“He has told me nothing. He was only back two days before you had him arrested. What could I possible know?”
“Anneke you must think you are clever. You sleep with the man; of course he told you everything. All men like to brag to their mistresses.”
“I swear; we had no time together. When he came back he was very tired and slept for almost twenty hours. He was moody and didn’t want to talk about anything. I know nothing about what transpired at the conference,” Anneke told him.
“I see, so you just sat and looked at each other.”
“No, he talked about how impressed he was with the American's ability to organize the conference with so few resources. He talked about the cooperation between the Russians and the Americans. How beautiful Portugal was. Nothing in detail. Just ramblings really.”
“You are a convincing liar. I almost believe you myself,” he said and turned and opened the outer door.
“Corporal Zess. Frau Anneke has decided to reside here. She would feel safer with us. Escort her to the cells in the basement. Have Frau Zoller explain to her what happens to those who do not cooperate,”
“Yes Chancellor.”
“You are out of your mind? You will not get away with this. You can call yourself Chancellor but the people with eventually see you for what you are,” she spat out.
Corporal Zess grabbed her by the hair and started dragging her out of the room. She was screaming when the door shut.
* * * *
Anneke lay on the thin mattress, shivering. They had taken her clothing and left her with a thin nightgown that barely came to her knees. The overhead light that was suspended out of reach above the bed was never turned off. No other light was visible in the cell.
Her ribs ached and she was sure she had two black eyes. Zoller had administered several forms of punishment to demonstrate what would happen if she failed to cooperate.
She heard the outer door clang open. It didn’t seem like it had been that long since she had eaten last. A key turned in the steel cell door and there stood Frau Zoller with her hands on her hips. Anneke slowly rolled out of the bed, holding her ribs.
“Is there a problem?” Zoller asked.
“My ribs. I think they may be broken.”
“What a shame. However we don’t have time for that now. Come,” she said stepping out of the door and pointing down the hall.
Anneke slowly made her way down the hall hoping that Zoller wouldn’t decide she was moving too slow and beat her again.
“Stop. The door on the right. Open it,” Zoller ordered.
She opened the door and was roughly pushed into the room. The room was damp and dingy. A large floor drain was in the center of the room.
“Over there,” Zoller pointed, “Raise your arms.”
Anneke did as told and Zoller quickly attached ropes around each wrist.
“What are you going to do?” Anneke asked.
“You need a shower. I am going to give you one,” she said and cut the gown from Anneke’s body.
She went to the wall and pushed a button. Anneke’s arms were drawn over her head until she was just standing on her toes. The pain in her ribs almost made her pass out.
“This may be a bit uncomfortable but you will not think about your ribs so much,” she said.
Zoller walked over and unrolled a fire hose and turned on the water adjusting it until a thin stream of water shot out of the nozzle. She turned it on the hanging body of Anneke.
The ice cold water was like a thousand bee stings as it hit her body. She screamed but Zoller continued to spray her body, circling her. The force was so intense that her skin turned red as if someone was beating her. The volume of water was so great that it was making it almost impossible for Anneke to breath. She squirmed as much as she could but Zoller only came closer. At last she couldn’t get enough oxygen and she could feel herself beginning to black out. Good, she thought, at least the pain will be gone and then she fainted.
* * * *
Anneke awoke and felt like she had been severely beaten. Every part of her body cried out in pain. She lay shivering, unable to sit up. Her gown had just been thrown over her, evidently when they brought her back to the cell. Now she wished that she had just died. She could never take a second session like that. She hurt so badly that she didn’t even want to open her eyes for fear they would hurt as well.
She finally managed to sit up, almost fainting in the process. She didn’t know how long it took before she had the strength to stand and put her gown back on. It was an agonizing process and when she was done she fell back on the mattress and prayed that they would leave her alone.
* * * *
“Have a seat Herr Ramsden,” Chancellor Schenck said.
“I would rather stand.”
“Ah. Now I see that Frau Anneke is not the only stubborn one.”
Ramsden decided it was best not to say anything. Schenck was obviously trying to provoke him. He didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.
“Herr Ramsden, I want you to tell me what went on in Lisbon. I want details.”
“I’ve told you all I know. We decided on many things. Using the metric system in all countries, a money system based on Platinum-190, how to mark the days of the month and years. Nothing that you need to be worried about if that is what you mean. None of us knew what you were doing while we were at the conference. How could we?”
Schenck looked at him for several seconds, “You know you are no better at lying than Frau Anneke. You two are a good match,” he said and stood and walked to the door.
He opened it and spoke to the guard outside for a few minutes and then came and sat back down.
“Frau Anneke has been our guest for the past few days, perhaps you were unaware of that.”
“You bastard. You have no right to drag her into this,” Ramsden said stepping forward.
Schenck never moved. His pistol was within reach, “You are quite wrong Ramsden. I have every right to protect the German people by whatever means I choose.”
