Vengeance 10 (13 page)

‘Please, gentlemen, we are all friends here. You must call me Reinhard.’

Von Braun glanced at him, his expression dubious. ‘Thank you ... Reinhard.’ Turning back to Franz, he tapped a finger on the table. ‘He has agreed to help us.’

‘Help us do what?’

‘For God’s sake, Franz, stop it. Reinhard has ...’

‘Franz, I may call you Franz?’ Heydrich’s voice was friendly enough, but his expression was deadly and his eyes hooded, and for the first time in his life Bethwig knew what fear was. What in the name of God had Wernher got them into? This man was as deadly as a cobra and twice as unstable.

‘You are right to remain silent ... to a point. But I am in a position to give you all the assistance you require. You have only to accept it.’

‘I have described our plan fully to Reinhard,’ von Braun told Bethwig, expression intent. ‘He is of the opinion that it can be made to work politically.’

Heydrich chuckled at that, and his menacing expression disappeared. ‘Yes, I suppose you could put it that way.’

Bethwig studied them both. ‘Let me get this all straight, Wernher. You have described to Reinhard our lunar rocket plans, and you, Reinhard, have accepted them?’

‘Of course. Do you take me for an ass? I am well able to understand the military and political advantages of such a weapon. And unlike so many others that infest positions of importance in Germany today, I am not frightened by new technology. This could very well be the ultimate weapon. If all you say is true, a rocket base on the moon would control the destiny of the earth. Germany could establish the new world order under the leadership of the Führer, and we would cease wasting our national treasure on weapons development.’ Heydrich leaned towards them, eyes glowing. ‘Think of it, gentlemen. A world without war, a world led by the German people, the master race, the chosen ones. Why, there is nothing that we could not accomplish then!’

For an instant Bethwig was almost carried away by Heydrich’s oratory. Perhaps Wernher was right. Perhaps Heydrich had the vision as well as the political power to help them. But only for an instant: he had heard too many tales from his father about the power of the SD and its constant misuse.

Heydrich raised a cautioning finger. ‘There is, however, one vital element which your project lacks.’

‘I don’t understand.’ Von Braun’s voice expressed his puzzlement.

‘In the plan you state that explosives up to a thousand kilograms, and even rocks gathered from the moon’s surface, can be used to bombard an enemy nation. But rocks accelerated to three kilometres per second will only have the destructive force of ten thousand kilos of high explosive.’

Von Braun nodded. ‘That is correct. But...’

Heydrich’s withering glance stilled the interruption. ‘According to my staff, that is insufficient to destroy a broadly based manufacturing economy which is spread across nine point five million square kilometres. In addition, if rocks - which you so cleverly suggested - are used, they must be of a certain size and configuration, otherwise they will burn up like meteors when they strike the earth’s atmosphere. There is, however, a way to raise the destructive potential of your rockets from the moon to something on the order of a hundred thousand kilograms or more of high explosive.’

Heydrich paused and snapped his fingers at the waiter, who rushed forward to refill the brandy glasses. When he had retreated, Heydrich smiled and raised his glass, but did not offer a toast. ‘You gentlemen lack certain vital knowledge. That knowledge, and the means to put it into practice, will be my contribution to our partnership. You see, I am a very fair-minded man.’

Bethwig, tired and still irritated at his friend for having brought someone like Heydrich into their plans, allowed his irritation to override his caution.

‘Herr Heydrich, please stop beating about the bush. What are you trying to tell us?’

It occurred to him that it must have been years since anyone had dared to talk to Heydrich in that manner. The man’s face flushed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed convulsively. His eyes narrowed, and his lips drew together to form a white streak. Bethwig realised at that moment that he was looking at a man who kept his insanity under very careful control.

‘Yes, perhaps I should.’ Heydrich bit out the words. ‘It seems that my attempt to put you at ease has failed, or been rejected.’

‘My apologies,’ Bethwig began, but Heydrich slashed a hand down.

‘Your lunar rocket must have a uranium bomb warhead attached to it. Then it will be as effective as required.’

‘A uranium bomb,’ Bethwig started to exclaim into the shocked silence but caught himself and lowered his voice. ‘Is there really a uranium bomb project?’

