"Jack," I replied. "And you seem like a nice woman. I hate the fact that I need to use this pistol. I just want to get home."
"I am a nice woman. And you can put your pistol away."
"Doubtful." Jack replied."
"Listen," Sarah began. "I'm not going to turn you in. Trust me, they wouldn't make me a hero because of it. I'd likely be thought of as a conspirator along with you. I can help you in pretty much any other capacity down here, assuming that you leave me be once I do. I won't alert anyone, but if you get caught I can't be involved."
I stared at this magnificent woman and her offer, which seemed too good to be true. Finally, I began contemplating it.
"Jack, what other choice do you have?" she asked. "As of now, I could tell you anything and you wouldn't know the difference until it was too late anyway. I'm offering to help you without any strings attached."
"Why?" I demanded to know.
I could see a look of sorrow on her face for a brief moment.
"Because I have a daughter on the surface," Sarah finally replied. "I only ask that you deliver a letter to her."
"A daughter?" I asked.
"I imagine she thinks I abandoned her. When in reality, these soldiers took me against my will and brought me down here."
"They took you?"
"They take everyone," she replied. I could hear the utmost sincerity in her voice. "Aside from a few of their most trusted officers. Believe me, I'm as much at their mercy as you are. So you can put the pistol away."
I was hesitant to do so at first. But the good inside of me convinced my suspicions to rest for the moment. Slowly, I lowered my sidearm.
"They bring new faces down here quite often," she began. "So it's not going to be that hard for people to believe that you are training beneath me. If that suits you?"
I nodded. What choice did I have?
"Well...let's go." Sarah insisted.
"Wait," I replied. Had I fallen for this woman's charm to the point of being a fool? "How do I know that you won't alert the soldiers outside."
I could see aggravation on her face, yet she understood that I was nervous.
"Because if after they kill you, they'll likely kill me, too. And then I believe they would return to the surface and kill my daughter as well."
I wasn't quite sure what to say.
"You've no idea what these people are capable of."
"OK," I replied. "But I still have my pistol. At the first sign of trouble-"
"Trust me." she replied.
I don't know why, but something about Sarah made me trust her. Either she was telling me the truth, or she was the queen of all liars.
I took a deep breath as she opened the door.
"Just stay close to me and pretend that I'm training you."
With a nod, I hung my life on a woman that I'd just met.
"During the closing stages of World War 2," she began, much like an instructor would. The noise of hundreds of other people chattering played to our strength. "Adolf Hitler and his cabinet evacuated to Argentina. From there, they began an elaborate plan to construct a large bunker, Codename: Lunar, and operate the Third Reich from under the ground. Of course I'm guessing you already know that, given the fact that your standing in the bunker."
I am?
"What the Germans found was a vast world already beneath the surface. But I'm guessing you already know that, too. According to the information that German scouts brought back, this world is just over two-thirds of the size of the world above us. We have oceans, we have forests - we have pretty much anything the surface has."
"The blue dome over this place-"
"We still don't know what it is," Sarah replied. "That's what some of the white coats you see are here to study. But it's called wonderstone."
"Wonderstone." I replied.
"That's right. If you watch it close enough, you can see the blocks shimmer with life. That's what produces the glow. We don't know how long this place has been down here, but we believe it's a very long time. Thousands of years, if not more."
"And the elevator down from Argentina-"
"Is just one of hundreds," she replied. Much to my surprise. "The Germans wanted to be able to go back and forth with ease, but didn't want to be landlocked into one place. At the same time, they didn't have the manpower to guard hundreds of entry points...so they don't. They leave the entry points open and guard the fortress instead, which is the only way back to the surface. The belief is that if someone stumbles onto an elevator by accident, this world and its horrors will kill them long before the Germans have to look at them."
"Obviously." I replied with sarcasm.
My remark was met with a vibrant smile.
"Quiet here. Let me do the talking, OK?"
I nodded.
Approaching a door, Sarah began conversing with a German soldier in his own language. The exchange made me jumpy and I'd nearly pulled my pistol on the both of them. Especially as he stared at me with question. Finally, right as I was preparing to go down in a hail of gunfire, he leaned across and opened the door.
Shutting it behind us, Sarah looked at me.
"All key cards have a number. Yours is 1, whereas mine is 8. This room is a level 8 room and it took some explaining to get you in here," she explained. "He's sweet on me."
I sighed.
"I need you to brace yourself for this and understand that it's synthetic. OK?" Sarah asked. She did so with extreme caution.
I nodded.
Upon entering a second door, my eyes lay witness to the most horrific sight imaginable.
Hitler!
"It's not really him, mind you." Sarah said fast.
But I wasn't so sure. The body of Adolf Hitler stood before me and his eyes moved when I did. As I turned to look behind him, hoping to convince myself that it was just some sort of imitation, the body in front of me turned as well. Following my every move like some horror story killer.
"It's a computer," Sarah began. "Actually we call it the grand computer. Anything you want or need to know about this world, ask it now. I know a great deal about this world because the Nazis have forced us to learn. What I don't know - the computer does."