“Just like Hitler.”
“Ah. I wondered when you would get around to saying something like that. Anytime someone steps up to assume the role of leader, small minded people yell ‘Hitler’. And what is so bad about that? The Earth trembled when he spoke. Nations cowered in fear. Great things were accomplished. Other nations are still trying to duplicate what we accomplished in 1939. It was only the lack of resources that kept Germany from being the ruler of the world.”
“Yes, Hitler would have conquered the world except for few million Russian soldiers to the north and west. Then of course there is the small problem of the Americans to the south and east. Just a few small details you seem to conveniently overlook,” Ramsden said.
“You have never understood the role of Germany. We are the natural leaders of the world.”
“I don’t think we will be leading the world anytime soon,” Ramsden replied.
“We will see,” Schenck said as the door opened and Zoller shoved Anneke in the room.
Ramsden ran over and grabbed her and pulled her to him.
He glared at Schenck, “You bastard. What have you done to her?” he yelled.
Anneke was shivering uncontrollably against him. Her thin gown was torn where Zoller had yanked her along. Her beautiful long black hair was now only an inch long.
“Now we will have a serious talk Herr Ramsden or else your precious Anneke will be taken back to her cell and...well, let’s just say we won’t be so gentle next time.”
“I’ll kill you for this Schenck,” Ramsden shouted.
“I think not. Now, sit down like I told you or else she goes back to her cell. Anneke my dear, you may sit as well,” he said pointing to a chair.
Ramsden helped her over to the chair and eased her down. He sat down beside her, her head leaning on his shoulder.
“Now,” Schenck said, “You can tell me the other parts that you have seemed to overlook about what went on in Lisbon.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
- Colorado Springs –
Randy sat in the dark hospital room, looking at Rachel. Her condition was not getting any better and the medicine seemed to be having little affect. He knew he wasn’t doing the things he should be and yet it didn’t seem to matter. He wasn't even able to concentrate on his daughter, Sophie. Thankfully his neighbor was enjoying caring for her.
Dan Pierson had pretty much stepped in with his administrative duties and seemed to be on top of things as far as he knew. He blamed himself for not being there when Rachel needed him the most. He should have sent others to Lisbon and stayed home with Rachel. ‘Always have to be the hero, don’t you’, he thought. Instead of taking care of his wife he was off gallivanting to Portugal to save the world.
The door to the room opened and Randy squinted his eyes.
“Yes?”
“Randy, it's Dan.”
“Oh. Just a second. I’ll meet you in the lounge,” he said standing and tucking his shirt in.
He walked over and kissed Rachel on the forehead and went down to talk to Dan.
“Sorry to bother you but I thought you would want to know. Major Miller has linked up with the Russians, Italians and Spanish. Nothing from France yet but they are not really expecting much from them.”
“When are they headed to Berlin?”
“They left this morning. They have probably crossed into Germany by now. They plan to send troops to surround the city and then use a coordinated attack. At last report, they had fairly good communications using some old Vietnam era gear.”
“Thank you Dan. I’m sorry to dump all of this on you.”
“Randy, you aren’t dumping anything on me. I would do the exact same thing if I were in your shoes. I know you probably blame yourself partly for Rachel but your being here would have changed nothing. It isn’t in your hands. You will have to realize that sooner or later.”
“I never should have gone. You and the others were more than capable. But no. Randy has to have control. Dan, sometimes I feel like the biggest jackass on the planet.”
“Well the good news is, not many people are left so you don’t have to try so hard.”
Randy looked at him a moment then broke out laughing. They both laughed until they could hardly stand.
“Thanks Dan. I really needed that.”
“Always happy to help. Listen, we have a good start on the census and history of the people here in Colorado Springs. We are breaking it down into race, age, sex, married, single, living together, religious preference and any background information such as where they were when The Event occurred and relatives that were lost if they can remember them.”
“That’s excellent Dan,” he said patting him on the back.
“You hang in there Randy. We are all pulling for you and Rachel.”
“You don’t know how much that means to me. Thanks for the update and the laugh. They are both appreciated.”
“I’ll be back when I have more news. It’s slow coming in. Having no direct communications is a real drag.”
“Makes you wonder how they ever coordinated anything like ‘D Day’.”
“We have been relying on technology for so long that it makes everything more difficult when you have to start over,” Dan said.
“Amen to that,” Randy replied.
* * * *
Eric Danzick had become the leader of the Utah Freeman by virtue of being the most ruthless. He was fearless and had little regard for human life. No one knew how many men and women he had killed but none doubted that he was not finished by a long shot.
At six five, two hundred and forty pounds he was an imposing figure. He had a long scar across his right cheek and ear. It was from a piece of shrapnel he received just outside of Kabul, Afghanistan when he was in the Marines.
He was a handful even then.
