Skorzenzy

SKORZENZY

The four were staring at the chair as if it contained a mystical brilliance of the past. Yes, the seal of the president was authentic. Yes, the trappings of red paint or lipstick were prominently visible against the highly-polished black leather. Would this be proof enough to vindicate or crucify the sitting president of the time? Would he be reindicted for lying before Congress, or better yet, could the evidence be used by opponents of the Democratic Party and prove their allegations? Maybe the evidence could be used (if verified) to spawn a new trilogy of past presidents and their sexual escapades in the White House. The cast was there. FDR, JFK, LBJ and now WJC. Too bad they weren’t all alive. It would make a great reality show for FOX. Hell, they might do it anyway.

Abdul was seriously considering all the above. “Guys, wouldn’t it be cool if we could prove what we’re looking at? I mean, think of the book deals, films and speeches we could give. We wouldn’t have to work for years.” For once, Abdul made sense. Of course, everyone was waiting for some type of Star Trek reference, but they were pleasantly disappointed.

“We have the rest of our lives to work. I don’t know about you guys, but I would much rather travel the country on someone else’s dime and have a blast doing it. We would probably be able to milk this gig for a good year, if not two. And the best part is that I could return to Highland Park, look up my old tutor Jason, and raise some serious hell at SMU.” The idea put his mind in overdrive.

Not waiting for responses, he continued mapping out their futures. “Think about all the chicks, Larry. They would be standing in line for us. Everyone would want a piece of fame.” That was it. Abdul was doing well, until he decided fame and fortune would allow vast opportunities to have any woman he wanted.

“Abdul,” interjected Judith, “even with fame and fortune, your odds of getting laid by a real woman will remain the same; one hundred times ten to the minus 100th power.”

“Don’t be so sure about that, Judith.” Muki flicked her black orbs towards Abdul, remembering a night not so long ago. “It could be his ticket to unknown pleasures.”

Judith ignored her thought and redirected her focus. “Okay, the machine works. I think we need to take it to the next level.”

Larry’s eyes narrowed. His brow became wrinkled as he comprehended the next step. “Judith, are you seriously considering having one of us travel back in time?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the reply was a concise. “Yes.”

Larry was afraid she’d say yes. He, like Abdul and Muki, was acutely aware of her personality change in the last few hours. Judith was always overwrought and highly strung, yet since the team started examining and learning the intricacies of the machine, her attitude had turned for the worse. It was much more intense and focused. It was almost as if she were hiding something from her past, which streamed to the surface. Why now? What was driving her? It was time for a meeting of the minds.

* * *

If my plan works, the children will need these.

Skorzenzy removed a key from his pocket and unlocked the locker door. Inside, was one gravitational suit he’d meticulously kept clean and maintained over the years. Next to the actual machine, the suits were his crowning achievement. They weighed no more than five pounds each and easily fit over street clothes. He learned from the experiments in Waxahachie that in order to survive time travel of any type, special clothing must be developed to handle the immense magnetic g-forces the body would be subjected to. The key to survival was in deflecting the magnetic forces away from the body to avoid being crushed. He performed this by reversing the properties of electricity. The suits were charged with negative ions by a small, portable battery which fed thousands of tiny fiber optic branches. The negative energy surrounded the user, protecting them from the crushing magnetic forces.

He gingerly removed two of the pearly-white suits, closed the locker door, and proceeded to the hidden door.

* * *

“Have you lost your mind? Did you not see the chair spinning around in the chamber? There is no way in hell I’m going to be a guinea pig and risk my life.”

Judith threw a very mean glare at Abdul. “No one is asking you to do shit. Do you think I would consider yourself for such an important experiment? As I said earlier, you’d have better luck with a blow-up doll than a real woman. This is much too important a mission for the likes of you.” Her voice was rising. Larry decided it was time for a cooler mind.

“Judith, lay off Abdul. No one said anything about us actually transporting ourselves back in time. The risks are too high. I agree with Abdul. We have no idea what type of forces the machine emits.” He knew she wasn’t listening; he knew she was looking at him, but her eyes were somewhere else. A place he needed to find. A place that was filling all of her thoughts.

“We don’t know if the molecular structure of the chair went through a transformation. It appears to be whole, but is it?” His question caught a small glimmer in her eyes. “What if one of us is successful in traveling back in time only to reappear in a pile of indiscernible goo, or worse, never come back at all? Abdul and Muki have more experience with these studies than I do. Muki, is it possible to return in one piece or will we be scattered across the universe?”

