Sleeper Agent (27 page)

The men nodded. They moved quickly to obey.

Rosenfeld asked, “But what about you?”

“Give me that ammo box,” Tom said grimly.

Rosenfeld handed him the heavy steel box. Tom placed it carefully in his lap. Its weight seemed to press him into the jeep seat itself, although every cell in his body was straining to avoid contact with the fatal spot. Death might be inches below.

“Take cover!” he snapped. “All of you.” He looked at the ammo box. “I’ll try to slide off the seat,” he said to David. “I’ll keep the weight of the box on it. If it
is
a pressure-release-type mechanism, that might do it.” He looked at the men. “Now. Move it!”

The men at once ran to take cover behind the weapons carrier.

Tom took a deep breath. His last? . . . He looked down at the steel ammo box. All of a sudden it didn’t seem to have any weight at all.

Slowly he slid himself across to the outside of the seat. Carefully he lifted the heavy ammo box from his lap and placed it on the seat beside him. Inch by inch he moved his right leg out of the jeep and planted it on the ground. Gradually, sweat stinging his eyes, he put his weight on the free leg, gingerly sliding the ammo box toward the center of the seat. Bit by bit he shifted his entire weight onto his leg on the ground.

The seat creaked tinnily. For a split second Tom’s heart stopped. An overwhelming urge to throw himself to the ground shrieked in his mind. He resisted it.

Slowly, cautiously, he extricated his left leg from the jeep. He was on the ground. He was free. He ran to join the others at the weapons carrier.

“Okay,” he called. “Get ready to move it out!”

The mechanics jumped into the truck and started the engine.

“The damned thing may not be booby-trapped at all,” Tom said. “Move it out anyway.”

The weapons carrier started up slowly. It took up the slack in the tow rope, and the jeep began to roll. It traveled about a foot. The sharp click of the grenade primers going off was drowned out by the laboring engine of the weapons carrier. The jeep rolled another six feet.

Suddenly there was an earth-quavering explosion. The jeep was catapulted into the air on a ragged pillar of fire and crashed back to the instantly scorched ground, a mangled mass of scrap. For a brief moment it burned intensely with an unnaturally bright flame before the gas tank blew with an ear-numbing roar.

Someone had wanted to be absolutely certain that the destruction of both vehicle and occupants would be total. Someone had packed incendiary material around the explosives and the tank!

In the instant of the blast, Tom and Rosenfeld were hit by a paralyzing shock wave of pure force and slammed savagely to the ground. Both men instinctively curled up,protecting their heads with their arms from the rain of debris that hailed down on them.

It stopped. Cautiously Tom looked toward the blazing jeep. All was quiet, except for the roar and crackle of the seething fire. He stood up. His legs felt like jelly encased in tissue paper. He stared at the burning jeep.

It is that important, he thought. The protection of Rudi A-27 and KOKON is that important. It must be carried out at any cost. He looked at Rosenfeld, dazedly picking himself up.

The young sergeant stared at the fiery destruction. “Jesus Christ!” he said.

Tom went over to him. “Thanks,” he said soberly. He tried a half-successful grin. “If you ever again see me about to get an oil spot on my pants, feel free to speak up!”

3 May 1945

SUBJECT
:
CHRONOLOGY AND ANALYSIS OF KOKON

TO: OIC, CIC DETACHMENT
212

I
.
CHRONOLOGY

1. On 24 April 1945 the capture of a subject, SS Standartenführer Wolfgang Steinmetz, was effected in Bayreuth, 0 755520. On top secret orders in his possession appeared a referral: KOKON. The meaning of this designation, either a code name or a letter abbreviation, is unknown. No previous mention could be located by this investigator.

2. On 29 April 1945 the records of an OKL project, “The Collection and Evaluation of Information for Future War,” code name FENLX, were recovered on the Schloss Ehrenstein estate nr Straubing, U 545425. Records of the organization having been billeted at this estate were also located. This organization was a German Sleeper Agent project. The records of the project were destroyed except for the partial personal dossier of one Sleeper Agent, Rudi A-27. On this dossier appeared the notation: KOKON.

3. On 30 April 1945, the CO of CIC Det 212 placed Agent Thomas Jaeger on TDY status to investigate the Sleeper Agent Rudi A-27 and KOKON, by authority of AC of S, G-2, Col Richard Streeter, effective immediately.

