The Sixth Seal

Hannah looked down the barrel of Henryk’s pistol. Years of study and relentless pursuit had all led to this. Failure. Even without her help the Doctor would eventually find what he was after. She knew, as did the others, that although the book’s true power couldn’t be unleashed without breaking the seven seals, a devastating amount of energy could be channeled through the Eye of Jupiter. That kind of raw power in the hands of the Nazis would turn the course of the war in Germany’s favor. Heaven help mankind.

She wished the Doctor were here. He was the only one who could stop Henryk from killing her. She pulled again against her restraints, staring the Lieutenant in the eyes. Defiant. Even at the feet of death she continued her work, as a protector was born to do. Every detail, every face, the smoke in the air, all committed to memory in hopes of passing on as much to her successor as possible.

Jacques stirred. “Damn you to hell! You murderers. You rapists. You will pay for what you have done to my country and my people.”

The smirk that played across Niklas’ face spoke of contempt. He raised his gun and took aim at Jacques.

She closed her eyes. This was a memory she didn’t want.

The shot echoed through the space followed by a clattering on the hard ground.

“Are you all right, Miss Klein?”

The question, as well as the person asking it, puzzled her. She opened her eyes. Henryk was holstering his pistol. Niklas’ body lay at his feet. A line of blood leaked from a single hole in the young man’s forehead. She tried to form words, but found herself unable.

“I’m sorry this happened, but I couldn’t reveal myself until I was certain.” He pulled a knife from beneath his coat and stepped behind her.

Before she could flinch, he had cut the ropes. She rubbed at her raw wrists, and then catching a stir of movement, turned her attention to Jacques.

Henryk put a hand on her shoulder. “Here, take the knife and release your friend. I want to stay at the ready in case we get any unexpected visitors.”

The ropes binding Jacques were tight and her progress was slow due to her trembling hands. From the look on Jacques’ face, he was still having difficulty understanding what had just happened.

A harsh rumbling from somewhere outside filled the small room. Henryk put a finger to his lips, signaling them to remain silent. After a moment he whispered, “There isn’t much time to explain.”

“Do your best,” Jacques whispered back as he pulled himself off the ground with a little help from Hannah.

“I’m with the Polish Resistance. I speak German quite well and with a passable accent, so I was assigned to infiltrate the SS. Originally, I did quick runs, posing as an officer in Warsaw and helping as many Jewish families as I could escape.”

Jacques wiped some of the blood from his mouth. “What brought you to France?”

“Miss Klein.”

“Me? Why on Earth would you follow me to France?”

“The book. It must be kept out of such dangerous hands.”

“You know of the book?” She furrowed her brow, a barrage of questions forming in her mind.

“Yes, I am a gatherer...and you are a protector.”

“You’re a gatherer? Then surely you must have known I was a protector all along.”

“Indeed, but I wasn’t sure which side you were on. There are protectors working inside the Nazi party.”

“Who?”

“I do not know the individuals, but they are known as the Horsemen. Doctor Altman is an agent of theirs.”

Hannah shook her head. “That can’t be. The Doctor is a good man.”

“I would disagree, but we haven’t time to argue. A detail will arrive soon to inspect the commotion. I’ll have to feed them a plausible story and it would be best if he was gone.” Henryk motioned toward Jacques.

“Where do you expect me to go? There’s a troop truck on the way, and two of my best men are dead.”

“I’m sorry about that. I’m sure they were fine men, but we have all lost friends and there is work to be done yet. I’ve made arrangements for the Bishop to meet you at a spot a mile outside of the city...by the river. Do you know the place?”

Jacques nodded. “Yes. I have met him there before.”

“Good. Go there now as quickly as you can. Three of my men...” He paused, studying Jacques’ face. “Don’t worry, they’re Polish Resistance too. They will be there with the Bishop and a truck. The children have all been gathered. We will meet you there this evening.”

Hannah stepped forward. “What of the book? I need Jacques’ help to retrieve it.”

“I will help you. Besides the men I have sent to help the children, I still have five more loyal to our cause.” He bent down and picked Niklas’ gun off the floor and offered it to Jacques. “Here, take this and go out the back. I’ll make sure no one follows you.”

“Thank you, sir. I owe you my life.”

Henryk nodded.

Jacques smiled and turned to her. “I don’t pretend to understand who you are or what this book is all about, but I wish you the best.” He clasped her hands and held them to his lips before turning to go.

They stepped over the body of the young man in the doorway, his throat slit and his blood pooling against the door frame. A permanent look of bewilderment frozen on his youthful face. “Enrich?” she whispered.

Henryk nodded.

Once on the street, a stocky, redheaded man approached them. His green eyes held the look of a seasoned combat veteran. They were calm and steady yet attentive, taking everything in. He stopped in front of Henryk and gave him a quick salute.

“Lieutenant Wozniak, what happened here? Are you injured, Sir?”

Henryk waved his hand. “I’m fine Sergeant Knaf. Miss Klein was having lunch with her bodyguards and they came under fire from a couple of those damned rebel dogs.”

“Any survivors?” He glanced at her.

