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Post by dave on Aug 25, 2017 20:00:03 GMT
Project Chemical Warrior
Prologue
Wednesday January 13 1943
Amazon Jungle, Rioguay, Earth I
Three people surveyed the empty he village of the Children of the Sun. Each was incredibly old, but only one of the three looked elderly. He was kneeling beside the open graves with a professional eye. For the last thirty years he was known as the archaeologist Harry Hahn. A phonetic facsimile of his given name, Arion of Atlantis. “Well, we have one less worry Xan, these graves were dug up and the corpses were transported away. All except that one” He said pointing to the center most grave. “Whoever was in there dug himself out.”
“Danner,” said the tall muscular black man who stood outside the graves. “There are no tracks of any kind Arion. No hint of anything arcane either.”
“No, they were taken by men of science, German and Japanese scientists.” said the black haired woman who circled the graves in a slow counter clockwise walk.
Arion stood up and looked around. “Are you sure your cards say this could give the Axis the power to win the war?”
“Yes. They also say they could allow the Bear to dominate the world” said the woman.
Arion looked at the black man before asking “Where are they now?”
The black man made a simple motion with his hands before saying “Occupied France – en route to Nazi Germany” said Nommo.
The three stood quietly for a moment before saying “Then there's nothing we can do, unless we want to become pawns of Hitler” said said Madam Xanadu.
“We can't even tell Clark. Superman and the other powerful heroes are under the same restrictions we are” said Nommo.
Arion folded his arms, placing his right hand under his chin and thought about the problem. “The Eagle from he land with no king must defeat the Mad Eagle and the Rising Sun with the aid of the Lion and the Bear otherwise the Anti-Monitor wins the next Crisis” he said from memory.
“The Bear cannot dominate the world after the Mad Eagle is destroyed – else the Anti-Monitor win the next Crisis” said Nommo also from memory.
“I know what I told you all those years ago in Delphi” said Madam Xanadu in an exasperated voice. “Where's the Immortal? He could stop this madness.”
“No,” said Arion. He was killed last year. His new body is not even out of diapers yet.”
“I wondered why he wasn't here” said Nommo.
“There is still two others who were there that day...” said Madam Xanadu.
Arion frowned as he said “The Phantom Stranger comes and goes as he pleases Xan and Queen Hippolyta is still on Themyscria, hidden from the world of man.”
“Her daughter's not” said Madam Xanadu.
“What?” said Arion, who had been living in Egypt sin 1939.
“That's right Princess Diana's Wonder Woman” said Nommo as he snapped his fingers. “But she's under the same restriction as Clark and us.”
“But, like Clark she hides who she really is. Only she works for the Eagle's military intelligence” said Madam Xanadu. “The Eagle's military has to fight this evil.”
“And if they fail...” said Nommo.
“The Anti-Monitor wins” finished Arion.
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Post by dave on Aug 26, 2017 14:09:03 GMT
Chapter 1
The Warning
Wednesday January 21st
Diana Prince had just finished a long fifteen hour day in he offices army intelligence at the Pentagon. Unlike the other members in her office, she was not in he least bit tired. She was the Amazon Princess Diana of Themyscria, and as she such had far more stamina than mere mortals. More stamina than a lot of immortals too. It was a very weary Madam Xanadu who saw Diana get off at her bus stop two blocks from the woman's apartment house Wonder Woman resided in as Diana Prince.
Madam Xanadu paid for her multiple cups of coffee and crossed he street. She walked very deliberately towards the Themyscrian Princess. The Princess was a warrior born. She was aware of her entire surroundings. She noted the tall beautiful black haired woman approaching her the moment she came out of he cafe. Diana paid attention to her the moment it became apparent that she was headed in Diana's direction. Alert for any threat. What happened next that took Diana completely by surprise.
“Hola,” said he woman in a soft voice, speaking the very ancient Greek that was Diana's native tongue. It flowed from the strangers lips in a way that said it was also her native language. I bring Greetings from Arion of Atlantis.”
Diana stopped in her tracks for while that name was seldom spoken of in her mother's talks, the owner was a man her mother truly respected. “What does the ancient immortal want?”
“What all of us immortals want. A victory over the Anti-Monitor” said the woman.
