Necrocide (19 page)

Hawkins relaxed and withdrew from Genevieve who still writhed around enjoying the power to command her man to climax at her pleasure. He kissed slowly her bare shoulders and lay with his head close to her. He expected her to roll over and thank him with a kiss but none was forthcoming. This was still sex on her terms despite Genevieve's attempts to make Hawkins feel in control. Hawkins was past caring. The morphia-like glow of contentment was enough to send him into a fast and dreamless sleep. It was maybe the final moment of true solace that remained before Hawkins' very own D-Day which was now only mere hours away.

CHAPTER 24

When Hawkins awoke, it was not naturally. It was via a flick of his ear which startled him and he sat up ready for a fight. When he realised that it was the young boy who he had spotted in the window the day before, he relaxed a little before pointing a 'finger' gun at him and shooting him callously. The boy laughed and trotted off leaving Hawkins to note that all the others had risen.

“You must have needed the sleep.” Bauer said as he sat up, his back to the wall. The morning light streamed into the room and it was enough to pain Hawkins brain behind his eyes.

“Yes, thanks. I thought I’d make the most of it as I don't expect I’ll get to do it again.” Hawkins remarked pessimistically but with a light humour.

“Oh, I don't know. You may get a longer sleep than you could wish for.” Genevieve said with insensitivity that Hawkins had grown to accept. She was sat up, filling a pack with grenades, her bare legs surrounded by explosive devices.

“Well, if that happens, then it will probably come as a relief after all of this.” The Brit replied.

“I'm glad optimism is alive and well in England.” Bauer laughed as Leballieur entered the room looking sweaty and nervous.

“We will begin to set off the explosives at eight thirty. Do not expect us to hang around for much longer after that. We have acquired a vehicle for our escape. With any luck, Von Hummel will think that a full scale assault is taking place and send his minions out front to deal with it. I suggest you already be in the passage by that time and make haste to the laboratories. Don't stop to take in the scenery.”

“Of course, this all hinges on whether or not the stinking bastards have found the secret tunnel. If they have, we may as well head for the coast and find a sturdy boat.” Hawkins replied, realising the flaw in the plan.

“Just getting to the tunnel undetected will be vital. For this, I will escort you personally as we will have to cross the town to do so.”

Bauer heaved himself up and on to his feet and stretched.

“We appreciate your held Jean-Paul. I would like to think that I have not coerced you or your friends in any way to do this. I am aware that there are big risks for everyone.”

Surprisingly, Genevieve was the one to pitch in first.

“If it is not us, then it will be no one. We must put an end to them now.” Genevieve said with an imperiously noble posture. Hawkins smiled and shook his head with delight. This was not her fight yet she stood with the others shoulder to shoulder, brave as a lion; she was an inspiration.

“The time is now zero seven hundred give or take the odd minute. I suggest we start to make a move.” Bauer said as he looked about his feet for his weapons. Leballieur nodded and smiled with admiration.

“Remember, you don't have to worry about getting out, once you have disengaged Von Hummel from the machine, the soldiers will not continue to function. Swift, sure and with spirit, my friends.” Leballieur offered his morale boosting effort and it did lift Hawkins' heavy heart somewhat. The Brit saw the faces of the young collection of boys and men that followed the scientist and they too looked terrified of what was to come. They had tasted personal tragedy too; Hawkins hoped that like himself, the thirst for revenge would drive them on to do a good job.

*

Leballieur skipped from house to house, Bauer, Hawkins and Genevieve following closely in his footsteps trying desperately to not rattle their heavy loads or rush into any wandering patrols. The town quickly became more devastated the nearer they moved towards the centre. Leballieur made a point not to move as the crow flies, there had been carnage around the plaza and plenty of enemy movement the previous day. It was better to take the lengthy but cautious route along the smaller streets and alleyways.