“I’m afraid not. Two of our boys are dead.” He paused for a moment. “We did manage to find one of their hideouts though.” He took Knaf by the arm and looked him in the eye. “I think the attack was carried out by some of Jacques’ men. I want you to have your men lock this area down. Establish a six block perimeter and don’t let anyone in or out until I return.”

Knaf clicked his heels before turning back toward his troop truck. As Hannah and Henryk walked past, he was already barking orders at his men. They jumped to attention and fanned out over the block.

The sight of so many German soldiers rushing about made her nervous. Henryk seemed to pick up on her apprehension. “Don’t worry, just stay with me.” He pointed her to his car and waved at the driver. The familiar diesel engine roared to life as Henryk opened the door for her. She jumped in, eager to leave the devastation and destruction behind.

The driver didn’t waste any time. He took off without a word from Henryk, as though he already knew what the Lieutenant had in mind.

Another troop truck passed them at the corner. Henryk turned in his seat to face her. “I’ll send even more men to the scene. It will give us a better chance with the book.”

The expression of shock must have been evident on her face, because he picked up on it immediately. “Don’t worry he’s an old friend in the Polish Resistance. We can talk candidly.”

“So do you really think the two of us can stroll into the Capitole and just take the book? Shouldn’t we formulate a plan and enlist a little help?”

Henryk furrowed his brow. “I’m afraid I’ve had to move things up a bit.”

“I don’t think Doctor Altman will be able to crack the code without another linguist, and I’m sure I can stall him for at least a few days until we can get some reinforcements.”

He shook his head. “No time. Some of the other commanders are beginning to unravel what the Bishop is up to. We have to get the children out tonight, and once that is done my cover will be blown.”

“I know the children are important, but if we fail to take the book, more children than these will suffer.”

“If it were just about the children I would tend to agree with you, but there is more to it.” He rubbed his chin, took off his cap, and then ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m fairly certain that Doctor Altman is suspicious of me. I overheard him on the phone with Command requesting to move the project to Berlin. If that happens we may never get a shot at the book. We need to strike now while we have a good distraction.” He motioned back toward the restaurant.

“But I still don’t see how the two of us can pull it off.”

He smiled. “I have a few men who are loyal to me, including the two guarding the laboratory.”

The two men at the door would let them in the lab. Henryk would convince the Doctor he was needed at the front of the building, and she would put the book in a satchel. From that point all they had to do was walk out the back of the building to the car waiting for them. They’d be halfway to their rendezvous with Jacques and the Bishop before anyone noticed the book was gone.

As they stepped into the Capitole building, she stared up at the figures painted in fresco on the walls. Their painted eyes watching them as they made their way toward the laboratory. She pressed on her chest and took in a deep breath. She knew she had to get control of her fear. This was her only chance to save the book. There was no room for error.

Their footsteps on the cold marble announced their presence. The two guards snapped to attention, but eased a little when Henryk gave them a knowing nod. The man on the left jerked his head toward the door. “Herr Doctor is in the lab, Sir.”

“I figured as much.” He pointed to her. “Miss Klein is with us. We’re going to make our move now. Konrad is waiting out back. I’m going to tell the good Doctor he has a package he needs to sign for. When he leaves, you two keep an eye out and give me a signal if there’s any trouble.”

She grabbed Henryk’s arm. “How are we going to get out? There’s only one door in and out of the lab.”

“Actually there’s a door behind the cabinet on the back wall. It’s padlocked, but a good kick should bust the frame.” He smiled. “It’s just made of wood.”

With a quick nod from Henryk the man on the left opened the door. Doctor Altman was hunched over the book. He looked up when they entered, a large magnifying glass over his right eye. He squinted and then pushed it up, focusing on them.

“Lieutenant? Hannah? What are you doing here?”

“I’m afraid Miss Klein came under attack while she was on a lunch break from her research. I thought it best to bring her back to the safety of the lab until we can get the situation under control.”

The Doctor moved from behind the table, looking her over. “Are you all right, my dear child?”

“Yes. Just a little shaken up.” She avoided his gaze, looking down at the floor.

“I’ll take it from here, Lieutenant. You may leave now.” The Doctor waved him away.

“I’m afraid a rather large package has arrived for you at the front entrance, Doctor.”

The Doctor furrowed his brow. “What is it?”

Henryk shrugged. “Haven’t a clue, but the driver won’t release it to anyone but you.”

“That’s odd.” The Doctor scratched his head. “I’m not expecting any deliveries.” He glanced around the room. “I’m really rather busy. Can you have him bring it here?”

She kept her eyes to the floor, trying to hide her panicked look.

The pause before Henryk spoke seemed to go on for an eternity. “Given recent events, I’d feel more comfortable if you went outside and examined the package before we bring it into a high security area. I’d hate to jeopardize such an important project.”

“Oh very well.” The Doctor started to leave, but stopped at the door. “Aren’t you coming Lieutenant?”

“No. I have a few questions for Miss Klein about the men who attacked her.” He met the Doctor’s eyes. “It shouldn’t take long.”