Abdul took the lead. “I don’t know. It’s possible we could return whole—”

“Or we could have our atoms rearranged to the point we could be alive and dead at the same time. The physics is very complex. From what I’ve read, the gravitational forces generated would crush the human form before it was ever transported. A human would need—”

No one heard him enter the room or approach them. The voice was clear, yet worn. “A suit to properly protect the fragile human body.”

Four sets of eyes turned to find the voice.

“And you would be?” probed Larry.

“Professor Leonoid Rostov Skorzenzy, at your service.”

Larry gave the so-called professor a quick once-over, attempting to decide if this really were the man responsible for the machine. “How do we know that? You could be one of the night caretakers making sure nothing bad happens.” Leonoid ignored the comment.

“My dear son, do you think a common caretaker would have designed the power system for this machine?” His comment was sarcastic and flippant. He walked past the other three, moving straight up to Judith. “My dear, since you seem to be the only true believer here, this suit will allow you to travel to a different dimension with no harm to your beautiful young body.” Even Skorzenzy was taken aback by her figure. Her eyes immediately transfixed on the suit. She reached out to grab it, but was stopped as Larry grabbed her arm.

“Not so fast, Judith. I have some more questions for the good professor.”

“Of course you do, son.” His voice recognized Larry. His body language did not. “What would you like to know?” As Larry formulated a question, the professor continued. “Please follow me back to the office. Being of advanced age and the government seeing fit to remove all the sitting furniture, there is only one comfortable chair for a man of my age.” He didn’t wait for an answer. He placed the suits on one of the empty metal desks and departed to his office. “Coming, children?” Judith followed like a puppy being tempted with a treat. Larry, Muki, and Abdul held back for a few moments.

“I don’t like him,” commented Abdul.

“He’s hiding something,” said Muki.

“I know, I know. I don’t trust him either, but what choice do we have? We could leave right now, but Judith isn’t about to go. I gather you’ve noticed the strange look in her eyes? She’s not leaving until whatever is possessing her is released. So, I suggest we play along, for the moment, and see what happens.” The other two agreed and followed Larry towards the office.

When they entered the room, Skorzenzy was sitting in front of the 10000 which was up and running. Judith was perched to his right watching the screen as it flashed through the files the professor was scanning. “See my child, it’s perfectly safe, and with help I can—”

“Can what, Professor? You can what?” Leonoid was not pleased with Larry’s interruption of his mini lecture. His eyes never left the screen.

“I can…” realizing his almost poor choice of words he recanted. “We can correct the errors of history and save millions of lives. That’s what we can do.”

“With all due respect, Professor,” chided Larry, “I don’t believe that’s a wise course at all. I’m of the opinion we should leave the past alone, and concentrate on the present.”

“Young man, you are correct. Tampering with history is a taboo taught us since the invention of generating electricity. Many felt allowing light and telephone service were the doings of the Devil himself. Granted, there have been a few liberties taken with the technology, but overall, how would our world work without them? Imagine not being able to call anyone you wanted to—instantly. Imagine a world without light. Imagine waiting weeks or even months to hear of a loved one’s passing? My son, I’m not suggesting we completely change history, but rather, modify it a bit.”

At no time did Skorzenzy look at Larry. His subject was Judith. He could feel her passion for the project. It exuded from her pores. Her eyes never left his as he weaved his pompous, self-serving explanation to Larry and the others.

“Professor, I stick with my original position. I cannot see where anything good could come from such an adventure.” Skorzenzy was becoming irritated with Larry’s interference.

“My son—”

The words were direct and hard. “Professor, please stop referring to me as your son. I have my own father.”

“I apologize for the slight, Larry. I meant no harm. What if we could go back and visit the past in order to unravel unanswered questions. As you can see from the chair, the questions concerning infidelity in the White House are sitting, no pun intended, right in front of you. Does that not interest you in the least?” His tactic was working. Instead of pushing Larry to accept his idea, he was coming around, with curiosity, via the back door.

“Well, yes. That is interesting but still—”

“But nothing. You have the proof to correct the mistakes and misgivings of the event. If handled properly, no real harm would come to the president of the time. It would make a good story and possibly line your pockets with a dollar or two.” Abdul was now extremely interested as this was his line of thinking.

“Yes!” shouted Abdul. “We would be sought out for our expert knowledge and firsthand evidence of the dastardly deed. Well, at least his wife thought it was. See Larry, we could take the past and cash in. We wouldn’t really have to work for years. Think of it as an extended vacation.” He was starting to side with the professor.