Diana took note, whoever this woman was, she was claiming to be an immortal herself. Diana knew the prophecy the Seeress of Delphi had told her mother centuries ago: Her daughter would die when the Anti-Monitor next showed himself. She did blink when she asked “Is that time soon?”
“Not for at least a generation or two” assured the woman. But all my prophecies shall come to naught if the Allies do not prevail in this war, especially America” the woman said.
“Then you are Apollo's Seeress” exclaimed Princess Diana.
“I was, but the day I made that final prophecy I was given the gift and curse of immortality by Apollo. Now I am simply Madam Xanadu. And I have foreseen a possible disaster that makes all of our preparations for the next crisis worthless. This is why Arion sends his warning.
“What is it?” Asked Diana
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Post by dave on Aug 26, 2017 14:35:09 GMT
Chapter 2 The Planners
Sunday, February 28th 1943
Outside London England
The bald man was smoking his pipe as he read report after report. His eyes hurt from all his reading. He stood as he took off his glasses. He cleaned them again in the forlorn hope that would make easier to read the two inch tall stack of papers still on his desk. Control stood, he glanced at the clock. Noting the time he left his office and went up to the main floor of the apartment drab house just outside London because his opposite number would be there in two minutes.
The Head of MI-6's European office was a gray haired man with a handlebar mustache, portly with a husky voice caused by too many cigarettes. He wasn't surprised when Control met his as soon as he entered the apartment house. He would do exactly the same in two days when they were next scheduled to meet at his headquarters.
They went to a quiets study talked about a great many things that night involving the European theater of the war oer a glass of scotch. They talked of the Soviet Union and its recent victories, of the continuing American and British success in Africa and the upcoming plans for the invasion of Sicily. There really was nothing new to discuss until the Englishman brought news from on of his top agents in Poland.
“Pavalski reports the Germans have killed a number of the Russians Wolf Pack” said the Englishman.
“So I've heard from my contact in the Soviet Union. It seems Gort's their last agent besides the young girl.”
The Englishman leaned forward and said “True, but she was supposedly born with her powers as opposed to the Wolf Pack. Their abilities were created by Soviet scientists.”
Control lit his pipe. He knew there was more to this report that the Soviet Wolf Pack was all but destroyed. “What are you not telling me General?”
“The Wolf Pack's bodies are en route to Germany. They're being sent to a specially built base in under a mountain. Commanded by a German scientist named Anton Arcane.
Control nodded as he said “I can confirm the veracity of the communique I received from Washington last month. One of my mobile agents reported dozen of cadavers being off loaded from submarines earlier this month. The bodies pf the Children of the Dawn have finally arrived from South America. They are also being sent to Arcane's base”
The British general new the roving agent that Control spoke of because he had worked for him before America entered the war. “I believe Darnell 's report said Hugo Danner was alive. Did the Guerrilla see him as well?”
“Yes” said Control.
“Did you know the Soviets are planning a raid on Arcane's base.”
“No.”
“Your agent, the former Blackhawk, Gaynor is leading their team. I told you he's been turned. He prefers the Soviet style of war.”
“We can't let the Soviets gain whatever scientific breakthroughs the Nazis are working on. We have to send a team in to infiltrate gather whatever information we can, and then destroy the base.
Control puffed on his pipe for sometime before saying “Most of my assets in the field are in the middle of assignments. Flying a commando team in is very risky.”
“Unfortunately the Death Patrol is in Asia” said the general
“The Suicide Squad is still being refitted from its last mission in Africa “ proffered Control
“The Blackhawks are out of commission for at least a month. Their last mission had several members wounded and one killed” reported the general
“Still, Blackhawk could go in” said control
“No, have him take out whatever information we gather” said the Englishman
“Use agents on already the ground?” question the American
“Right, are very best.” nodded the Britisher
“To infiltrate and gather information...” started Control
“...and then to attack and destroy” finished the General
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Post by dave on Aug 26, 2017 14:46:22 GMT
Chapter 3 The Infiltrators
Monday March 8th 1943
Berlin Germany
The man's entire head was encased in white bandages. He sat in the basement of a bombed out building. He had finally formulated a workable plan for his phase of the operation, the man he would replace was high enough in military circles to be heeded to when an order was given, but not too high to be missed in the highest echelons of the.