I could now see metal tubes protruding from the back of this strange device. I couldn't inspect it fully, though, as its eyes cut through me with hatred.
"Well go on," Sarah said. "Ask away."
"What are you?" I asked with timidness.
"I am the grand computer," this thing with Adolf Hitler's face and well known voice replied. "I'm an exact replica of the fuhrer, who brought prominence to the Third Reich, and right now you are speaking English."
There were so many questions that I wanted to ask...none of which I could think of as its eyes surveyed me like I was a victim.
"When and how did Adolf Hitler die?" Sarah asked.
"October 26th, 1991. In his sleep from natural causes."
"How long did it take to build this fortress?" I asked.
"61 years."
"What is the mission statement."
"To rule this underworld, which rests beneath the world that was stolen from us. Codename: Lunar." it replied. Never blinking.
I wanted to shoot the damn thing. I wanted to rest the side of my pistol to its synthetic skull and bring sweeping retribution to all of those who'd been wronged. As best I could, anyway. But then I'd never be able to return home.
"How did Twilight become a bestseller?"
I had to try. No one else seemed to know the answer, so I threw the question at a machine that was supposed to know everything. Even it didn't know.
"I'm not familiar." Sarah admitted.
"Yea, don't beat yourself up about it." I replied.
"Ready?"
"As ever." I said.
Glancing back, I could still see the synthetic computer, which looked like a monster chained to a wall, peering at me with curiosity.
We both nodded to the soldier posted at the door, and I could now see the way
he looked at Sarah. Given the fact that he looked like a shaven ogre, I could only hope that the affection was completely one-sided.
"How would you like to return to the surface with me?"
Sarah turned to stare - without words.
"I believe I have a way to get us both into that elevator and get to the surface...assuming your key card will open the door."
"It will," Sarah began. "If your plan fails..."
"Then we're both dead," I replied. "But I'm offering you a chance to return to your daughter. If you help me, I'll get you to her and even help get you both somewhere safe. You've been good to your word and I will be good to mine."
Sarah thought about a great deal of things. I could see her mind putting things into lists of pros and cons. Finally, she smiled just a bit.
"I would like to see my daughter again."
"Then you shall."
By God and all of the fight inside of me - you shall.
I didn't really have a plan worked up just yet, but I knew that we had the resources to put something together. There were two guards posted at the elevator door, a third guarding the grand computer and then two more, all of the way at the end of the floor space, which stretched for hundreds of yards.
We needed to lure three guards away and be gone by the time any of them could get back to us. Their MP 40 machine guns would rip us to shreds, there was no doubting it. Our plan needed to get us into the elevator and away as quickly as possible.
"Once we get inside and begin our ascent, can they stop the process?"
"No," Sarah replied. "The elevators work on a system of rails. "We'll be taken to the surface and will have approximately one minute to run before they can recall the elevator. At which time we'll also have the time it takes to make a round trip."
"A handful of minutes, all things considered." I replied.
"Yes."
"So you have any idea where the elevator leads?"
"I do not. Only to the surface." she admitted.
I would have killed for more information but there was no time. We needed to get aboard the elevator and get to the surface.
Chapter 11
The plan was a simple one.
Especially for a man who longed to get back to the surface and currently flew by the seat of his pants. I had a dame at my side who wanted to get back to her daughter as well. And that, my friends, is the key ingredient to any plan.
A man can be the mightiest of the strong. And you give me a woman that holds his affections and watch the destruction that follows. A good woman will bring the strongest man to his knees and I believe that theory is backed by thousands of years of history.
They'd given up the search for me, according to Sarah, who'd overhead the radio traffic from one of the soldier's radios. Still, I believed they would be in a heightened state of attention. We needed to be careful.
I had a single handgun beneath my stolen white lab jacket and Sarah had both the clearance and the will to live. It was time to put our plan into effect.
I watched from a small window of her office, preparing to assume the role of trainee should someone enter. Our plan hinged on the changing of the guards, which Sarah noted happened every twelve hours. We had three minutes to go.
Sure enough, two soldiers began down a set of long steel steps in order to relieve the two that were posted furthest from us, at the other end of the vast floor space. We'd gambled they were smokers, based on Sarah's intelligence. She was right.
Not even a minute after the posted guards had left in relief, the two new faces eased themselves over to a door which led outside. It was a small, unmarked door. Sarah said that it led to a catwalk on the face of the mountain and I honestly didn't give a damn. As long as it led them away.
"We've got about five minutes." Sarah said as the door shut behind them.
A single guard posted at the door which housed this evil computer, one that I wanted to bash in with the butt of my pistol. The guard had a keen eye for Sarah. Meanwhile, two heavily armed men guarded the elevator that could ultimately lead us to freedom - or peril, as neither of us knew exactly what we'd be walking into after taking it.