“Abdul, I’m still not convinced.” Larry looked to Muki for confirmation. She remained silent, as did Judith.

The thought of traveling back and correcting the mistakes of the past was foremost in Judith’s mind. She would do anything to eliminate the family’s tainted genealogy. Her great-grandfather must die. He was a member of the most vile regime history ever chronicled. Yes, the Romans, the Russians, and the Persians all retained a portion of rape, pillage and death, but nothing on the scale or the efficiency her great-grandfather purported. The deliberate and intentional elimination of humans—based on birthright and sexual preference—was disgusting and repugnant. She knew if she were allowed to travel back and eliminate him, she would not exist. It would be a small price to pay if it meant millions of people were allowed to live their lives in peace.

“Professor, I’m still leery of delving into the past. Abdul might be correct in that we could cash in on the past and avoid permanent employment for a time, but we would still be tempting fate, wouldn’t we?

“My so…excuse me, Larr—” His words were drowned out as Judith broke out of her trance.

“Larry, shut the fuck up. Okay? Just shut the FUCK UP! Are you so ignorant you’re unable to grasp what’s sitting in front us?” Her eyes bored deep into his. He could feel them probing his soul for an answer.

“Whether you agree with the professor or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is saving millions of lives from being exterminated by the will of a few men. It is our duty to travel back and eliminate those who will stain the records of mankind for centuries. This is not a choice; it is a mission which we must pursue and fulfill. Who gives a fuck what people think? They will think less, once they find out we possess the means to correct the past.” Sweat slid down her temples as she ranted.

Her outburst didn’t come as a shock to her friends. Since the start-up of the machine, her temper and persona were sharp and unforgiving. What intrigued Larry the most, was the passion in which she ripped his ass. Whatever he detected was about to come bubbling out of her. He needed to find out what it was. Knowing her rant would probably escalate rapidly, he had to know. He needed to know what burned inside of her.

“Judith, those are the remarks of an unstable incoherent woman. Are you,” he bit his tongue knowing the comment would unleash a sleeping volcano, “PMSing again?” The look in her eye answered his question. She was going to explode as they’d never seen before.

“PMS? You think I’m on the rag or something?” She walked right up to Larry, toe-to-toe, invading his personal space. He took a few steps backwards attempting to escape. No luck. The room was too small as she cornered him against the wall. She moved in for the kill.

“PMS? You have no idea what you’re talking about!” she raged. “Did your family kill millions of innocent people? Did they deliberately slaughter thousands just because they didn’t like the way they looked? Well, did they? You sniveling pile of shit! Did they? Answer me, dammit, ANSWER ME!”

Larry did his best to regain his composure in hopes of saying something to calm the situation. “Judith—”

“Shut up, you idiot. Do you know what it’s like to carry the burden of a tainted family history? Have you any idea what it’s like to wake up every day and realize who your ancestors are? Do you ever wish you hadn’t been born, knowing the evil hidden in your genealogy? Do you?” The strength of her voice started fading as her pent-up past poured forth. Tears were pouring from her eyes as she faced the other three. “How would you feel knowing your great-grandfather was part of the largest mass murder in history?” Her eyes fell to the ground.

Muki took a few steps towards Judith, making sure she didn’t enter her personal space. She extended her right hand and grabbed Judith’s sweat-covered left arm. “Judith, what is it? What are you so ashamed of?”

Judith slowly raised her head, looking into Muki’s face. “Martin Bormann. Martin Bormann is my great-grandfather.” The shame of the words creased in her face.

“My great-grandfather was the personal secretary to…” Her words trailed off covered in sobs and tears.

“Adolf Hitler,” finished Larry. “My God, your great-grandfather was part of the Third Reich. Judith, I didn’t—”

She wiped the tears from her face. “No one knew. It wasn’t something I wanted to advertise.”

Skorzenzy did his best to offer solace. He knew she would help him if he helped her. He also knew it wouldn’t be wise to jump right in and send her back to avenge the family name. No, they would take this one step at a time.

“My child, what a burden you have carried in your short years. I too have a somewhat tainted past when it comes to that terrible time in mankind’s history.” He waited to see if his words were registering. He hoped she would have at least nodded her head; instead she kept close to Muki.

“My father was also in the war.”

Muki was the first to make the apparent connection. She inquisitively raised her eyes to hear the professor out.