He had found most of the information about the German research base was restricted. A scientist with the rank of a SS colonel was in charge, with the security handled by a Major Franz, who just returned to active duty after being wounded in North Africa. The Unknown Soldier discovered Arcane was trying to replicate the work that created Captain Nazi and Baron Blitzkrieg. There were even Japanese scientists who worked on the Captain Nippon project there.
Given the recent debacles at Stalingrad and Africa Germany hoped to create a full division or more of chemically enhanced soldiers would turn the tide to Germany's favor once again. “Now there's a frightening thought” thought the Unknown Soldier as he donned his new identity.
The Wehrmacht High Command took no notice of General Conrad Berth when he entered, he was just one of many general returning after recuperating from injuries fighting on the Russian Front. The Unknown Soldier grunted responses to questions from underlings and spoke minimally with equals and superiors. He went to the communications hub of OKW and had two dispatches sent out. One to Poland and the other to occupied France. He signed his name and left the building. The next day the general's body was found and it was determined that he died in the previous night's British bombing raid.
Colonel Riker reported to his office in Paris France. He wanted to be in Germany but his superiors thought he would be of better use in Occupied France. His orders were to create as much as havoc as he could in occupied Europe as the Americommando. Thus he created as much trouble for the Nazis in France.
Tex Thompson studied the paper in the seemingly bland note from Berlin ordering him to conduct an inspection of a research facility in Germany. Three words were arranged in an unusual order. That was the signal that he had another message in the communique. A message from his real superiors. He memorized the note before returning it to the communications officer. He was to meet two other agents in Munich and before infiltrating the German research facility.
Baron Pavalski had had a successful night destroying a train filled with armaments and supplies headed to the Russian Front. That morning Major Hurtz winced when he read the reports about the trains destruction. He once again personally vowed to catch and destroy the Marksman.
“Not today” said the major's superior “You've been transferred to Munich. You are to report to a Colonel Riker.
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Post by dave on Sept 14, 2017 17:11:05 GMT
Chapter 4
The Infiltrators Meet
Friday March 12th 1943
Munich, Germany
It took Major Hurtz five days to travel by train, car and foot. The Allies bombing was slowly destroying Germany's infrastructure and industries. Pavalski was happy to see the destruction even as it made his current mission difficult. He arrived in Munich late on Friday and reported to Colonel Riker, who was residing in a posh hotel.
As of yet he didn't know that his assignment had been originated by the Allies. It was only when he met Riker . Riker threw out a mundane phrase that was a sign. Hurtz gave the counter-sign and both men breathed a little easier, for now they were two men in a nation of enemies.
They went to Riker's room's. There the Americommando met the Marksman. Tex, the oil baron recited to the Polish baron the communique he received. The Marksman listened to each word of the the Americommando . He parsed the real message from the Allies before saying “Who's the third member of our team?” Pavlski asked.
“Don't know” said Tex, “But I think he sent this himself.”
“That means he probably has multiple identities” said Pavalski.
“Yeah”
“X of the Underground is a master of disguises from what I understand” said the Polish hero
“Yeah, but she French and only works in France. This came from Germany – that means a new player.”
Pavalski frowned “The British have used a detective named Cosmo.”
“No, he's training agents now. Too old for field work.”
Pavalski shrugged his shoulders as he said “I'm too old for active field service according to the British manual.”
Tex smiled back at the Marksman “As am I. As am I for the United States.”
“But you're the famed Americommando, the Germans fear you more than your armies.”
“I'm still relatively new at this game, but when the Marksman is mention half the Krauts pee in their pants and the other $#!* themselves.”
Both men laughed as they traded war stories into the night. The next morning they went to the motor pool. They were assigned a vehicle and driver who knew how to get to the facility. Once their car was deep in the woods on the way to the entrance of the research facility the sergeant pulled the car over to one side.
The sergeant turned and looked at the two men. Each one of them had been in the field years longer than he had. Each one was a far more dangerous combatant than he was. Still he was in command. He nodded at the pair of heroes and said the code words. Together the pair gave him the expected responses.
“Marksman, Americommando, I am the Unknown Soldier. I going to brief you just this once so pay attention. We're going into the Mole's Den. It's a German scientific facility buried deep under a mountain. It's purpose is to create chemically enhanced super soldiers.”
“You mean like Hour Man?” asked Tex.
“Yes, but they would prefer them to be more like Captain Nazi”.
