Captain Viktor stroked the black rubber coating of the conning bridge and listened to the battery banks whirring as they reached 17 knots. He watched the bow as the sleek vessel cut through the water, and he looked back in anger at the land and black plumes of smoke in the distance. Hearing the rumble of explosions as the Allies pounded the nearby town, he thought, this is truly a magnificent vessel. With a fleet of these *Elektrobootes we could have won the war.
He took off his cap to let the sea breeze blow across his head and looked at the gauges.
Seven fathoms, sir, said the Dive Officer over the intercom.
Very wellPrepare to dive the boat and level out at four metres, ordered the Captain.
Yes sir, said the Dive Officer and repeated the order to the control crew.
Open main vents, rig out bow planes, and set down ten degrees, ordered the Captain.
A sudden bustle of motion signalled the crews compliance.
Bow planes set, sir, confirmed the Dive Officer.
The Captain then gave the order.
Dive the boat!
Sirens wailed to alert the occupants that the U-boat was submerging. With plumes of water whooshing out of the ballast tanks, the Captain left the conning tower, closed the hatch behind him, and went down into the hot, cramped control room. He realised that they were transporting human cargo along with looted treasure, but unsure of whom.
The Captain hung on to the periscope until the U-Boat levelled off at four metres and then he went to check the gauges.
Hans came into the control room, sneering, as he smelled sweat and grease in the noisy confined section, he handed the Captain a sealed envelope.
Here are your orders! he snapped as the Captain opened the envelope and read its contents.
Its signed by the Füehrer, said Hans, glaring at the Captain, who after reading his instructions knew that his vessel would no longer have any contact with the outside world.
The war-weary commander looked at Hans and then gave orders to the control room crew.
Helmsman, starboard 15, steer 3-5-Zero. Down planes ten degrees, make our depth 15 metres.
The helmsman repeated the order aloud and eased forward on the helm control.
The Captain smirked as Kruger lost his balance and grabbed onto a hot metal pipe, wincing as the boat made a gentle descent. Captain Viktor went to the U-boats intercom and ordered all officers to the wardroom. He went to his chart table, took out charts of their destination, and he and Hans Kruger left the control room, passing two SS soldiers in the communications cabin removing the U-boats radio.
The Elektroboote angled down, gliding under the cold grey North Sea.
*In Appendix
Type XXs U-boats were also known as Elektroboote and the first submarines designed to operate entirely submerged.
2
If you want to shine like the sun, first you have to burn like it.
Ryan rushed over, shook the Keepers shoulders, and looking into his glazed eyes, yelled, Church, Church are you okay?
Church squinted at Ryan and then around the room. He wiped vomit from around his mouth with his hand as his faculties returned. Composing himself, but appearing unaware of his surroundings, he put his cluttered desk in order.
Ryan stood back and watched as colour returned to Churchs ashen face and he stopped trembling. When Church appeared to be back to his normal self, Ryan said, That was a powerful one boss. Pinky and I felt it in the living room.
Church coughed as he focused on Ryan, and with a quake in his voice, replied, That was the worst experience and the most powerful spirit that I have ever encountered.
Ryan frowned as he glared at the mess in the portal room, Who was it? he asked.
The answer never came. The door swung open and a woman in her twenties with short blonde hair entered the room carrying two mugs. She went over to Church and Ryan.
Are you okay, Church? Pinky asked, sounding concerned as she handed both men a mug of tea and said, Here drink this.
Thanks, but I need something stronger than tea, Pinky, said Church, his hands trembling as he took the mug.
I know, so I put a drop of Johnny Walker in it, Pinky replied and smiled.
Great! exclaimed Ryan, who after slurping his tea winced
Duh, not for you dopey, said Pinky and chuckled. She then saw something in the corner of the room and gasped.
Church took a drink of his beverage. He felt the whisky hitting the back of his throat and caressing his oesophagus as it eased down, giving him a warm glow. Church exhaled, picked up his notepad, glanced at it, and then replaced it on the desk. Ryan picked up the pad.
Pinky went to the sink, brought over a damp flannel, and wiped Churchs face, while Ryan looked at Churchs notes and scratched his chin.