“History doesn’t paint a very favorable opinion of our ancestors who fought for their country and leaders. Instead of studying and detailing the brave men who fought to correct the ills of the Versailles Treaty, it concentrates on the worst the Third Reich conceived—persecution, systematic death and vengeance.”

Muki was particularly interested in the history lesson. Larry and Abdul were showing remote interest. Larry couldn’t identify the feeling welling up, but he feared the professor was delivering a sales pitch aimed at Judith.

“Professor.” Larry’s words were short and sarcastic. “Would you have us believe that what Adolf Hitler and his henchmen performed was somehow noble?”

“Dear boy—”

“Professor, I’m not your dear boy—”

“My apologies Larry, I meant no harm.” Larry was going to be the one he would carefully have to move into his court, or else he might need to somehow isolate him from the group. His judgmental attitude could possibly unravel his plans. “No, I’m not condoning what a few fanatical lunatics were responsible for. I’m merely stating there were great minds of military genius and science produced during the war. Look at the technical advancement of the human race during the sixteen short years of the Third Reich. The world went from simple wooden planes to jet engines. We harnessed the atom. We made space flight possible. Never in the annals of history did the world change so rapidly in such a short time.”

Larry studied the facts for a minute, as did Muki. Muki spoke in the hope that Larry would listen a little longer. She needed to quench her curiosity.

“Professor, what you say is true. Nothing can be refuted, but look at the cost. Do you think the victims in London are pleased the V2 resulted in space travel becoming a reality?” Her question was justified without damaging the professor’s ego.

“My child, excuse me, Muki, yes, there was much tragedy and death associated with the construction of the weapon. I’m not so naïve as to think only of its initial purpose.” Caught up in the moment, or recalling the brilliance of the brilliant German scientists, he failed to heed his next words. “We were the masters—”

“We?” queried Muki. Her question aroused suspicion with her friends. They were all (including Judith) taking a very disturbing interest in his remarks.

“Excuse me, a slip of the tongue. I meant to say they, the men under Van Braun were men of great genius. Think of the final months of the war. Were the Allies and Russians truly advancing rapidly to end the reign of the Nazi Germany? Yes and no. The real prize wasn’t a land laid to waste by continual bombing; it was the men who devised the weapons. That was the real prize. Jet propulsion, synthetic fuels, rocket technology and stealth planes. That was the prize. Instead of starting to rebuild a decimated country from the ravages of war, the Allies plundered Germany of their most prized possession—knowledge.”

Everything Skorzenzy said was true. Muki knew this. It would be years before the British, Canadians, French and Americans would start assessing the damage and pass the Marshall Plan. But before that, they were more concerned with rounding up the most coveted prize—scientists. The Russians were doing the same, along with stripping what would become East Germany of her manufacturing base and sending it back to the “Motherland.”

“Professor, I agree with the synopsis. Yet, you also addressed military genius. Could you elaborate a bit more?” She scanned her memory banks and knew the question that could unlock her suspicions. “When you speak of military commanders, are you referring to Guderian, Halder, Rommel or Skorzenzy?”

The last name sparked immense curiosity among her associates, especially Judith. The look in the professor’s eyes answered her question, but she needed everyone to hear the answer. She continued probing a little deeper.

“Professor, I’m curious about three events I’ve studied in depth: the airborne invasion of Crete, the abduction and freeing of Mussolini and finally, the first units to offer organized resistance to Operation Market Garden and the Commando group codenamed ‘Operation Grief.’”

Her friends were stunned with the directness of her question. They knew she was moving towards a common goal, but weren’t sure how. The professor knew exactly where she was going. Only a student of history would link those major events to one man—his father, Otto Skorzenzy.

“My child,” he made no apologies this time. “You are well versed in the annals of history. Someday, I should meet your instructors and thank them for producing such an astute prodigy.” He did nothing to evade her inquisition. He could have weaved a deceptive scenario deflecting attention from his past, but that would accomplish nothing. Rather, it would raise more questions and suspicions, which would be counterproductive to his agenda.

“You are correct in your connections. I will not address each question individually as the answer will result with the same answer. You are referring to my father, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Waffen-SS, Otto Skorzenzy. I am proud to say his name, but with caution. He did what any man in his position would do, he—”

Judith was fully alert and not in a good way.

“Your father was part of the Third Reich? If so, then he is just as responsible as my great-grandfather for perpetuating this horrible injustice on humanity.ˮ The fire faded from her voice. “What I wouldn’t do to go back and rewrite this page of history.”

