The Project 02 - The Lance

Himmler, all senior SS Generals. They met in Himmler's castle."
    " How do you know this stuff? Nazi Knights?" Nick tugged on his ear.
    "Just something else I know."
    He remembered his wise ass comment about her knowing everything.
    Selena looked at him and took pity. She decided to explain.
    "I was researching Indo-European languages. Studying the evolution of archaic languages into modern ones. Himmler and the Nazis used language as one of the tests in all that pseudo-scientific nonsense about the 'Master Race'. I came across a discussion of Himmler and his so-called Council. He advocated a return to the old German religion. He was supposed to have conducted secret ceremonies in archaic German, but nobody knows what those were."
    She turned a page.

    20-1-42
    We met today in the Wannsee district to discuss the Jewish question. The conference was led by Heydrich. He was inspiring, pointing out that the conference would resolve fundamental questions of organization, transportation and coordination of efforts between all of us to achieve the final solution.
    Our aim must be to cleanse the Fatherland and all the territories the German people will occupy in the future of the corrupting stain of the Jews.
    It was decided to accelerate the transportation of the Jews to the East, where facilities for work and reeducation are available and they can receive special treatment.

    "He's talking about the death camps!" Lamont set his cup down. "Special treatment was Nazi speak for the gas chambers."
    " There's a list of the people who were there," Selena said. "SS big shots and Nazi Party officials. He says the notes were taken by Adolph Eichmann."
    " Skip ahead, Selena. See if anything jumps out at you." She turned a page.

    4-6-42
    A great Knight has fallen! Heydrich was brutally attacked in Czechoslovakia. He struggled bravely with his wounds, but succumbed to poisoning of the blood. They will pay.

    " The guy who wrote this was a real piece of work." Ronnie gestured at the book. "Heydrich was a psychopath. The Nazis burned a whole town of people alive in retaliation for Heydrich's death."

    4-2-43
    Bad news from the Eastern Front. Stalingrad has fallen. Paulus and Schrenk, both surrendered. The Fuhrer refused to recall the armies, and now 600,000 men are gone. Many rings have been sent back from the front. The Russians now have the advantage.

    "Rings? What's he talking about?"
    Selena said, " SS officers wore silver skull rings. Himmler ordered the rings sent back to him when an officer was killed. After the war they found a box with thousands of them in his castle."
    S he turned another page.

    21-6-43
    Trudi and I were married today in the Chancellery. Reichsfuhrer Himmler presided over the ceremony. The Fuhrer himself was there, and Goering.

    "He got married on the Summer Solstice," Ronnie said. "This guy seems to have a thing for dates of ancient celebrations."
    " That fits with the movement toward the old German gods and pagan religion among the Nazis," Selena said. "Reinhardt was probably a believer. The SS had their own pagan versions of Christian ceremonies like baptism and marriage."

    17-4-44
    I have a son! Trudi gave birth today. I have named him Eric. Our pure Aryan heritage will carry on. We shall raise a warrior for the Cause.
    I leave for an inspection tour of the camps tomorrow. I have completed my arrangements in Switzerland. If I should fall, Trudi and Eric will be well protected.

    " I wonder if they survived the war, his wife and boy." Selena said.
    " At least here's one good Nazi who didn't. Skip to the end, Selena. See if there's anything about the sub or Antarctica." Nick emptied his cup. She turned pages.
    "Here's something."

    8-12-44
    I met with the Grand Master. He has tasked me with a sacred mission. The Holy Lance is in my care. I leave tonight for Antarctica.

    She turned a page. "This is the last entry. Three days before the sub went down."

    19-2-45
    We arrived in New Schwabia today. At last. The trip from Spain was difficult. We spent most of the time submerged. The new snorkel unit kept us out of sight of the enemy.
    I took the Lance to Station 211 and placed it in the vault, as instructed. When I left, I concealed the entrance. No one will find it.
    Now we are underway for Argentina . Parsifal has begun and we will continue. In time, victory will be ours.

    The journal ended there.
    "Well." Selena put the book down on the table. "Now we know what the submarine was doing in Antarctica.