Company commanders were never happy when they found he was assigned to their particular unit. Because of this, he was bounced around quite a lot and made almost no friends. He was a loner and preferred it that way.
His rag-tag Utah Freeman Army was loosely based on the military structure but with none of the Mickey Mouse crap that went with it, at least in his opinion. The one concession was that rank was necessary for practical purposes. Everyone in his group was considered a warrior. Men and women were both expected to fight. Those who did not were shot with no fanfare.
“Commander. One of our Intel people from Colorado is back and needs to speak to you,” a young sergeant announced.
“Sure. Bring him in.”
“In here,” the man shouted and a strikingly beautiful woman came walking into the room. Tall, with auburn hair and green eyes, she was something that he was definitely not prepared for.
Danzick was taken aback by her sensuous looks. He just stood there staring at her.
“I’m Laura Quinn, nice to meet you,” she said offering her hand.
Danzick just continued to look at her.
“Commander?” she asked finally.
“Ah, yes. Sorry, I was expecting a man.”
“Obviously I am not a man,” she replied.
“Yes, that is quite apparent. Please sit down. I understand you have some information for me,” he said, trying to focus again.
“Yes. I believe you will want to know this. As you know I have been in Colorado Springs for some time. I have managed to blend in quite nicely. I was given a job at the school they have set up and have been teaching the young men and women there. One of the nice things about my job is that it puts me in touch with young men who are quite easily manipulated.”
“Yes. I can see how that would come about,” Danzick replied.
“Anyway, because of this I know a great deal about what is going on. All I have to do is express an interest in a certain subject and they knock themselves out to find the answer. It is so simple that it is sometimes hard to keep from laughing.”
“Yes, I can see that too. So what is this information you have?”
“It seems that the Colorado people were able to get an old Navy ship operating. Not only that, but they have found a way to communicate with other countries. I don’t know how many but certainly a few. Anyway, some of them got on the ship and went to Europe and held meetings with the other nations.”
“This is not good,” Danzick mused, “They are getting more advanced all the time. At some point they will want to come after us.”
“Not for a while. It seems that something happened during the meeting and Colorado took a group of volunteers and headed back over to Europe.”
“When?”
“Just a week or so ago. I don’t know why but I did get a peek at the airport before they left. They had all kinds of weapons and supplies that they were loading on the planes.”
“Then they are weak now. With their fighters overseas they won’t have a way to defend themselves. We could sweep in and take them out. Hell, we could just take over the entire place. They would work for us or we would eliminate them. This is important news. When are they coming back?”
“I don’t know for sure but I think I could find out. Let’s face it; they can’t get back very fast. All they have is the one ship.”
“We need to get our people ready. Do you think you can really find out how long they are going to be gone? It will take us some time to get into position to attack them,” he said.
“I think I can get that information. After all, one of my students must have a parent who knows something. Oh, by the way, they have a radio station. If all else fails I can probably get the information there but I don’t want to do that unless I have to,”
“A radio station? They are much more advanced that we are. We need to get their technology and supplies. Laura. Is it alright if I call you by your first name?”
“Of course Eric,” she said and smiled.
No one had called him Eric is so long the name sounded strange to him. He gave a half smile.
“Laura we need hard Intel on
how many troops have been left behind and when the others will be back. Any military information you can gather will be extremely critical. Do you think you can do that?”
“I’m pretty sure I can get what you need,” Laura said, smiling at him.
“We will be indebted to you. How long do you intend to stay with us? It is fairly urgent that you get the information as soon as possible.”
“I will probably stay only a day or two at most. I am supposed to be in Denver helping with an inventory of supplies. I was able to slip away and I doubt anyone will ever realize I was gone. I can’t go back too soon because the inventory was going to take two or three days at least,” she told him.
“Alright. We don’t want to raise suspicion. Stay as long as you need. I will arrange for you to be sheltered while you are here.”
“Thank you,” she said not attempting to move.
“Is there something else?” he asked after a few seconds.
“I was just wondering, if we are successful in overpowering Colorado, is there a place for me in your command?”
“I can assure you. You will be well taken care of. To answer the question directly. By all means, yes, there will be a place for you of great importance.”
“Excellent. Thank you. Who should I see about accommodations?” Laura asked.
“The sergeant will show you to your quarters. Laura, thank you for bringing this to me.”
“Glad to help.”
“Perhaps...”
“Yes?”
“Nothing really.”
“You were going to ask if I would like to have dinner with you?”
“Uh, well, yes. Please don’t feel like it is an obligation,” he stammered.
Damn this woman. He was acting like a school boy rather than the leader of an army. He needed to get a grip on himself.
“I would be delighted. You can tell me all about what has been going on since I left. I’m anxious to catch up on what everyone has been up to,” Laura said.
“I will have someone come get you. Is seven o’clock good?”
“That would be just dandy. See you then,” she said and waved as she walked out.
THE REVELATION - Book 3 (THE EVENT) Page 10