316 | John W. Warner IV Bernie flew into temper. Now wait just a damn minute, Im not agreeing with theseShh! said Alice. Pipe down, hothead. What exactly do we have to bargain with? asked Bea quietly but firmly. Not much except whats in our collective memories. Our missions scrubbed. Done. In the bin. Id rather re-join the Ahnenerbe and work for the good of humankindin a fashion of coursethan die for zilch. This barmy plan does have a corsair spirit to it. To hell with McMaster and Winnie and the flipping brass hats, Ive had a bellyful of their patriarchal head games and mislaid plans. We may not survive this war. I have absolutely no idea who were fighting anymore. What say you, Drumm? Come on Bernie, follow my lead. Shes got a point, boss. He stood, knocking over his stool. To hell and back with both of you! See you at dawn then, mumbled Alice. Bea looked at Shafer. Find Gwafa. Bring him to us. Well drop him off near, uh, Tehran or something, anywhere safe, then youll have our full cooperation. Too dangerous. We cant land en route, said Geer. She snapped fingers. Wait a sec, wait.. .wait.. .wait, hes part Dogon. You know, the tribe with the Sirius star ancestors? He could be a valuable assistant for you, Ernst, he knows the stars, navigates by them in the open desert, pleaded Bea. Hes damn smart, probably smarter than we three chickens combined, thats why hes with us. Self-taught in the Arabic fashion, a bookworm, his breadth of mind vast. Quotes Rumi like a Sufi elder high on Allahs own ale. Bernie moaned and griped, rubbing and pulling his hair. He couldnt muster any other solutions. Beas right. We need our friend, or no deal. Dogon? An assistant? Schafer looked to Geer. Not a…popular decision, a schwarizer. Dont do it, Ernst! A common negro isnt worth the risk, snapped Geer. Nein? Bernie pounded the wall. No deal, boys. Ernst… Both girls shot the Germans a stiff look. Fuck off, Geer, said Alice. This is getting too complicated, too risky, worried Geer. Schafer thought long and hard. Ill make it a scientific decision, and hes not common, Edmund. With his genetic ancestry he could be most useful in our work, especially African cosmology. Ill smooth it over with Poppel, tell him Gwafa will be my