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  The small Beechcraft Bonanza glided slowly through clear blue skies above the Austrian Alps. Anna Dietz sat enraptured in the right seat, not so much from the thrilling view of the snow covered peaks around her, but because she had been invited by Eric Anderson, the 22 year old sitting in the pilot’s seat. Eric had come to Innsbruck to be with his family during the spring break of his senior year. His father, Al Anderson, did business with Anna’s father. Anderson Construction had building projects throughout Europe and especially here in Innsbruck preparing for the 1964 Winter Olympics. Al and his wife, Mary, were seated in the two rear seats in the aircraft gleefully looking out the window and taking photographs. Eric had earned his pilot’s license when he was sixteen and had wanted to take them all on a flying excursion. He had earned his wings in a “V” tailed Beech and this one was one of the company aircraft in Europe.

  “Are you having a good time?” Eric asked over the drone of the single engine.

  “It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed. “I’ve never flown in a plane before. I had no idea it could be this wonderful,” she said in his ear.

  Eric beamed. Flying was a passion for him and he was glad she was enjoying it. He sat back and thought about when they had met. Anna’s father, Fritz Dietz had befriended his father a good five years earlier. On business trips to Europe, the two usually worked together. This was the first time Al had brought the family with him and Mr. Dietz had asked his daughter to show the family some of the highlights of Innsbruck and the surrounding countryside.

  Eric and Anna had hit it off right away. She was very good looking, with shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes, and a smile which seemed to gleam in the sunlight. But most of all, she was smart. As a child she had become enthralled at the prospect of space exploration, especially the work of people like Von Braun. Now she was a senior at the Universität Innsbruck studying astrophysics and was determined to help explore the new frontier. She also spoke English as if she had been born in America.

  Eric was finishing his civil engineering degree. On the first day, Eric and Anna became immersed in talking about things they had done and wanted to do. It had ended only when they were forced to go home for the evening. The second day she took Eric and his sister skiing. The combination of looks, smarts and a love for athletics had nearly bowled him over. When Eric’s sister had decided to go shopping, there had been no doubt who would be invited to fill the fourth seat in the plane.

  Al and Mary Anderson had taken notice. Although he dated in high school, Anna was the first girl Eric had really taken an interest in. They saw the gleam appearing in his eye when the two were together and they grinned at each other when Anna reached over and took Eric’s hand for a brief time. After a quick, knowing glance, they returned to their sightseeing.

  Eric had been flying in and out of a number of mountain passes. In mid-March the temperatures had begun to rise, but there was still snow on the trees and along the valley floors. The huge rocky peaks would still have snow for another month. All along the valleys were evidence of roads, homes, farms and small towns. The houses were painted in bright colors that stood out in the white landscape.

  Watching his altitude, Eric skirted over several of the peaks to discover a different painted tapestry in each new valley. They were flying up one seemingly deserted valley when they caught sight of a magnificent waterfall cascading down from the middle of one mountain. Beside the falls was a garden-like flat area with a few picnic tables and trees. From there the water plunged several hundred feet into a crevasse before rushing out as a fast moving stream along the valley floor. All along the way, the mist had frozen into an array of what looked like sparkling prisms down the rocks and across the valley near the bottom of the falls. The sunlight caused the entire mountainside to shimmer in light.

  “Wow, look at that!” exclaimed Al from the back seat. Mary leaned over him for a look and gasped at the sight. A second later she was snapping away with her camera. As she did so, Eric banked the plane for a better view, then circled back and flew lower to come up the valley again at a different altitude. It was just as awe inspiring as the first time.

  Eric began a circling climb to work his way up and out of the valley. On one pass his Mom called out to him. “There’s another one!” she exclaimed.

  The new waterfall was gushing out of the mountain above the first into a smaller valley not more than one-half mile long. But it wasn’t a valley. It was more like a hollowed-out section of rock between the peaks. It looked as if someone had used an ice cream scoop to remove a deep section of the mountain. The falls were emptying into a small lake which could barely be seen through a mist.

