattered not. They were only men and all men would die by their hand, natural causes, or a nasty bite. But still they admired the machines in the air.