The research bunker was situated just on the other side of Caen and clearly stretched for some distance beneath the previously bustling population. Its main access point was via a compound which had probably seen a full scale battle. If the fallen German soldiers had dealt any major blow, the entrance would have been severely damaged and reconstruction would be quite an intensive effort for the remaining cold soldiers. This and other factors played into the hands of the insurgents who dare not blow this opportunity to put an end to Hitler's secret weapon.

Time ticked on and Hawkins became aware that if they were not in position by half past eight, then it was to be all in vain anyway. Giving Leballieur the hurry up, the pace quickened until the group almost stumbled upon a duo of patrolling enemy soldiers who marched slowly in perfect synchronisation down the rubble strewn street before them. Remaining undetected, it was the first time that Hawkins had the time to look upon the foe with any great length of time. They were after all just men, not even alive. They were not creatures from outer space or monsters from the depths. They were becoming easier to understand, the psychological barriers were beginning to break. Killing other men was always difficult even under the rules of war. Taking another’s uniqueness, their individuality and destroying it forever was a sin no matter how justified it be in the game of 'kill or be killed'. There was no sin in killing something that had already been killed. If anything, it made the whole process less difficult. Hawkins looked forward to killing more of these things; he relished the prospect of blowing them to bits, stripping the flesh from their bones. It was tempting to put an end to the two marching soldiers as they grimly paced away down the road but restraint was key. Leballieur's words filled the Brit's mind. Stealth was the name of this game.

By the time the small squad had reached 'Rue de Champagne', a long arcing street, the home of a number of local shops, it was a quarter past eight and there was great relief that they had reached their destination without major incident. The fleet footed fighters quickly crossed the street and ducked into an alleyway just along from 'la Boucherie de Alain Rominaux'.

“That is the place.” Leballieur whispered marking the shop with the point of his finger. Besides the shop there is an alleyway. There is a brick wall to the left and a high white gate. Inside the rear courtyard, you will find the rear entrance leading on the right to the scullery. If it has been left undisturbed as we hope, you will see a small rectangular panel about two feet wide just below the sink to the right. That is all I can do for you now, I must return to rendezvous with my boys and get out of here. Unfortunately, I will not be around to know immediately if you have been successful in your quest but if you are then I pray we will meet again under more pleasant circumstances.” Leballieur looked keen to be away from this street, it seemed the thought of being close to the bunker was enough to disturb him.

“Thank you Jean-Paul, for everything.” Bauer said as he shook the man's clammy hand. The scientist nodded, offered a farewell wave and scurried off in the direction he had just come from.

“We have only minutes, Bauer.” Genevieve impressed on the Colonel that there was no time for sentimental goodbyes and the German led them up the street to their goal.

True to his word, the alleyway besides the butchers was as described. Leballieur had done well to remember such detail in what must have been a blind panic. There was still no sign that the soldiers had come to this place although if the door to the passageway had been sealed, that did not bode well at all. Bauer carefully opened the tall white gate which led to the courtyard which was filled with bins which contained the stench of rotting meat. The back door swung gently in the breeze and it was a relief to know the building had not been secured. With weapons at the ready, Bauer took point and cautiously entered the shop, quickly finding the scullery and much to the relief of all, there was the small white wooden panel which was left wide open revealing a pitch black hole which emanated a warm waft of air. Bauer looked down at his watch; there were only three minutes till Leballieur's boys would begin the barrage.

“Let's move now, we have minutes to spare.” The German said, his heart beat audible in his voice.

Weapon, then head first, Bauer climbed into the dark portal and crawled his way through. When his feet had disappeared, Hawkins followed suit, his MG42 machine gun rattling against the floor as he pushed it forward into the abyss. Genevieve pushed the box of ammunition in after him and took one final look at the light of day before she too braved the confines of the narrow tunnel and entered into a world of darkness.