Heydrich gave him a thin smile. ‘You see, we can be of service to one another. Yes, there is. It is the most highly classified weapons project in the Reich. Less than two hundred people even know such a project exists. Now, would not a uranium bomb make the perfect warhead for your rocket?’

‘Of course,’ von Braun grinned, ‘if it will be as powerful a weapon as postulated. It would only require one or two demonstration weapons exploded into the ocean to - ‘

‘Into the ocean? Surely, my dear Wernher, a more severe demonstration would be required. Perhaps a city or two, New York, London ….’

‘Well, perhaps... although an explosion in a desert... it might show that we are - ‘

‘Of course, my dear Wernher.’ Heydrich’s smile was even thinner than before. ‘An excellent suggestion. I will have my staff look into it. The final condition of his defeated enemy must always be a major concern of the victor. They must either be crushed ruthlessly, to the last human soul, or they must be treated with benevolence and kindness. Anything between the two extremes will only allow the vanquished to rise up once more in revenge. Germany herself is a case in point.

‘But to return to the subject at hand.’ Heydrich paused to light a fresh cigar. ‘I am in sympathy with what you gentlemen are attempting to do. With the understanding that military considerations must always take precedence, I am willing to assist you. With my help there will be no more need to indulge in childish and time-wasting - and what could be interpreted in some quarters as criminal - manoeuvrings for materials and equipment. Under my protection there will be no more need to hide requisitions for A-Ten development among the legitimate needs of the A-Four.’ The two scientists exchanged uncomfortable glances. A strict interpretation of the sabotage laws would see them both sentenced to long prison terms, or even executed, if the full extent of their activities in developing the prototype A-10 rocket engine were known.

Heydrich stared at his cigar a moment. ‘I think we understand one another, gentlemen. Do we not?’

Both nodded.

‘Then you will please furnish me with a complete set of your plans and a list of your needs, ranked in order of priority. All costs should be fully detailed, special suppliers designated, and the reason for their selection stated. I will then undertake to see that your needs are met at the earliest opportunity.’ Heydrich paused and chuckled. ‘Even though we will never make public my interest in your project, I think I can assure you that there will be no interference from other, shall we say, interested quarters.’

He paused and tapped the table to rivet their attention. ‘As you are no doubt aware, the generals do not stand high in the Führer’s favour at the moment. The army is now approaching Moscow after having delayed and complained for weeks. Already the weather has worsened. The rains have come early and will soon turn to snow and ice. When that happens, the advantage must inevitably shift to the defenders. In the spring the army may be able to complete its task, but for now the Führer’s disaffection will grow. I am not one who thinks the war will end quickly. If we were to beat Russia, we should have done so by now. The war will be long, and you must give some consideration to your own positions.’

The delicate allusion hung in the air between them, and it was von Braun who broke the silence with a nervous laugh.

‘Are you suggesting we join the SD?’ he asked.

‘It is certainly worth considering. There are a great many advantages. But enough of that.’ Heydrich smiled suddenly. ‘The uranium bomb project is well along. I tell you this in the utmost confidence. Now that Norway is fully occupied, shipments of heavy water, a vital ingredient in its development, have begun. The total quantity of heavy water to be produced in 1942 has been raised to 4500 kilograms. My staff forecasts that it will be ready by late 1944 or early 1945. No matter the outcome in Russia, our greatest enemy will by that time be the United States. Only a blind man could fail to see that. By then we may also have to deal harshly with England, particularly if we do not gain a quick victory in Russia.’

‘You seem quite pessimistic on that score,’ Bethwig commented, searching for safer ground. ‘The predictions are that the war will be won by the end of next summer and that England will be ready to negotiate an armistice.’

‘I admit it. And with what I think is good reason. The Soviet Union has massive reserves of men and resources. They are a strange and insular people who have always contested bitterly any incursion on to their territory. They show a positive genius for defeating invaders, and they have always been willing to make an alliance with anyone who will aid them. That is why I am not surprised that Stalin has concluded a treaty with Churchill.’

‘But perhaps that may work to our advantage,’ Bethwig suggested. ‘Eventually they must fall out. The English fear communism as much as we do.’