Yes, my dear, what would you give to go back and turn the clock? With a little more encouragement, she will be an excellent ally.

“I agree with your assessment one-hundred percent, my child. Imagine if we could eliminate the politicians of the time, and spend our energies and resources on science and research alone. Think of how far the world would have advanced while saving (not that he cared for the millions of lives snuffed out) countless lives, and moving mankind forward in a positive and humanitarian way.” His oration was rapidly sinking in on Judith. Not so with the other three.

“Professor,” asked Larry, “If you are so touched by the evilness of the Third Reich and the crimes committed against humanity, why do you speak so proudly of your father? Wasn’t he convicted of war crimes and treason for his part in the war?” As the professor assessed the accusation, he was rescued by an unexpected soul.

Muki knew Otto Skorzenzy had escaped capture awaiting his de-nazification trial. He was never officially charged with treason for wearing stolen American uniforms during “The Battle of The Bulge.”

“That’s not true, Larry. Skorzenzy was exonerated of the charges when it became known that the British were fighting behind the lines wearing German uniforms. He went on to live out his life, not actually on the run, but keeping a rather low profile with the help of the ODESSA organization. The only crime he really committed during the war was fighting for his country and his beliefs.”

Muki wasn’t pleased to be supporting his stance, but the facts and history were clear on his part. He fought as any soldier would have for his country. “Professor, you would be correct. The charges against him were never pursued, and yes, he was allowed to live out his life ‘under the radar’, free from his accusers. But once he escaped the hangman's noose, he dropped out of sight. How did a man of such prominence become a ghost? ”

“Wonderful, little girl. I couldn’t have stated the facts any more clearly. Thank you for helping an old man out.”

“Professor, I’m not attempting to corroborate your story, I’m only stating the historical facts.”

His tone was cold and condescending. He needed to keep Judith engaged and keep Muki off balance. She might inadvertently stumble upon some facts she wasn't aware of. “Yes, yes, child. However, let us return our attention to the issues at hand.” He stared deep into Judith’s soul. She responded by raising up her head and locking onto the professor’s gaze. “What if we could travel back to say, 1938, and eliminate Hitler and his henchmen?”

Muki didn’t care for the direction Skorzenzy was plotting.

“Professor—” Her words were rapidly cut off as Skorzenzy tired of their debate.

“Are you so naïve not to understand what we can achieve? Are you willing to let millions upon millions of innocent people die because you feel some moral obligation to allow the events of history to remain unchecked? Or maybe you are satisfied with the killings of millions to achieve the goals of fools?” This was an argument Muki would have a hard time winning.

“Professor, I’m only stating that—”

“Enough,” interrupted Judith. “ Muki, that’s enough. You have no family shame to contend with. You have no idea what it means to carry the burden of the past upon your shoulders. The professor and I do. We live it every day we look in the mirror. It surrounds us as would a choking fog. It’s always there. It never goes away, no matter how many times you blink your eyes and wish it away. You wake every morning seeing the past.”

Skorzenzy had her. She was one-hudnred percent on board with the suggestion, but he wasn’t going to interject just yet. Let her continue to speak, and maybe she could convince Muki and Abdul it was a mission worthy to pursue. Larry, hopefully, would fall in line. If not? Well, let’s see what happens.

Judith was emphatic and determined. “Professor, I’m in! It’s time to cleanse the evils of the Third Reich from the pages of history. It’s time!”

“Excellent, my child, excellent. Anyone else feel the same as she?” His question hung in the thick air.

Larry nodded his head in disagreement. Abdul said nothing. Muki liked the idea, yet she still held reservations, but if they could go back, maybe her ancestors who perished in 1945 when the United States firebombed Tokyo, could also be saved. “Professor, I’ll agree to the proposal on a few conditions.”

Skorzenzy was inwardly ecstatic with her changing views. “Yes, go ahead.”

“We need to properly test the machine. One of us needs to go back in time to verify the machine works. I suggest we go back to Dallas, Texas, November 22, 1963.”

Skorzenzy wasn’t pleased with the suggested date. He knew what happened and why it happened. The conspiracy theorists were correct that Oswald didn’t act alone, but the true culprit wasn’t the AFL/CIO, or the mob bosses who lost millions when Castro came to power; it was a combination of forces, plus one no one ever imagined. He calculated the risk was worth it. Even if the true conspirators were uncovered, the story would remain as it should be—buried.

“An excellent choice, my dear. I suggest we start the preparations.”