The Marksman swallowed hard. He had heard of these Supermen from America and Germany, but had never seen them. “The Germans are powerful enough with out super soldiers.”
“Agreed” said the Unknown Soldier. “But the Germans have created some and want more, many more. They have recently brought the bodies of a super South America tribe called the Sons of Dawn as well as the bodies of Soviet enhanced soldiers called the Wolf Pack to the Mole's Den. They hope to learn how to duplicate their powers by dissecting them. They also have an enhanced American with them.
Tex who knew many of America's heroes and Villains from his brief time with the All-Star Squadron asked “Who” with deep concern.
“Hugo Danner” said the Unknown Soldier. “We don't know if its willingly or not, but we should treat him as the enemy given the events in South America.”
Tex looked at Pavalski and said “Hugo Danner is on par with Superman or Captain Marvel how are we supposed to go against him.”
“We don't, Not now anyway. Our job is to go in and make an inspection of the Mole's Den. When we come out in tomorrow we'll rendezvous with another team. That's when we take down the Mole Den.
Unless the Russians come first. Then we take any papers from them because we don't want the Russians to have this information either.”
“The Russians?” asked Pavalski.
“Yeah they're assembling a team to attack the Mole Den” said Unknown Soldier. “Fortunately the weather isn't cooperating with their plans.”
Tex asked“Any idea whose are reinforcements are?
“No body strong enough to take on Danner or the Steel Wolf” said the Unknown Soldier.
Chapter 5
The Rifleman
The Mole's Den
Friday March 12th 1943
Alpine Wilderness, Germany
The Americommando and Marksman looked at one another and then at the Unknown Soldier. It was an uncomfortable silent moment. The Marksman then sighed. “I have been fighting the Germans for four and a half years. You Americans have been in the war for less than two and in war you are sometimes given an order that you know will kill you, but...”
“...But still you follow those orders.” Said Tex Thompson.
“Right,” said the Unknown Soldier. “But right now we wait until one of our reinforcements arrive. He's going to reconnoiter ground around the Mole Den and take note of the patrol routes.”
“And stay unseen by the best the Nazi's have to offer?” question the Americommando with a trace. of incredulous.
“It won' t be a problem. I just need to know where the rendezvous for the others is” said a voice in the trees. All three passengers peered into the woods; unable to spot the voices owner.
The Marksman smiled as he said “I thought I recognized that voice” as a man dressed in white, instead of his usual green jumped down from the tree canopy with a rifle slung over his back. “Gentlemen may I introduce to you the Sniper. Sniper the higher ranking German officer in the back seat with me is the Americommando, and our illustrious driver is the Unknown Soldier. “
The Sniper nodded and said the other will be here tomorrow. Where do I meet them?”
“There's an open glen two kilometers to the west. That's where they'll be.”
“How many?” asked the man dressed in green.
“Nine, so we'll be the same number as a German Recon squad when we join you tomorrow” said the Unknown Soldier. Three are parachuting in tonight. The other five are already in country like ourselves.”
The Sniper nodded before asking who.
The Unknown Soldier looked hard at the mysterious Sniper. No one knew his real name or even his nationality. What the Allies did know about the man was that he was fighting one man war against the Nazis since September 1939, same as the Marksman and several others on this mission. Only the Sniper was different he marked specific Nazis for death and then hunted them down like animals until last summer when OSS made contact with him. “Blackhawk is flying in with Commando Yank and an OSS operative code named Falcon. The Unknown, Mile Gibbs – AKA the Guerrilla, and the Ghost Patrol with meet up with you tonight. We'll rendezvous with you tomorrow morning and then we'll all go back in the Mole Den as the returning German patrol.” The Unknown Soldier left unsaid the fate of the doomed real members of that German patrol.
Chapter 6
The Amnesiac and the Reporter
The Mole's Den
Friday March 12th 1943
Alpine Wilderness, Germany
It was cold in the lower alpine mountains of southern Germany and he wasn't dressed for it. He was wearing good boots and blue pants, and a white t shirt, but he had a warm thick cape red cape that he wrapped around his torso. He could say who he was because he didn't remember.
He knew he was an American and that he fought with the French army in June of 1940. He had amnesia due to a head wound he received while fighting. He had had a chance to escape on the beaches of Dunkirk, but decided to stay in France and fight against the Nazis. He was called he Unknown and operated throughout Europe, striking fear in the Germans, and hope in the oppressed peoples for whom he fought.
