The Gemini Divergence by Eric Birk Read Free Book Online

enthusiastically of
course, the Sergeant opened the door for him and allowed him to
enter.
    Minutes later, with the meeting already in
progress, General Von Sterbenbach was going over some trivial start
of the meeting matters.
    Upon seeing that he now had the meeting in
full swing, and everybody’s undivided attention, he decided to get
to the reports of how the purge went.
    He continued, “Now, for the reports of how
the purge and transfer program have come. We will start to my right
with Major Schwerig, and then continue around the table.” After a
brief pause he introduced, “Major Schwerig.” Then von Sterbenbach
sat down leaned back and turned towards Schwerig.
    Schwerig, still sitting, picked up his paper
and started, “Thank you General… Although most of the actual
Schriewer and Gocke transfer programs were assigned to other
officers, I was charged with dispensing of subcontractors and parts
manufacturers for those specific projects. I am here to report that
all of the facilities have been destroyed and made to look like
allied bombing losses. All of the needed and usable assets have
been transferred to Riese, as ordered, to await further disposition
instructions… Further more, all forced labor has been rehabitated
into their original internment camps. All clerical records
destroyed. All logistical records destroyed.”
    In the back of his mind he thought of the
Volmer papers, but he shut it out, telling himself that later in
this meeting he was going to hear the Peenemunde report and be put
at ease.
    Schwerig finished by saying, “Most
importantly, all of the non-military personal involved in the
programs have been liquidated, and their body’s also staged to look
like allied bombing victims… All of the military men, not
associated with us, that helped me execute my orders have been
transferred to separate units on the Russian front to be put into
infantry units that have already been written off as expected total
losses in upcoming tactical skirmishes.”
    He then straightened his papers and laid them
down, looking to the officer on his right, and said, “Hauptman
Mueller, I believe that you are next.”
    Hauptman Mueller looked at Schwerig and said,
“Thank you Major Schwerig.”
    Turning then to everyone in attendance
Hauptman Mueller then gave a report very similar to Schwerig’s, and
so it went around the table, from officer to officer, ad infinitum,
until they finally got to the Major in charge of the Peenemunde
account.
    “My name is Major Toelke, and I have been
charged with dispensing the Peenemunde account,” he stated.
    Suddenly, for the first time during the
meeting, General Von Sterbenbach interrupted; taking control of the
conversation, and asked, “Major Toelke, were you able to account
for all of the personal assigned to Peenemunde?”
    Toelke answered, “Of course, Herr
General.”
    Hearing this, Schwerig felt relieved
already.
    The General continued, “Were you also able to
account for all of the assets and documents?”
    Again the Major reported, “Yes, General Von
Sterbenbach.”
    “So, Major Toelke, please tell me, after you
accounted for all of these assets, then what happened to all of the
Peenemunde personal. I am most interested to know.”
    Major Toelke reacted like he was on the spot
now, so he stood at attention and answered very nervously, “Well,
Herr General, I must report that… they all were… captured by the
Allies.”
    Schwerig’s mouth dropped open and his heart
started racing. Totally stunned by the report; he looked around the
room and saw that everybody else was having comparable
reactions.
    Before Schwerig could visually pan the entire
room and see the General’s reaction, The General already blurted
out another question, “And the rockets? What has happened to all of
our rockets?
    Major Toelke answered, “Captured as well Herr
General.”
    “Every single one?” queried Von Sterbenbach
furiously.
    “Yes,” timidly reported Toelke.
    “And all of