Heydrich dismissed the subject with a wave. ‘Perhaps. However, our concern at the moment has to do with the lunar project. I take it we are agreed upon the terms of our partnership, gentlemen?’

Bethwig learned at that moment that Heydrich could and would expound his own theories by the hour but was completely uninterested in those put forward by anyone else. The ultimate ego, he thought, and therefore most treacherous. Nothing and no one but himself would ever matter to Reinhard Heydrich.

‘I think Franz and I would like to discuss it a bit first,’ von Braun ventured.

‘Of course!’ Heydrich waved his cigar jovially in the direction of his aide, who sprang to the table. ‘But I return to Prague tomorrow morning at seven. We do seem agreed on what needs to be done, so why not assume your decision will be favourable? Heh?’ He stood up, carelessly stubbing out his cigar on the tablecloth. ‘I am certain you will enjoy the advantages of working with the SD. Good night, gentlemen.’

‘Finding the moon will be relatively simple,’ von Braun went on. ‘The basic tools one uses are radio, radio direction finding, and the stars, which in effect become signposts that do not vary in the slightest - at least for our purposes. If one calculates the angular distance between the moon’s centre and a certain star before starting, it is possible to measure any deviation in the spacecraft’s flight path or orbit as one approaches one’s target simply by observing the angular distance.’

‘Orbit? I thought only planets travelled in orbits.’

Von Braun chuckled with an expert’s superiority. ‘They do, but any object travelling in space describes a curved trajectory. You see, the gravitational effect of the Earth, the moon, the sun, and even such major planets as Jupiter and Saturn, all affect the object, causing it to be pulled this way and that. If each of these gravitational tugs is balanced perfectly, the effect is really a curved line.’

‘I see.’ Heydrich nodded. ‘I assumed that once a craft reached airless space it merely coasted under the effect of the target planet’s gravity field.’

‘Basically it does, providing that such gravitational force is not overcome by one even stronger. Many people reading Professor Oberth’s book made that mistake.’

‘And how do you make certain that does not happen?’ There was a trace of annoyance in Heydrich’s voice. Clearly, Bethwig thought, he does not like being talked down to.

‘It is a matter of acceleration or speed,’ Bethwig broke in before Wernher could make matters worse. Heydrich had surprised him by showing genuine interest in the details of the project.

‘The correct speed must be selected to place the craft into the proper orbit. Too slow a speed will cause it to fall back to Earth. Too fast, and it will fall into the sun. Even faster, and it will escape the solar system altogether.’

‘Correct,’ von Braun broke in. ‘As the spacecraft approaches the moon, our observations become more accurate, allowing the speed to be adjusted. The occultation - disappearance of selected stars - behind the moon enables us to determine the exact course of the rocket as it approaches for a landing.’

In spite of the veiled threats of that evening three weeks before, Heydrich had since been polite and considerate, had even invited them to Hradcany Castle, his Prague headquarters, for a weekend. With brilliant autumn sunshine streaming across the pleasant garden beyond the french doors, Bethwig could feel tired muscles and tense nerves relaxing. That morning he and von Braun had strolled around Prague, and the mood of the city had certainly suggested that Heydrich was the model administrator he claimed to be. Bethwig recalled his comment about benevolence versus destructiveness. People seemed content, well fed and dressed, and there was none of the sullenness one encountered in Belgium, France, or even Denmark. The Czechs seemed to have adapted well enough to National Socialist rule - or Heydrich had adapted it to them.

Von Braun had begun to describe the rocket. ‘We have determined that a single-stage rocket, a vehicle designed to complete a mission as a single unit, is not practical. It would be far too large, given our present fuels, and cause insurmountable aerodynamic problems. So we have designed a three-stage vehicle, that is to say, three complete rocket vehicles stacked one atop the other. The first rocket, or stage, is the most powerful, as it must lift the combined weights of the others. Once its fuel is exhausted, it will be jettisoned, and the second stage will drive the rocket into space and temporary orbit around the Earth. Then, when it’s in the right position, the second stage will fire one last time, sending the third stage on its way to the moon. This final stage will coast along its assigned trajectory, firing its engines only to make course corrections and to brake itself to a landing on the moon. The rocket must then be refuelled from supplies brought up by drone rockets before it can return to Earth.’