Normally he was an independent roving agent, but a week ago he received word from X, a mysterious leader French underground that the Allies needed him for a special mission. A mission where he would work with several other agents operating in Occupied Europe. So the Unknown slowly made his way to a small clearing where a parachute drop was going to be made.
On the other side of the clearing another American walked. He wore a dirty, well traveled brown hat and lime green trench coat. He was using snow shoes, a pair given to him two months ago in Russia. Like the Unknown he was an independent American agent working I Occupied Europe. But Mike Gibbs had never been a soldier. He never had any connection with any government. He was a reporter until shortly after the fall of Paris.
It was then that he met the mysterious Polish Major Hvart. It was a story back then because the major was an underground agent desperately sought by the Germans. But Mike found Marie first and saved her when the Nazis came and lost his heart.
He quit his paper soon after and became a roving guerrilla, hitting the German whenever and wherever he could. Sometimes, like now he would get assignments from Marie, but usually he was left on his own.
The Guerrilla saw a flash of red in the woods even as the Unknown spotted a man snow shoeing in the woods on the other side of the clearing. The Unknown pulled a rifle out from under his cape. The Guerrilla kept moving towards the edge of the clearing figuring the red clothe belonged to the Unknown. He smiled as he the thought of Little Red Riding Hood crept into his mind. He called out the sign Marie had given him and the right answer was returned.
Chapter 7
Three Ghosts
The Mole's Den
Friday March 12th 1943
Alpine Wilderness, Germany
“What do think Fred?” said the Slim, the portly former copilot of a French Foreign Legion bomber.
“What do I think about what.” said Fred, the former plot of the bomber.
“Are these two the ones we are looking for?” Said a third voice with a thick Spanish accent.
Of coarse they are Pedro. Who else would be dressed as they are in they middle of nowhere” said Fred.
“Yeah.” They look exactly as Mademoiselle Marie described them” said Slim, who smile when he thought of the beautiful French Resistance Fighter.
“Si” said Pedro. “It was very strange; being summoned that way...by a séance.”
“Yeah, I guess. Said Fred. “Makes sense though. I mean we are ghosts.”
“This mission must be really important guys. The Allies never tried to contact us before” said Slim.
“Its too bad Mademoiselle Marie could not be on this mission. She's much better looking than these two on the ground” said Pedro
“How should we let them know we are here. The guy in the cape has a rifle.” said Slim
“The other one in the hat's probably armed as well. We don't need them shooting at us. We don't want to alert the Germans to our presence.
“Pedro, why don't you talk the the fellow in the hat before we appear. Slim, do the same with guy in the cape. I'll fly down to the middle of the clearing.
Mike Gibbs was walking along the edge of the clearing towards the Unknown, who was heading towards Mike when he heard a disembodied voice next his right ears say. “Amigo, do you believe in ghosts?”
Mike quickly turned to his right. He was slightly afraid. He didn't see anyone anywhere in his field of vision but he noted in his peripheral the Unknown seemed to have had the same experience. Then in the middle of the field a man appeared out nothingness. He wore an old French Foreign Legion flight-suit. A short slightly overweight man in the same uniform then appeared on the right of the Unknown.
Mike turned to his right and saw the third member of the Ghost Patrol smiling at him.
They spent the rest of the day getting to know one another as they traded stories of their past exploits and the lands they had visited in their common fight against the Nazis. The Unknown and Mike ate a cold ate a cold sparse supper. Slim shuddered at their slight fair and was grateful he no longer had t eat. Food was scarce in all of Europe, even Germany. They then waited for midnight and the parachutists.
Chapter 8
the Parachutists
Friday March 12th 1943
King Arthur Airbase England
The ruggedly handsome man with a no nonsense face was going through the equipment for the mission, it was a strange assignment, with roster of independent agents. He had been in the field often enough to know how important it was to be independent, but he also knew that teamwork as well as absolute trust in your team and teamwork were also essential ingredients for a mission like this to succeed. He was worried that it had too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
While it was true Blackhawk had been fighting this war since the day it started, he was used to giving orders, not taking them. The Pole's obstinate insistence that he and his team were no longer working under the orders of any one government, but were rather independent agents didn't sit well with him, or his boss even if that was Blackhawk's relationship with the British.