CHAPTER 25

The tunnel remained claustrophobic for a number of metres before widening somewhat and after another ten or so metres more; the headroom began to increase significantly. Bauer used a small battery powered torch to light the immediate area before him. It smelled damp and slick green algae seemed to inhabit the walls until the tunnel began to sharply decline and the air became more arid.

“I think we got lucky.” Hawkins whispered as he stooped low moving in a shuffling motion shortly behind Bauer.

“Maybe, maybe not.” Bauer puffed, it was hard work carrying their load in such a manner.

“We may get to the inner door and find it locked, then this will all be for nothing.” Bauer continued.

“Shut up fools, do you want them to hear us coming?” Genevieve hissed and even Bauer recognised that she had a point.

The tunnel continued to wind its way down at a steep descent until it began to plateau. Bauer caught a glimpse of something up ahead and he silently brought the others to a halt. Lying prostrate upon the rocky floor ahead was a white shirted man, his face pale under the luminosity of Bauer's torch. The left side of his breast was darkened by dried blood and the warm atmosphere of the tunnel did nothing to aid the extended preservation of his body.

“It is the Commandant.” Genevieve whispered.

“Just as Leballieur mentioned.” Hawkins followed up.

“Several bullets to the chest, not healthy.” Bauer mumbled as he shone the torch over the forlorn figure, the light reflecting in the man's still open eyes.

A low rumble was audibly perceived by all followed by a crackle of distant noise. Bauer shone the torch on his watch and it rightly suggested that it was time for the chaos to begin.

“Let's move.” Bauer whispered as he hurried along the remainder of the passageway which grew taller by the foot.

Turning his torch off as he neared what he thought might be a source of light; he was greeted by a thin sliver of red light, seeping in through a slender crack in the darkness. Approaching with caution, he peered into the light and was greeted by the warm wash of air which signified the underground facility. Through the crack in the inner door, he could see what looked to be a plush office, paper strewn about a large wooden desk and several tall filing cabinets in the corner. Gently pushing the door further ajar with his finger poised over the trigger of his MP44, he climbed stealthily through the opening remaining vigilant as he went. The office door to the adjacent corridor was wide open and a strobing alert light bathed the scene in pulsating red glow. Bauer signalled the others to follow as he skipped across the office and to the corridor, his ears pricked for any sign of movement.

Feeling fairly confident that the corridor outside was devoid of cold soldiers, Bauer dropped his pack and began to rummage within, pulling out potato mashers and a large Panzerschreck grenade which accompanied the long hollow tube which Hawkins carried slung around his back. The others followed suit, now their incursion had begun, they would have to move at speed, dropping extraneous supplies and making sure they had quick access to ammunition. Bauer ensured the Panzerschreck was loaded, and handed it back to Hawkins who was quite encumbered already with the heavy machine gun. The highly explosive tank killing projectile would ensure multiple kills, exactly what they might need if faced with a large group of soldiers in a narrow corridor. Grenades were poking out of every pocket and even Genevieve tied around her waist a belt full of magazines for her MP44 assault rifle. When the three had readied themselves, Hawkins with machine gun and bi pod in hand gave Bauer a nod and a smile and made his way to the exit.

Hawkins movement was quickly halted when there were sounds of footsteps and almost before they could react, a small troop of about four or five soldiers marched right past the office door, their haste seemingly induced by events outside. Hawkins audibly exhaled a large breath of relief as Bauer still covered the doorway with his gun. It was not only a close call but a wakeup call. The soldiers moved swiftly and did not announce their presence. Vigilance at all times was now key to their survival.

Having memorised the makeshift map of the facility that Leballieur had artistically drawn for them, Hawkins now led the way and they shuffled down the corridor to the East of the Commandants office with pace. The passageways in the bunker were tight, and dark. The only source of light seemed to be the damned strobing red glow which constantly reminded them all that the bunker was in a state of heightened alert. It was no doubt activated on initial assault and there was no reason for Von Hummel's soldiers to disengage it. They cared little for their working environment.