“Links, oder Rechts, meine Herren?” Payne said, in his heavily British accented German. He was still manhandled.
“Will they do, Herr Minister?”
“Well, they do look like the kind of trash one would see at the French kiosks. Is this the name of an actual magazine, or did your people make this up?”
“We were in luck, Herr Minister! This magazine existed from 1923 to 1935. It was published in several Switzerland printing houses in French, and was distributed throughout five regions of France.” The captain walked over to the 3 x 4 meter sized map of Europe on the wall and pointed out the regions of France in question.
“Excellent!” Goebbels said. Besides having a large distribution area, the magazine should also have the name recognition the Minister thought necessary. What the captain had found was perfect.
“To the French public, this edition should merely appear as if “Unknown Worlds” was simply making a revival back into business.” The captain said while returning to the desk.
Couldn’t have planned such a perfect situation myself. Goebbels proudly thought.
“We also found that Krafft had contributed over fifty articles to this magazine in the past, so your predictions will not appear odd or out of place, either.”
Goebbels smile grew greater.
The captain knew how to word details to Goebbels. Even though Krafft would actually be writing the “predictions”, the fact all this was Goebbels’ idea had these writings now become Goebbels’ predictions.
“When can we begin distribution?”
“In Switzerland, as soon as we have Krafft’s work. In France, only a few days after that, all that is needed will be to ship them to the proper distribution centers.”
This was satisfactory. However, Goebbels was beginning to worry since the window for this project was closing. The invasion was still several months away, but Fesel had not yet given a delivery date of Krafft’s work.
Both Fesel and Goebbels knew the problems – the Nostradamus passages had to be believable. If Krafft could find an actual passage that closely described Goebbels’ intended purpose, then all the better. If he had to stretch it, then it was understandable.
“When will we have Krafft’s work?” The captain asked, as if Goebbels’ thoughts had somehow transferred to his own.
“This I don’t know. Our good friend Herr Fesel said it will be soon, but there are many obstacles in this matter, perhaps a day or two.”
“Obstacles, Herr Minister?” Captain Ranner was one of the few people in the Third Reich who could press Goebbels for an answer in a normal conversation. With anyone else such a meeting would be merely following orders or answering questions from the five foot five inch tall master manipulator of facts.
“The job must be able to do more than just present our propaganda, Herr Captain. There are many Nostradamus hobbyists, amateurs, and experts in France. One rebut, or counter article, especially by a Frenchman, could take the desired sting out of our point.”
“Should this plan work, Herr Goebbels, then you will go down in history as the first ever to co-ordinate propaganda as a tactical aspect of a military operation.”
“I never thought about it in that that way, Herr Captain, but perhaps you are right… I just may very well be the first in history.”
“A lot has happened since the good old days in Mannheim, Karl Ernst.”
“Then, let’s hear about them.”
“Not here…” Lucht said while looking out the door of the office. “…unfortunately I must rewrite a booklet that Fesel said I should have finished three days ago.”
Krafft saw the statement as a hint to the stress his friend Georg was undergoing.
“Let us have a beer this evening… we can catch up then.” Both men nodded.
“What are you working on?”
“I’m really not sure, it has something to do with the all these positions of the French army. Are you working on this map too?”
“I’m the one who sorted out all of the texts that relation to this area.”
“I should have guessed! What do you know about this, Georg?”
“Fesel wants text that interprets this area to be the safest place for civilians, farmers, and…”
“…all their property.” Both men said together, citing the passage of Nostradamus that stated such.
“For what reason? Why would Fesel, Goebbels or Hitler want to tell the French that this area would be safe for them?”
Georg Lucht shook his head revealing he had no idea.
The line of tuxedoes and formal dresses slowly moved forward.
“I’ve heard there are over two hundred costumes in this performance!” Katherine said to Fesel, trying to get conversation going. She felt awkward standing next to someone and around so many people, yet not saying anything.
Fesel did not assist in helping her insecurity. He merely grunted something inaudible and then looked at the posters of the play beside them.
While Katherine was actually the Baron’s date for this evening, she did not say anything to von Hoogerwoerd while they stood in line. She learned long ago he hated speaking in crowds. It was this and several other oppositions in character that Katherine and Baron Harals Keun von Hoogerwoerd shared that had them usually inviting another couple along with them to such social events.
Katherine then decided to make conversation with Fesel’s date, Ava, who stood a full half-meter about Fesel’s short frame.
“Lovely dress, my dear, where did you get it?”
“My mother made it.” Ava did not say ‘thank-you’ for the compliment, since she did not know if Katherine was being sincere. In Ava’s opinion, the dress that Katherine had on was far more elegant, modern, and more expensive looking. Why would one wearing such a treasure compliment the plain thing she had on?
“Good evening, Herr Doctor.”
Fesel turned and saw Major Felix Strauss and his wife merging into their group to enter the main brass and windowed doors.
“Major!” Fesel gave an energetic handshake then clicked his heels and kissed the hand of Frau Strauss. “I didn’t know you enjoyed comedy!”
“Of course! Now that I don’t have the Poles to fight, I don’t have anything to make me laugh anymore!”
The group and some nearby chuckled to show their approval and perceived agreement.
“Let us get together…” Major Strauss continued, “…where will you be going after the show?”
Fesel looked at the Baron, who shrugged his shoulders. The truth was, either no plans had been made, or the ones that were did not include the Major. The Major saw this point immediately in their reaction and quickly offered a graceful exit.
“We are meeting up with the von Hoffmans at the Stern & Riechters on the Plumgarten Strasse afterwards, please, all of you are more than welcome to join us.” The Major looked at each member of the Baron’s group while saying ‘all of you’ to emphasize the invitation was indeed sincere. Each one who looked into the Major’s eyes while he did so felt they were truly invited and wanted to go. Except the Baron, who nodded his head in appreciation while Katherine and Ave returned smiles.