308 | John W. Warner IV My Engleesh iss not zo batt, replied the other man, repairing his hobnailed boot. Cheeky sods. Hand-picked, eh? Bernie pointed to the overhead lamp. ‘They hear everything by the way. Alice sat. Damned bugs. Schafer knocked and entered with Geer in tow as the song died down. The guards stood at attention. Ah! I see you have rested well after your hot showers and a good sleep. Pour us two cups? Fresh beans weekly from Italy. Before we get started today, I thought Edmund and I would have a cordial chat with you. He blew into his cup, both men having chosen to speak in English, their world travels endowing them with plentiful language skills. Thanks be to Socrates, all that speaking German gave me a headache, moaned Bea. Exhausted, disheartened, and confused, Bernie asked: Alright Ernst, brass tacks, what the hell do you really want with us? Schafer looked to the SS platoon leader. You may leave us. Once they left, Geer discreetly snipped an electrical cord on the lamp. Privacy now. They have one in our barracks as well. The blame will be on you three, however. He handed the snips to Bernie. Another little addition from Kammler. Schafer sat, his tone more serious. Listen closely. The Reichsfuhrer has given me carte blanche to recruit scientific and historical personnel, and in this capacity I outrank Poppel, much to his irritation. We have French, Polish, Norwegian, and English scientists working for us back in Europe so its not that unusual. Tomorrow at four in the morning we depart aboard Bear for Pilzen with a load of thorium ore destined for LG. Farben to purify. They ship it by night train. We scientists have been in the field for over a year now, and our group merits a two-week home leave with family. You three will go as well once you sign foreign national Ahnenerbe contracts, but you will stay on board under guard. Thirty-six hours turnaround. After my crates are unloaded and I hand in some reports, Edmund and I will join you and well turn southeast for Argentina with a contingent of new SS personnel and scientific equipment as per schedule, our vacations voluntarily nixed. The other scientists will make their way down by cargo U-Boat since there is a scheduled weekly service in place already. Now, I have an agreeable proposal for you.