The PATH team gathered around Churchs desk with items strewn about the top, resembling the aftermath of a drunken Saturday night brawl.
After clearing his throat, Church said, Right, team. It looks like we have our next assignment.
Church righted his overturned laptop, checked it was okay, turned it on, and entered a password.
Look, it scorched the wall, said Pinky, pointing to the corner wall. And looking at you boss, it did more than that, you look terrified. We knew it was serious after the air got cold before it felt sucked out of the living room, she said, scowling.
So who was it? Ryan asked, and smirked, adding, Ooh, is there lots of lovely treasure to be had, and why did you write your spirit notes in German? I cant understand them.
Anybody we know? Pinky asked.
Granny Pearl never came, did she? I cant smell Brussels sprouts, said Ryan and then looked confused, I cant smell anything.
Church took another slurp of his drink and with a quake in his voice said, No Ryan, you wont smell anything with this spirit. He shuddered, took a deep breath, and continued, And to answer your questions, then Yes, I imagine theres a great deal of treasure, and no, Granny Pearl never appeared and thats whats scares me.
Church leaned forward and typed on the laptop keypad.
And the answers to your other question. Church quivered, and said, This individual was German, and do we know him? Oh, most definitely.
Church paused as a face appeared on his laptop screen. He turned the computer screen around so that Ryan and Pinky could view the image and continued, We all know of him. The entire world knew this character, who, according to Grandpa Jack was a bloody menace.
Pinky and Ryan gasped when they stared at the image on the screen.
Church frowned and announced, I can sense you both feel troubled. I am scared after my encounter with this powerful spirit. Pinky and Ryan heard the nervousness in Churchs voice as they glared at the image in disbelief while Church studied his notes and scribbled certain portions of his text in English on another notepad. Ryan broke the silence.
I dont understand boss, why now? He pointed to the screen and continued. Hes been dead for over 60 years.
Church looked up from his notes, leaned forward and said, It was not only the fact of whom or what this individual was that worries me. He tapped the face on the screen and continued, We also need to be concerned about the recipient.
Church looked up from his notes, leaned forward and said, It was not only the fact of whom or what this individual was that worries me. He tapped the face on the screen and continued, We also need to be concerned about the recipient.
Church slid his notepad over and showed a name he had circled on his notes to the inquisitive Pinky and Ryan.
There was a stunned silence as Pinky and Ryan stared at the screen and the name on the notepad.
Pinky leant forward, pointed at the screen, and asked, Whats the connection and how was that possible?
I dont know, thats what we need to find out, said Church tapping his fingers on the desk.
Church then frowned and through pierced lips told them, This was not the first time one of these demons came to this portal. Still shaking, he glanced at the pentagram painted on the wooden floor in the corner of the room and said, I know of an encounter we had with a Diabolus at our portal centuries ago and a more recent encounter with another Diabolus in the spirit world years ago, which I believe was the same one that I just met.
Puzzled, Ryan frowned and asked, Whats a Diabolus?
I will explain later, said Church, who went to the safe, took out a thick ancient leather-bound book, came back over, and placed it on the desk. Let me decipher all my notes and read the journal again, said Church, opening the book and searching through the brittle pages for the relevant section.
I am not happy with this one, boss. Something doesnt feel right. Do we have to take the assignment? Ryan asked, fidgeting and looking at Pinky.
Perhaps a cheese and ham sandwich would help, smiled Pinky, trying to lighten the mood, knowing that Ryan would do anything if the reward involved food.
Oh, well why didnt you say that before? chuckled Ryan, When do we start? he asked, with nervousness he tried to disguise.
Church looked at his team. After this powerful encounter and knowing what it was, he felt scared. He knew from the journal the dangers of any encounter with a Diabolus, and after what hed just experienced, did not want to put them in harms way. Even though they looked calm, Church sensed fear in the pair and realised that none of them were ready for an assignment of this magnitude. He closed the book, leant on the desk, smiled, and announced, Okay, we wont take this case.
Phew, Pinky sighed with relief.
Although pleased with Churchs decision, Ryan had a niggling doubt and asked, Can we do that?