Blackhawk was on the team and two of his men would rendezvous in two days for the extraction of the team and more importantly whatever intelligence they could gain from the Moles Den. He understood that the Blackhawks had taken a casualty in their last mission. The KIA (Killed in Action) hit the team hard, they also had four WIA (Wounded in Action) and were unavailable for the mission, otherwise he supposed they would have done it alone. Falcon Knew Blackhawk was the best of the best in the air and a formidable reputation as a commando but he didn't care for what the Falcon perceived as the Pole's love of the limelight.
The Falcon didn't care for the other man he was parachuting into Germany with either. Commando Yank wore a mask. Control did not know his identity, neither did the British even though he had been going on commando missions for them since 1940. Commando Yank had an impressive mission history and the Falcon knew that both of these men gave inspiration to the peoples under the German heel and fear to the Nazi's heart.
He caught the tell tale of a faint aroma Control's pipe smoke signaling his approach. Falcon kept doing his equipment checks when he door opened. He saw Control's standing in the doorway. Falcon continued his work. “I'll come by and see you when I'm done with this” said the Falcon.
“No need” said Control as he entered the room and shut the door behind him. “I know you don't like working with free agents, but they are the very best. And this mission is a mess.”
Falcon looked up at his supervisor before saying “Tell me something I don't know.”
“Hugo Danner is possibly working with the Germans. Worse, the Russians are sending in a team tat will arrive four hours after you. Steel Wolf's on their team. “
“Son of a...” said Falcon before Control cut him off.
“Now you know why I'm sending in the agents I am. I don't like the lack of control, but some of these agents have fought super opponents before.”
Falcon nodded before saying “How are they going to feel about fighting the Russians. If it becomes necessary?”
“The Poles will fight them with relish and thus the others will fight them as well” said Control.
“I'd still like an ace in the hole if it hits the fan” said Falcon.
“You'll have two They'll arrive five hours after you've landed. They're coming the Pacific Theater” explained Control.
“An hour after the Russians. Your cavalry might be too late” said the Falcon.
“Too late to save you perhaps, but not too late to save the mission.” said Control.
Chapter 9
The Cavalry
Friday March 12th 1943
Washington DC
He arrived at the air field unannounced. He moved through the shadows and was unseen by the soldiers guarding the base. He saw the man he was to meet. Recently promoted Army General Phillip Darnell of military intelligence. A young lieutenant colonel was standing next to him as well as a female lieutenant wearing glasses. The Shadow Warrior was watching them when a young marine sergeant came to of the hanger.
The marine saluted before saying “Sir , do you mind if I step out and have a smoke.”
“If your partner is secure you can go ahead Sergeant Coker, you've a long flight ahead of you' replied the general.
“Jake's locked and loaded into the plane sir.” the sergeant saluted and then walked away from the hangar and towards Kana.
Kana's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he saw the female lieutenant seemed to notice him in the shadows. Only an alert highly trained warrior or an enhanced human being should have been able to see him, but she did.
Intrigued he called out in a stage whisper “General Darnell, Agent Kana reporting for duty. The marine sergeant's cigarette dropped from his lips when Kana stepped out of the shadows.
The marine quickly recovered as his hand immediately went to the Colt .45 holstered at his hip. “Stand down Sergeant Coker.” Barked the colonel standing next to the general.
Kana knew he could have disarmed and disabled Sergeant Coker before he drew his pistol, but was glad there was no need. Kana noted the man sergeant relaxed as he picked up his cigarette and said “I take it you're the other agent we've been waiting for?”
“Yes” said Kana.
Sergeant Coker raised an eyebrow before saying “Are you a civilian – one of them OSS guys, right- not an officer.” when Kana nodded in the affirmative the sergeant put out his hand saying “I'm Coker, Sergeant Coker.
Kana put his hand out a said “I am called Kana.”
Whispering Sergeant Coker said “You better go talk to the brass. I'm staying out here for as long as I can. We've a long flight ahead of us.”
Kana nodded and left the sergeant. General Darnell too shook Kana's hand, as did Lieutenant Colonel Steve Trevor, who said “I have read the reports about your exploits sir and I wanted to meet you.”
Kana nodded as he replied “I also have heard of some of your more public missions Colonel, and am glad to meet you.”
