392 | John W. Warner IV Hey you! Get your own ambrosia… The elephant roared, trunk high. The Howdah gang laughed from above. Ive never seen an elephant so big, said Klemperer, patting its side. Magnificent beast. Geer took a photo with the Leica. No one back home will believe us. What luck! Gerlach recognized a suited German businessman in a mixed group of delegates and ministers. He went up and shook hands, chatting away. Herr Flugelrad grabbed his shoulders. Walter, why are you here? How did you…? I flew in by airship, the Himmelsbdr. You should see my genius at work in the engine room. What is this place? Are we really in Shambala? He smiled. Yes we are. Im here on behalf of Speer to negotiate rare-earth materials, exotic mineral oils, and trade for citrus products bound for the Russian Front, tinned of course. Allied representatives are here too, bit of a competition. Whaff Fluglerad laughed. Were in a neutral country of sorts. Anyway, we came by Norwegian freighter with some monks via a long tunnel near Svalbard. I didnt know you were cleared for Inner Earth Duty. ‘Iherere only six of us, I thought. You need much spiritual preparation and a Buddhists sense of calm. Strict permissions too. Hands in pockets. Errgh! It was not in my mission briefing, thats for sure. Nor Porsches either. Two brothers were with us, the Nazzaras, both Aldebarans, traders. Were on board with enemy personnel, ex-Iraq, the Zagros mining base. It collapsed in an earthquake. A long story. How does one get clearance for this place? Youll have to ask Himmler when you get home. Its classified above all other programs. Why in Gotfs name are you with Porsche? Like me, he was brought in by transport plane as a contractor to fix the propshaft magnet problems we had. Hes an egotistical ass, but a good mechanic. A whistle. This way gang, said Bea, grabbing Gerlachs arm. A distant gong sounded; delegates moved off. I have to go. Lets catch up later in the jade dining hall, said Flugelrad. Stalingrad was lost. We need a miracle now. Gerlach looked shocked. What? The Sixth Army? How? Far off in a crowd he yelled: Marshal Paulus surrendered despite the Fuhrers orders. Our boys froze and starved. Im a Bohemian mystic diplomat, not a soldier. Who knows how?