Church reply never came, as a flickering blue flame filled the corner of the room along with a familiar aroma and, sniffing the air, Ryan announced. I smell Brussels sprouts, Granny Pearls here.
3
Things are not always right because they are hard, but if they are right one must not mind if they are also hard.
The PATH team lived in a 16th Century thatched-roofed cottage built in a clearing within a dense woodland area of Clifton Moor, close to York city. This secluded cottage belonged to Churchill Potts junior, who inherited it from his grandparents, Pearl and Jack Potts. The cottage had been in the Potts family for generations and although this quaint old cottage appeared like something from a Brothers Grimm folktale; it held a remarkable secret.
* * *
During the mid-sixteenth century, a wealthy Englishman, Robert Potts, had the cottage built at a specific secluded location. This was ideal for Robert and his family and perfect for the inhabitants of the surrounding towns and villages. The townsfolk felt certain Robert was a Warlock, so the further away he was, the better.
With England in turmoil after the civil war ended and after they beheaded Charles I, a Cromwell-controlled protectorate government, one with deep puritanical beliefs, now ran the country. The English people felt terrified and confused. This fear paved the way for a government-backed religious crusade to rid the country of those considered heretics, so witches and warlocks became an indoctrinated terror. This fear led to the formation of the Witch Finders. These individuals scoured the country on high government salaries, flushing out evil forces that allegedly manifested into human form.
Robert was from a wealthy and respectable family. He had fought during the English civil war as an infantry officer in Oliver Cromwells Roundheads. His father was a minister at York Abbey, and after witnessing many bloody battles, Robert knew he wanted to follow his fathers example and serve God within the clergy. He returned to York after the war ended when he was seventeen. His father used his influence to push his son through the ranks to a junior ministerial position within York Abbey. Robert had suffered headaches throughout his childhood and heard incoherent voices when nobody was there, especially on the battlefield. Unable to understand why, and afraid to seek advice for fear of being accused of being cursed, he ignored it. Robert was a handsome young man but his ashen complexion gave him a ghostly appearance.
Everything changed on his eighteenth birthday when his headaches became severe and the voices became louder, although still a myriad of sounds, he heard cries for help and could sense despair. Everybody now seemed bathed in a white light, apart from him, who glowed with the colours of the rainbow. This terrified Robert and convinced he was a warlock, feared for his life. Robert altered overnight, becoming reclusive and no longer attending the clergy or fulfilled his duties, spending his time in his room alone which disturbed his respectable parents.
Robert went out most evenings, strolling along smoggy, cobbled city streets of York, amongst the hustle and bustle of street vendors, entertainers, and taverns. Although different from his sheltered religious upbringing, the streets seemed to beckon him. He knew he would find something there, but did not know what.
It was on one of these nightly excursions when he met Elizabeth cooking at a small street vendors stall,
Can I tempt you to some lovely tripe and onions, Robert? She smiled.
What! exclaimed Robert, taken aback how she knew his name, as he had never laid eyes on the girl before. Robert saw a crimson aura surrounding her and realised that she was also different.
Robert returned to her stall every night to see the pretty brunette with rosy cheeks that seemed to glow against her pale skin. Elizabeth instigated the courtship and asked him to take her out, which in those days was unheard of, and she could have ended up in prison or far worse. Robert became intrigued and besotted with Elizabeth, who was almost 19-years-old.
We are special my love. Shed told Robert. We are Chosen-ones, and when we find our portal, thou will be the Keeper, and I will be thy Guide.
This always confused Robert, but he accepted her strange behaviour because he was in love and wanted to marry Elizabeth. His parents wouldnt give their consent to this union until Robert announced Elizabeth was pregnant. His parent, although outraged, went ahead with the marriage with it being inconceivable to have a child out of wedlock. Not only would it have destroyed the familys reputation but also they didnt want to upset Roberts uncle, as this man terrified people. His uncle was Mathew Hopkins, known throughout England as the Witch Finder General. Robert and Elizabeth married straight away and lived in a cobblestone cottage on his parents estate.
Elizabeth, now seven months pregnant, looked radiant, and Robert looked forward to the birth of their first child.