Darnell then introduced the woman who was his secretary and primary aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Diana Prince. Kana shook her hand as well. Her hand was not the soft skin of most women, neither was it rough and calloused. Suspicious, Kana quickly and subtlety gave her hand a firmer grip which was responded to in kind. Kana nodded his head towards the lieutenant as he noted the briefest of smiles on her lips and saw how blind these officers of military intelligence were.
“We haven't much time Kana but I want to make certain you know the details of your mission” said the general.
Kana recited his orders verbatim. The general nodded and called to Sergeant Coker, who came running over the the officers and saluted. “Time to shove off sergeant” said the general. “Good luck to you both.” He then shook Kana's hand again and saluted the sergeant.
Lieutenant Colonel Trevor escorted the pair to the transport plane saying “I wish I could go with you but theirs some Nazis on this side of the Atlantic involved with the German operations at the Mole Den and we've to ferret them out.”
Kana entered the plane and saw a humanoid robot sitting in the back of the plane. Sergeant Coker said “This is my partner Jake -”Jungle Automatic Killer Experimental MK III, and if he's anything like his predecessors we can handle the firestorm we're jumping into.”
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Post by dave on Oct 3, 2017 15:31:02 GMT
Chapter 10
The Red Hawk
Friday March 12th 1943
Stalingrad USSR
The Red Hawk was cursing the snow bthat was delaying the start his new mission into Germany itself. He was aching to kill more Germans. He was an American whose real name was Ted Gaynor, he was top in his class at West Point in 1935. In 1940 he drew a special covert assignment for military intelligence when he was assigned to the Blackhawks. He was expelled from the team after two months, primarily because Gaynor did not believe in taking prisoners.
Worse, Blackhawk sent a detailed report on his war crimes to the British, who had sponsored him into the group. The British in turn sent a copy to the US War Department. Because Gaynor's activities were not officially sanctioned by the US he was not given a dishonorable discharge, but he was dischrged from the army. Gaynor stewed for some time as he desperately wanted to get back into the war. He joined the Russian army as volunteer within a week of the Nazi invasion of Russia.
There he won great praise for his heroism, leadership, and ruthlessness. Stalin gave him the code name of Red Hawk because of his time with the Blackhawks. He even gave him a team of pilot commandos. Gaynor's methods lead to a constant cadre of replacement shuffling in, but Gaynor didn't mind. Neither did the Russians so long as he got results. He was down to five Red Hawks plus himself at the moment.
He smelled the NKDV Agent Zastrow's foul cigarette smoke before he saw him a. “What's the latest weather report Captain?”
“Nothing has changed Red Hawk” said Zastrow. “Gort is very impatient to start. He wants revenge for his fellow members of the Wolf Pack. He gets uncontrollably dangerous when he gets like this.”
Red Hawk nodded saying “There's a bunch of Romanian prisoners who came in last night. Too many to feed. Why don't you have Stalnivolk take a walk among them and cull the herd. That should calm his blood lust. Only make sure the girl does hear about it.”
Zastrow smiled at Red Hawk. He was an excellent efficient officer. It was too bad he was an American. Nor was he true believer in Communism; Stalin had already written the order of his execution, only the date was missing. That was to be filled in by Zastrow. “I shall send her to the army hospital. Our soldiers like looking at her even if Onya Chuikov is only a child.”
Red Hawk nodded in agreement. “I'm still not certain she should be on this mission. She's too soft hearted. She needs to burn the Germans without hesitation when I order it.”
I have explained this to her Comrade Red Hawk. I have also explained the consequences if she fails you. Fireball will do her duty.
Chapter 10
The Inspectors
Friday March 12th 1943
Mole Den Germany
They unloaded any gear that would identify them as anything other than their German identities. The Marksman hid his costume, bow, and quiver full of arrows; while Americommando covered his costume and whip. The Unknown Soldier stashed his makeup kit. They then reentered the staff car with the Unknown Soldier driving, with the Marksman and Americommando riding in the back as they were disguised as officers
They drove down the road until the Unknown Soldier turned off an old logging track . He drove the car along the increasingly bumpy road and a slow speed for two miles. The road had a sharp left side curve and he had to slow to a crawl as there were potholes in the road deep enough to have the car become stuck if not properly navigated.