4. Following developed leads, Agent Jaeger proceeded to Regensburg, U 208540. Here former Sleeper Agent project cadre personnel was contacted. The following Information was obtained:

a. Sleeper Agent Rudi A-27 was scheduled to exfiltrate Germany via “the northern route.”

b. Rudi A-27 had been ordered to Berlin just before the training phase of the Sleeper Agent project was terminated.

c. Trained Sleeper Agents still in Germany were afforded vigilant protection and aid by former cadre members.

5. A further informant was located by Sgt David Rosenfeld, XII Corps MP, on TDY with Agent Jaeger. The subject was interrogated at 106 Evac Hosp, vic Regen, U 943555. The informant indicated that he had assisted in surgically removing the SS blood type tattoo from high ranking officers. He indicated that he observed, written on the medical records of one such officer, name unknown, the word KOKON.

II
.
ANALYSIS
&
CONCLUSION

1. It is believed by this investigator that KOKON is the code name for a special project designed to preserve the Third Reich, or reactivate it, by protecting and harboring high ranking Nazi officers and officials. The facts pointing to this conclusion are:

a. The interrelationship of FENIX, a study to enable Germany to wage future war, and the Sleeper Agent project, a mission to place Nazi agents in foreign countries.

b. The fact that high ranking Nazi officials were involved in preparation for personal permanent concealment

2. It appears to this investigator that the Sleeper Agent Rudi A-27 plays a key role in the execution of both the Sleeper Agent project and KOKON, for the following reasons:

a. The word KOKON was written on his dossier.

b. He was ordered to Berlin.

c. Vigorous action on the part of the Sleeper Agent project cadre members was undertaken to assure his continued safety.

3. The following facts were learned from the partial dossier of Rudi A-27:

a. He spent time in Denmark as a “Vienna Child,” living with a family named Rasmussen in Copenhagen, address unknown.

b. He was active in occupied Copenhagen during 1941/43, doing undercover work for Abwehr III

c. He was recruited for the Sleeper Agent project in 1943.

d. He was trained for evacuation to and operation in the United States of America.

e. His Readiness Tests were completed 18 April 1945.

4. It seems evident to this investigator that the Sleeper Agent Rudi A-27 at this moment is on his way to carry out his mission. It is believed that he will exfiltrate Germany via “the northern route,” ie through Denmark, with which country and language he is familiar. It is believed he received special briefing in Berlin regarding both his Sleeper Agent mission and KOKON.

III
.
RECOMMENDATION

1. It is recommended that this investigator be authorized to pursue and capture the Sleeper Agent Rudi A-27 before that agent can make his way to the United States of America, and there disappear.

Thomas Jaeger

Special Agent

CIC Det 212

Major Herbert Lee looked up from the report. For a moment he studied Tom, sitting across the desk from him. He shook his head. “I might have known,” he said with heartfelt exasperation. “I’ve hardly had a chance to warm the seat of my chair, and you blow in and dump
this
in my lap.” He waved a deprecating hand at Tom’s report.

Tom started to speak, but Lee held up his hand. “Tom, I
know
what you’re going to ask,” he said. “The answer is no! N. O. Period. No! One little word.”

“Never heard of it,” Tom said straight-faced.

“How in hell can I send you off to Denmark, for Christ’s sake?” Lee exploded. “The Krauts
still
run the place, you know.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve operated behind enemy lines, Herb, and you know it.”

“Sure. But Denmark is British territory. I’ve got no authority—”

“Hell, there
are
liaison officers—”

“Have you any idea of the red tape it would take to—”

“Go color blind, dammit! Or paint it green. A nice, bright green for
go!
”

Thoughtfully Lee stared at the report on his desk “The damned thing is,” he said quietly, “you do have something here. Something that
could
turn out to be goddamned important”

“I know, Herb,” Tom said urgently, pressing into the breach. “Rudi
could
reach the States. The whole project
could
work. Hell, we’ve
got
to nail him. Now. Before he gets out of the ETO. I’ve
got
to go to Denmark. Don’t you see? I don’t even know if the Rasmussens are in on the whole damned thing. Suppose they are? They could be of vital importance to the bastard. We’ve
got
to know!”

