codes authorizing us to proceed with our orders. If we're subjected to chemicals and we reveal those useless codes, they can be only more impressed."
"You're still not answering me. I liked you better when you didn't talk so much and were less erudite. How do we deal with the Americans)"
"First, we acknowledge our importance, our close ties with the leadership both in Europe and in America. Then, with reluctance, we also admit that there's a fair degree of hypocrisy in our actions.
Our lifestyles are extravagant concealed expensive residences, unlimited funds, the most voluptuous women whenever we want them. The fantasies of every young man are our reality, and the cause that makes this possible is the cause we work for, not necessarily a cause we would die for."
"Very good, Two, very convincing."
"It's the foundation. From there we appeal to their appetite for conspiracy. We reemphasize our importance, our influence, the fact that we're constantly consulted and must be in contact with our counterparts all over the world in these days of supersonic travel."
"Especially the United States, of course," said Zero Five, Paris.
"Of course. And the information we have-specific names, and in the absence of names, positions in both government and civilian industry-is truly shocking. Men and women they could not imagine are sympathetic to the Brotherhood of the Watch."
"That's being done now."
"We'll escalate the process to new heights. After all, no one's heard it from 'the horse's mouth," as the Americans say. If our computers are right, and I expect they are, we're the first of the new Nazi elite to be taken alive. Actually, we're trophies, prisoners of war of the highest order. We might very well be given special privileges if we appear to waver. I'm rather looking forward to the next few days."
Zeros Four and Seven, near-hysterical escapees from the rue Diane, burst into the Blitzkrieger headquarters at the Avignon warehouse complex, trying to impose some control over their emotions-none too successfully. Their two remaining comrades were in the conference room-one at the table, the other pouring Coffee.
"We're finished!" cried the impulsive Paris Zero Four, breathlessly throwing himself into a chair.
"All hell broke loose!"
"What happened?" The Blitzkrieger pouring coffee dropped the cup.
"It wasn't our fault." Paris Seven, standing, held his place, and spoke in a loud, defensive voice.
"It was a trap, and Five and Two panicked. They ran inside the flat on rapid fire-"
"Then there were different shots and we heard them fall," Zero Four broke in, his eyes unfocused.
"They're probably dead."
"What about the others, the two who scaled down the building to the window?"
"We don't know; there was no way we could know!"
"What do we do now?" asked Seven.
"Any word from Zero One?"
"Nothing.
"One of us must assume his position and reach Bonn," said the elite killer by the coffee.
To a man, the other three shook their heads emphatically.
"We'll be executed," said Four -quietly, matter of-factly.
"The leaders will demand it, and speaking personally, I will not die for others' mistakes, others'
panic. Were I responsible, I would gladly take the cyanide, but I am not, we are not!"
"But what can we do?" repeated Seven.
The erect Four walked pensively around the table, pausing in front of the Blitzkrieger by the coffee machine.
"You handle our accounts, not so?"
"Yes, I do."
"How much money do we have?"
"Several million francs."
"Can you get more quickly?"
"Our requests for funds are not questioned. We place a phone call and they are wired. We justify them later, naturally understanding the consequences if they are for false pretenses."
"The same consequences we face now, am I right?"
"Essentially, yes. Death."
"Make your call and ask for the maximum you can get. You might drop a hint that we may have the President of France or the head of the Chamber of Deputies in our pockets."
"That would call for the maximum. The transfer will be immediate, but the funds would not be available to us until the Algerian bank opens.. .. It's past four now; the bank opens at nine o'clock."
"Less than five hours," said Zero Seven, staring at Four.
"What are you thinking of?"
"The obvious. We stay here, we all face execution.. .. What I'm about to say to you may turn your stomachs, but I submit that we can better serve our cause alive than dead. Especially when our deaths are the result of others' incompetence; we still have much to offer.. .. I have an elderly uncle outside of Buenos Aires, seventy miles south of the Rio de la Plata. He was one of many who fled the Third Reich