We made our way out of her small office, appearing as official as we could. We headed straight over to the guards posted at the elevator and according to our plan, Sarah would small talk them for a moment, which she did.
Immediately, she turned and walked away - crying. I could see the concern for her all over the third guard's face as his expression completely changed. He wanted to run to her, but, as with most men, did what he could to hold onto his sanity. Sarah hadn't asked for his help.
Until she did.
I would have given her an Emmy Award based on her performance. At first, she began rambling off in English to appear shaken. Then, Sarah began speaking to the guard who fancied her in his own language. She would go on to tell him that one of the posted guards had spoken to her in a very crude manner. A fact that did not sit well with him.
He was to be protecting the Third Reich's most valuable computer - but what was there to steal exactly? While it was an endless databank of information, it's not as if people were trying to push their way in to see it.
Immediately he left his post. Moving with authority as he approached the two posted guards. I could see friendship in the eyes of all of the men, but how many times throughout history has friendship taken a backseat in the name of love?
He began confronting the accused guard, who, by his actions, was denying everything to the letter. Sarah cried harder - accusing the man herself, while seeming like nothing more than a helpless victim in the matter.
It was all of the opening I needed.
Taking a deep breath, I only hoped that God above would forgive me for my actions. Thou shalt not kill. But in this case, I had no choice in the matter.
I pulled my handgun on the third guard, who watched the event unfold, and splattered his brains against the wall. There was no pleading about it - he never even saw the gun. Quickly, I turned and fired three more shots into the torso of the man who'd been accused. Rendering him completely lifeless.
"Not him," Sarah begged. "He's truly a good man."
I wanted to end his life as well, but needed her help. So instead, I motioned to the floor with a few dips of my handgun. The guard looked stunned, but held his hands out and began laying down without incident.
By now, the two chain-smoking guards were hurrying back in to see what in the hell was going on.
"Sarah, now would be the time."
I could see them rushing our way and fired a single shot into their direction. Just to give them something to think about. You'd be amazed how it slowed their run.
Sarah slid her card across the elevator's digital readout and without a hitch, the doors began to open. This plan was going to work! She quickly made her way inside and I backed in a bit more slowly, watching the approaching guards as well as the man who lay on the floor with disbelief.
As the doors began to slide closed, I caught sight of something that would destroy every bit of excitement inside of my soul.
A large set of guards were ushering Tara into the large area by gunpoint. She'd not made the journey home, but instead been captured.
I cried out for her, but it was too late!
How had the bastards found her? Had Tara not ran like I had told her to do? They had gotten her while searching for me, I was sure of it.
I pounded my fists on the elevator doors as hard as I possibly could...to no effect. They weren't going to budge. I grabbed hold of a small window near the top of the elevator and began pulling myself up.
It wasn't large enough to crawl through. Not even a child could have fit into the hole with any hopes of making it back out of the elevator. Besides, I had a single bullet in my sidearm. What could I have possibly done?
I did manage to look out just long enough to confirm that it was Tara and she was still alive. For now, anyway.
Shortly after making it up to the window, th
e elevator burst its way from a standstill position and vaulted me to the floor with a thud. I wanted to get back to my feet, but couldn't. The speed in which the elevator traveled was horrific and the mere gravity of it pressed me against the floor like a small toy. Sarah huddled into one of the corners and covered her face with her arms. This is not how I'd planned our escape.
Chapter 12
The ride back to the surface had been egregious.
Much worse than the ride down, if memory had served me correct. My stomach was beside itself and rumbled like a cold-natured car in the deep freeze of a North Carolina winter. Thank God I'd had enough wherewithal to tuck the sidearm into my pants before making the journey, as it took both hands to hold myself in place during the upward thrust of our return trip.
While the elevator had stopped, my stomach didn't. After a few seconds, I found it within myself to stand. I helped Sarah to her feet and prepared for whatever awaited us. Demonic dogs? Zombies, perhaps?
I pressed the single green button and the elevator's door opened slowly. Revealing what appeared to be the inside of a very quiet building.
It wasn't cold steel, like we'd seen on the walls of the hell bunker that we'd nearly been killed in down below. This was a regular building. I immediately thought of a decent hotel, minus the guests roaming the halls.
"We should have one minute or so," Sarah said. "After that, they'll be able to call for the elevator."
I waited for her to step out onto the red carpeted floor and then I took aim - firing my last shot, I blew the green call button and anything behind it all to hell. And then I tossed the handgun to the floor and began following Sarah through the hallway.
I had nothing but a knife, but what did it matter either way? If there was a large presence of soldiers here, we were as good as dead anyway. But to our surprise we saw no one. Maybe after all of this shit luck I'd finally hit a streak of good fortune.
We made our way to what we believed was the front door. It was hard to tell, honestly. There were no windows or placards to tell us otherwise. Drawing in a deep breath, I was the one who finally opened the door.
What we saw left us speechless.
There was an entire city laying right before us and we were on one of its busiest streets. But having spotted the Empire State Building towering high above everything else, I realized exactly where we were.