It was then that eight white camouflaged German solders appeared, all pointing the guns at the car while one called for them to halt. The went over to the driver's side of the car, he frowned when he saw the Americommando roll down his window. He went over to see who was in the backseat and saluted when he saw the two officers saying “May I please see you papers sir.
The Americommando as obliged the man, who he took to be a non-commissioned officer. The man looked at them and said “I am sorry sir, but we are not expecting you and we ave orders not to let anyone pass.”
The Americommando gave the man a sneering smile as he said “I am here to conduct a surprise inspection sergeant. Contact the Mole Den and let us pass or I'll have you and your men shot.
The man noted the colonel was an SS officer. He had been in the army long enough to know this was not an idle threat. “One moment sir” he said before going over to a dead tree. He reached inside the husk and pulled out a phone. He returned to the car several minutes later and told them to proceed. Drive straight into the mountain. The weight of your vehicle will open the entrance.
The Unknown Soldier put the car in first gear and drove past the surrounding soldiers who going back to their hiding places. Twenty feet from the mountain he could see the road start to drop down and become a ramp underground. He drove down and into the Mole Den.
The ramp went twenty feet, ten straightened for a hundred and fifty yards before an incline went up thirty feet before leveling out into a large area were a platoon of armored cars and another of light tanks were parked. All three of the allied spies noted the the 88mm anti-tank gun aim directly at the only vehicle entrance to the facility.
The soldiers who manned the vehicles and an additional two infantry platoons stood at attention as the their car came to a halt. At the head of the groups stood a major with an iron right hand, they knew he was Major Franz, who was recently wounded in North Africa and was head of the armed forces inside the Mole Den. Next to him was an Eurasian midget in a Japaneses army uniform denoting that he held the rank of colonel.
A staff sergeant opened the rear door for the Americommando and the Marksman and saluted when each came out of the vehicle. He shut the door behind them and went to the driver's window, giving the Unknown Soldier directions where o park.
Americommando as SS Colonel Riker and the Marksman as SS Major Hurtz went to Major Franz, saluted, and gave him a copy of their orders to give a surprise inspection to the Mole Den.
Major Franz scanned the papers before introducing the Japanese Colonel Ito, who said, “I came here from Berlin yesterday Colonel Riker. No mention of this inspection was made in my meeting with the Fuhrer.
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Post by dave on Feb 1, 2018 21:03:45 GMT
Chapter 10
The Tour
Friday March 12th 1943
Mole Den Germany
Tex Thompson knew the answer to the diminutive Japanese Dr Ito would make or break their mission. “I do not know, nor can I surmise why. I only have my orders. I came from Berlin. Major Hurtz was ordered to inspect this place from Poland.”
Ito then looked at the Marksman, “You are the Major Hurtz – the one who has been trying to kill the so called Marksman.”
“I have crossed paths with the Sniper and The Unknown as well.”
Ito thought for a moment “I have read reports that you have also helped develop plans to capture the Guerilla and the Ghost Patrol, unsuccessful plans.”
The faux German Major frown and said “My original plans were not followed. Each commander took actions different from the original.”
“Ito looked at Major Hurtz before saying to the major with the iron hand; “I believe this is a legitimate inspection. The Imperial Japanese Government has no objection to showing them our joint facility.”
Tex and Baron Pavolski had a great deal of trouble keeping straight faces while that piece of news. They then followed the major to the elevators while their nondescript driver parked their car. The Unknown Soldier then asked if there was any food in the mess hall at this time of day. He smiled when he was told there was and followed the friendly sergeant who was assigned to escort him the enlisted mess.
There he struck up conversations with the enlisted personnel. He told the truth when he said he was only just assigned to drive the inspecting officers in Munich. He also expressed an interest in mechanics. A friendly private showed him the vehicles in the motor pool, several cars, but also a platoon of 4 armored cars and two light tanks, now obsolete for front line combat.
Later he struck up a conversation a member of the facilities plant staff. The Unknown Soldier deftly gleaned information about the Mole Den's power plant, elevators and ventilation system.
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Post by lee on Nov 10, 2018 0:51:11 GMT
I've always enjoyed your Earth-I stories. Hope to see more of them.
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Post by DocQuantum on Nov 10, 2018 16:21:02 GMT
Don't mind me. Just moved the lone chapter into the story post, so we can read all the chapters in the same place.
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