  What was more impressive was the castle-like house sitting on a rocky ledge beside the small lake. It was in the shape of an inverted and squared “A” with pointed towers on three sides. There were what looked like woods surrounding the house and lake except for what appeared to be a large concrete patio along a portion of the lake next to the house. With the ice crystals on everything, the whole thing looked like something out of a fairytale picture book.

  “Fly around the place again,” said Al to his son. “I want some pictures.”

  “Oh, if we could have a home like that,” Mary said to her husband.

  Even Anna was impressed. “I have never seen a place quite so pretty,” she said snuggling up to Eric.

  Eric flew around again for a closer look. This time the house was a little easier to see despite the mist. It looked run down, with ivy growing up the walls and grasses showing up in a small courtyard. There were no tracks in the snow and it didn’t look like anyone had lived there for years. This mist from the falls gave the whole place a dream like quality and prevented anyone from seeing things clearly.

  After a couple of circles around the little lake Eric’s father leaned forward. “Is there any way we can get an exact location for this place?” he asked. Eric nodded and pulled the plane’s nose higher to climb over the peaks and hopefully be in radar range of the Innsbruck airport. After getting a bearing and range, Eric wrote down the position and banked the plane toward home. It was a good time for them to go back. Nothing could compare to that little valley.

  All the way back, Al sat silently staring out the window. He had a peculiar look on his face that he had only when he was concentrating on big plans. Mary continued to look out her side and comment on the wonders floating by. In the front two seats, Eric and Anna were sitting quietly. Although Eric was concentrating on flying the plane, he and Anna would occasionally glance at each other and smile. This time he reached over and took her hand, not in a fleeting squeeze, but intertwining his fingers in hers and holding gently. Anna squeezed back and didn’t let go. They held hands until Eric landed the plane 30 minutes later.

  After refueling and securing the Bonanza, everyone went back to their rented Mercedes and made their way back to Innsbruck. This time Mr. Anderson drove, but he continued his quiet concentration while Mrs. Anderson had turned and was carrying on a conversation with Eric and Anna. Mary always had a bubbly personality and truly enjoyed conversations with her family and friends. Her problem was she always made friends everywhere she went, so she seemed to always be talking and laughing. Anna was holding her own and Eric simply wanted to listen to Anna’s voice. He also noticed the look on his father’s face. He was making plans – big plans. Usually that look was reserved for something that would make big money for the business. Until he had thought it through, Al Anderson would be in a world of his own. Eric wondered what that plan might be.

  The big Mercedes pulled into the front of the hotel and stopped. As the others got out Al remained in the front seat. “I’m going to go talk to Anna’s father for a minute. You guys go on in. I’ll be back in about an hour,” he said. As the others closed their doors, he pulled away and turned back into the traffic.

  Mary watched him leave and turned to the other two. “There he goes,” she said, “Money-bags has some new idea. Best we let him have his fun.”

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nbsp; Anna laughed. “I need to get to my dental appointment anyway,” she said while glancing at her watch.

  “Are you doing anything tonight?” Eric asked. “I was hoping to have a little time for just the two of us before I have to go home. Would dinner be okay?”

  Anna smiled broadly. “I would like that. What time should I be here?”

  “I’ll come get you. How about seven this evening?”

  Anna nodded. “How should I dress?”

  “I plan on a coat and tie. I heard about this nice restaurant and afterward we can do whatever you like,” Eric said.

  The idea of going to a fine restaurant pleased Anna enormously. She reached out and took his hand briefly. “I’ll be ready,” she said as she pulled away and headed for her parked Volkswagen.

  Mary Anderson stared at her son. “Moving a little fast aren’t we?” she asked. The laugh lines on the sides of her eyes were tilting upwards with her growing smile.

  “Have to,” Eric said with a wink. “I want this to last until I get back over here again.” They started walking into the hotel.