Lee remained silent, pensive.

“Look, Herb,” Tom said gravely, “fix it up with the British. Get me on a plane. This afternoon. They’ve got C-47s at the airfield near Cham, ferrying in supplies. From the Ninth Troop Carrier Command. On their way back they can easily fly me up to Bremen. In British territory. There’s an RAF field there.” He eyed his CO earnestly. “How about it? How about the British?”

Lee studied Tom. He snorted. Slowly he shook his head. “Well,” he said hesitantly, “I guess I
could
throw a pass in their direction—if I can dig up an eligible receiver.”

“Okay, coach. You’re great!”

“Sure,” Lee said sourly. “I’m too fucking popular. It’s the story of my life.” He stood up. “Even in OCS everybody hated me because I was too damned popular.”

Tom grinned. “One more thing, Major Popular, sir. David Rosenfeld. The MP sergeant”

“What about him?”

“He’s earned himself another stripe, Herb. In spades.”

“Okay. He’ll get it. Write him up.” He waved his hand at his office, still in disarray from the moving. “You can park your ass here,” he said expansively, “while I see what I can do.”

“You kidding?” Tom got up. “I’ve got to get my gear together.”

“You seem damned sure of yourself,” Lee observed dryly.

“Not of me, Herbie baby!” Tom grinned. “Not of me. Of
you!
”

Squadron Leader Charles Barlow, RAF, had taken over the erstwhile offices of the chief of maintenance located in a hangar on the airfield outside Bremen. He wanted to be close to where the action was. The field had been cleared and repaired after the bitter week-long fighting and heavy resistance that the XXX Corps of the British Second Army had run into, before the city fell on the 26th of April. It was now fully operative.

The Gauleiter of Bremen had issued a stern proclamation calling on the townspeople and the defending troops to resist to the last—and then he himself had cleared out while his city was being demolished by the desperate fighting and accompanying massive air raids.

When Squadron Leader Barlow had seen the destruction and carnage that the wanton, senseless proclamation had caused, he’d had dreams of glory about getting his hands around that Gauleiter chap’s throat and squeezing. Just squeezing. The mere thought of the man still got a rise out of him.

The RAF officer studied the four other men seated in his office.

Flight Lieutenant Campbell, Flying Officer Saunders, the American liaison officer, Captain Michael Holland, and the young Intelligence agent, Thomas Jaeger, one of the American CIC lot, who had just told them one whale of a story.

“That’s quite a yarn, old chap,” he said mildly. “Quite a yarn.” He shrugged. “But then, why not, eh? The world is half bloody crackers after all.” He contemplated Tom. “What can
we
do for you?”

Tom leaned forward eagerly. “I need assistance, Squadron Leader,” he said. “All the cooperation I can get. Authorization. Information. Transportation. You name it.”

“Not to worry,” Barlow said. He looked at Captain Holland. “Mike tells me it is quite important Must make
him
happy.” He grinned disarmingly. “Give him something to do, eh? Put him through his paces now and then. Or he’d just be kicking his heels.” He turned back to Tom. “We should like to keep him around, you know. Makes a splendid fourth.” He grew sober. “Now. What specifically can we do for you?”

Tom had been waiting for it. He knew exactly what to say. “Four main points. Authorization. Special gear. Transportation. Contacts.”

“That’s it then?”

“Right,” Tom said. “Specifically, I need permission and authorization to operate in Denmark, in a British zone of operation. I need Danish civilian clothing, currency and some sort of ID. I need to be flown to Denmark and dropped, preferably tonight. Time is vital. And I need a reception committee at the drop zone and a contact in Copenhagen.”

Squadron Leader Barlow nodded slowly. “So you do,” he agreed. “We can bloody well get you your permission, your authorization, and all that. We can send a signal to London. No trouble.” He thought for a moment “As for your gear, we can have you kitted out for your mission right here. All you have to do is sign a chit, right?”

“Of course.”

“As for transportation, we shall have to check with SOE.”

Tom gave him a questioning look.

“Special Operations Executive,” Barlow explained. “Have to see if anything is laid on for tonight, you know.” He turned to Flying Officer Saunders. “Saunders.”