Lion, Tiger, Bear | 335 Bea spun the truck in an arc almost running over a few soldiers. She crunched into reverse and reversed into the cavern, weaving around. Out of my damn way people! Backing up to the rear stairway of the airship where Luftwaffe personnel were abandoning ship, she cried: All stop!The air brakes hissed. Baumann, head bleeding badly from a fallen lump, grabbed the trucks doorframe. What are you idiots doing? ‘The cavern is coming apart, its Old Testament shit. Huge chunks of the anthracite tunnel casing came down, killing many with their glass-sharp edges. Barracks and sheds were smashed in the onslaught; fires erupted. Many chunks rolled down from having hit the protective airship bubble. Its a giant grave in here! Klemperer and Schafer carried Bernie. Get to your cockpit, Baumann. Were taking the Bear out in reverse, ordered Klemperer. My men! He waved at some soldiers, slowing them down. Into the airship, thats an order! Rucksacks donned, two of them looked back into the tunnel. With respect, we ask permission to take our chances in the mountains with our comrades, Herr Siurmbannfiihrer. If we are going to die… He thought for a moment, surveying the disaster all around him. Go! Make your way north to Turkey, then to Greece. Ill see you in Munich at the weinkeller. The men saluted and ran off. Porsches finishing the last few magnets in the propshaft trench. Theres no time, pleaded Baumann. Schafer grabbed his collar. The whole valley is disintegrating, Kurt! Take your chances with us, or take your chance out there. T dont know where my flight crew are, many are dead, said Baumann frantically. Most were in the mess eating when Bea, you and Alice help Baumann in the cockpit. Do it, run! yelled Bernie as Klemperer and Baumann helped him up the gangplank, his bad leg in serious pain. Shes a pilot, the best, she can help. She had better be, snarled Klemperer. Ummphh.. .you weigh a ton, Rodgers, how tall are you? Woozy, Bernie gave him a dirty smile eight inches away, a tooth missing. Six foot three, just like George God-damned Washington. Hightail it Beans, Ive got him, said Alice, now assisting a woozy Baumann.