  “She’s that special huh?”

  Eric stopped before going through the door. He turned and looked his mother straight in the eye. “Mom, she’s that special.”

  Mary Anderson was almost taken aback. She always knew Eric as intelligent. He was also very decisive, much like his father. Now it looked like he was making a decision that would influence the rest of his life. It appeared not to faze him in the least. She smiled at herself and followed him through the door.

  Across town, Al Anderson entered the offices of Fritz Dietz. His was not one of those stodgy “old country” offices, heavy on the oak paneling and thick, heavily padded leather furniture. On the contrary, the office was decorated much like a Scandinavian designer, with modernistic furniture and a minimalist style. On the wall was a Picasso painted in the same colors as his furniture upholstery. The floors were bare wood with small shag rugs highlighted with boldly colored stripes. The receptionist sat behind a small desk made of a light wood with glass accents. She was dressed modestly in a two piece cotton outfit with a light blue scarf around her neck.

  “Herr Anderson! I had no idea you were coming by. It is very nice to see you again,” she said as he entered.

  “I wanted to stop by and see of Herr Dietz was available. I know I don’t have an appointment…”

  “Nonsense! You are welcome here anytime. Let me tell him you are here.”

  After a quick call, Fritz Dietz opened his office door and came out to greet his friend. “Al, come in!” he said as he led Al into his office. The two sat in some comfortable chairs beside a large picture window overlooking the city center. After some friendly conversation, the topic got a little more serious.

  “Fritz, you know how I wanted to look at a couple of houses we could possibly buy here?

  Dietz got a more serious look on his face. “I know you said you wanted to live here part of the year. Don’t tell me you have found a place already,” he said.

  Anderson nodded. “When we were flying around this morning we flew over a place which, quite frankly, took my breath away. Now I can’t tell you how to drive there, but I do know it bears 152 degrees and 21.16 miles from the radar at the airport. It is a castle like home beside a lake inside what almost looks like a crater in the mountains. There’s even the most beautiful waterfall feeding the lake. I was wondering if your firm could investigate the place for me and see what the asking price might be.”

  Dietz was taking notes. He nodded. “I would be happy to look into it for you, but I don’t know of any castle or chalet that is available. Let’s see if it’s on the map,” he said as he stood and the two men walked to a large working table at the other end of the room. Dietz looked in one side of the desk which seemed to be filled with rolled up papers. After a few seconds of looking, he pulled out a roll and unwound it across the desk. It was a detailed topographic map of the area listing property boundaries. Much of the land southeast of town was owned by the government. Pulling out some dividers and retractors, Dietz quickly found the area.

  “That’s strange,” said Dietz. “The place you describe is one big lake on this map. I don’t see any buildings or land inside this area. I also don’t see any roads except to the other side of this mountain,” he said pointing the places out on the map.

  “Well, I flew right over it,” said Anderson, himself a little puzzled.

  Dietz waived it off. “Never worry. This may have been recent construction.”

  “No, the place looked like it had been there for years. It’s a little run down and overgrown, but I swear there is a house right there,” he said pointing to the lake on the map.

  “I don’t doubt you. I’ll get hold of a friend of mine to check the place our in his helicopter. He can get me some more exact points and I’ll see if the whole little valley is available. Keep in mind, the owner may not wish to sell.”

  Anderson smiled broadly. “I understand. I wouldn’t want to sell it either. But if the owner is interested, I can make him a nice offer.”

  “I will get working on it then. You aren’t leaving till next week?”

  “That’s right. Eric is leaving day after tomorrow though. He has to get back and finish his school.” Anderson’s eyes began to twinkle. “Of course you know he and Anna have taken an interest in each other.”

  Dietz winced. “We hear nothing about anything but young Eric from our daughter since he arrived. I hope they do not get hurt too badly. There will be an ocean between them,” he said with a grin.

  Anderson tilted his head slightly. “Well, be advised, my son can be a very determined young man.”

  Dietz placed his hand on Anderson’s arm. “And so can my Anna.” Both men laughed at the prospect.

  Chapter Three

  Necessary Supplies

  Deep in a stark concrete-grey basement, a group of thirty men sat under the glow of two overhead lights. There was a small stage with a table in the front of the men. Behind it, on the pitted concrete walls hung a German eagle clutching a swastika. On either side of a small stage were two large red Nazi flags, adding a splash of color to an otherwise dreary, sterile scene.

  The men were listless, shifting back and forth in their seats and talking softly as they waited for someone. Suddenly a steel door swung open on the far wall and a man impeccably dressed in a grey Nazi general’s uniform stepped into the room. All the men jumped to their feet and stood at attention. The general strutted to the stage and cast his steely blue eyes over the assembled men. “Be seated men,” he said in a calm voice. As the men sat, he rounded the table and placed his palms upon it.

  “Gentlemen, after many long years it appears our time is approaching. Upon our Führer’s orders we have remained patient and vigilant for just this time. As you know, we were tasked with waiting until the tensions between the United States and the Russians were at their peak before we strike. We came close when the American President launched his Bay of Pigs fiasco. But since there was no direct conflict between the two powers, the time was not right.”

  He held up a paper in his hand. “I just received a message from one of our friends within the Soviet Union. It appears their government has decided to base medium range atomic missiles on Cuban soil, just ninety miles from the United States border. When this is discovered we all know what will happen. The United States will retaliate in some way, and the Russians will do the same. That will be the moment we strike! It is imperative that we get everything ready. Doctor Ingles has assured me everything is in readiness on his end and we have made sure all of you are trained on your jobs. For our new young men, you are about to become a part of a new era, when Germany regains its leadership role in the world. Your jobs will be to assist your fathers and brothers so that we all work as a complete team. Watch and learn well.”

  The general stood tall and placed his hands on his hips. “From what Dr. Ingles tells me we are ready to gather the fuel we need.” He pointed
to one of the men. “Stadt, where can we get diesel fuel?”

  The older man didn’t hesitate. “Herr General, diesel fuel will be very difficult to get. There is a high demand at present and missing inventory will be quickly spotted. However, there is a small set of tanks carrying some sort of kerosene type fuel. The Americans are storing it at the facility temporarily. I can easily redirect the valves to load my trucks and no one will know for months.”

  Dr. Ingles was seated on the front row and turned to look at Stadt. “You say it is a special kerosene?” he asked.

  “Yes Herr Doctor. The Americans have designated it RP-1. I don’t know what it is used for. Would this work?” Stadt asked.

  The doctor’s eyes widened. “It should work quite well,” he said as he glanced at the General and nodded.

  “Good,” said the General. “Make sure we fill our storage tanks as soon as possible,” he ordered. He looked at another person in the room. “Mantz, you have access to chemicals. We need large amounts of nitric acid. Have you located a supply for our doctor?”

  Mantz stood at attention. “Yes, Herr General. The Prost fertilizer plant has a huge storage tank at the facility and is constantly refilling it from rail cars on the property. It is a red fuming nitric acid with an inhibitor so that it will not corrode the tanks as quickly. Doctor Ingles said this is perfect for our use,” he said. “Our problem will again be transportation. Stadt cannot transport this in a fuel truck since the acid would react with the residual fuel. The acid must also be refrigerated during transport. Fortunately, we have identified three such trailers which we can use at night after the plants close. It is an added step, but necessary to get the acid into our own protected tanks. Once we are finished each night we must thoroughly flush each transport so that it can be used the next morning. We will begin transporting one night each week to ensure nothing is missed,” Mantz reported confidently.

  The general smiled. “Very good. Those are our main concerns. The rest of you have certain items we must collect prior to our start. Make sure we have everything on our list and then be ready on a moment’s notice to act,” he said forcefully. “Is there anything else tonight?”