The Doctor turned without a word and left them alone in the room. The book pulled at her like metal to a magnet. It wasn’t forceful this time, just something at the periphery of her being, more of a longing than a pull.

“Quick, put the book in the satchel while I move the cabinet and work on the door.” He handed her the bag he’d had folded under his coat. He was across the room and pushing on the cabinet before she made it to the book.

The Doctor had put it back inside the metal box, but the lid was off and the Eye of Jupiter pulsed in faint intervals. The light intensified the closer she got to it. Blurred images flashed across the surface and swirled down into the center of the stone. She reached into the box and grabbed the book on each side. Gentle electric tendrils caressed her skin and sent warmth up her spine to the base of her neck. It was a pleasant sensation. A feeling of connectedness, completion.

The book wouldn’t budge. She pulled again. Still nothing. She could see no obvious device holding it in place, but it held firmly nonetheless. Henryk must have seen her struggle because he looked at her questioningly.

“It’s stuck. I can’t get it out of the box.”

“Take the whole box.”

She shook her head. “No good. It won’t move either. It’s as though it’s welded to the table.” She looked down at the floor and then wished she hadn’t. “The damn table is bolted to the floor.”

“There may be some tools in the car. I’ll get the door open and then--”

Gunfire drowned out his words. Henryk jumped over the table, kicked over a metal shelf in front of them, and pulled out his pistol. The door exploded inward pelting them with debris. Henryk fired three times, dropping the first soldier. The man behind returned fire, forcing them to take cover. She could just barely hear Doctor Altman over the chaos.

“Traitors! Kill them both!”

She covered her head, her mind racing. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Henryk pull a grenade from his belt and lob it toward the door. The gunfire stopped, followed by an explosion. She pushed it all away and called to the book. Help me now if it is in your power.

Take the Eye and flee. The gathering will reunite us.

And with those words she knew what had to be done.

“Cover me!” She jumped up without waiting for a response from Henryk. He answered her by laying down a barrage of gunfire.

The Eye reflected a golden hue. She pressed her palms over its smooth surface, spoke the necessary words, and twisted. The eye lifted out of the book, now a complete sphere in her hands.

Henryk pointed his gun at the back door and fired at the lock. It shattered and the door flew outward. His men responded quickly, rushing the steps that led up to the back of the building. She tucked the Eye of Jupiter under her arm and started for the door.

A maniacal scream pierced the room. Doctor Altman stood in the wreckage of the front door, smoke billowing up from the floor. Two more soldiers at his side. A gun in his right hand.

“Return the Eye to me, Protector.”

Henryk swiveled and took aim, but not before the Doctor fired.

It took her a second to realize she’d been shot. At first it was just an odd pressure in her chest, followed by another, until she realized she’d been shot two more times.

Henryk fired again and again. She saw the Doctor double over and fall to the floor. The two men that had rushed up the back steps were now in the room and doing their best to pin down the soldiers. She stumbled back into the table, nearly losing her grip on the Eye.

Henryk jammed his gun in its holster and rushed to her side, catching her before she hit the floor.

She moved in and out of consciousness as he carried her to the car. With each beat of her heart the lights grew dimmer. She was faintly aware of Henryk shouting and the car moving. Her hands still wrapped around the Eye, and her face pushed into the leather seat. She struggled to speak.

“Henryk?”

“Don’t speak. Save your strength. I’m going to get you some help.”

“There’s no time.”

She felt his hand on hers. “Just hang on. You can make it.” His voice was strained, fearful.

“Listen to me, Henryk. You must take the Eye to my cousin in Berlin. My brother Andrew will help you.”

He squeezed her hand. “Just stay with us a little longer.”

“I have work to do now. Remember, take the Eye when I pass. The Bishop will help you find Andrew.”

Whatever Henryk said, she didn’t hear it. After she spoke her last words, she pushed all that was left of her being into the Eye of Jupiter. There was still work to be done and her time would be short.

Hannah’s consciousness flickered and wavered until she became fully aware. She stared out from inside the Eye, peering through the clear stone to the world beyond. The space she occupied seemed infinite, not constrained to the inner dimensions of the clear orb that had been in her hands only moments ago. She felt light and expansive now free from her physical body. Currents of energy and lines of power, extended outward from the center, crossing each other, and creating an immense spider web that stretched out beyond the horizon. Some of the lines were stronger than the others, pulsing brighter. She reached out to the nearest.

Below her, a vast continent of ice. She understood that she was not physically transported to this location; rather she was shown the path of this particular line. The line snaked and writhed, penetrating the surface of the Earth and extending down to the core. She reached out again and was transported back to the center.

She grabbed another line of power and was whisked away to another location. This time she found herself on the surface of the moon, looking down at the Earth below. A thick, golden line extended from somewhere beneath her and plunged toward the surface of the blue planet, vanishing beneath the clouds. She turned and examined the stars beyond the moon, noticing for the first time delicate golden threads connecting each one to the other.

The realization came to her as though a fog had lifted. Each line of power was a connection, a connection that could be altered by introducing a sequence of commands into the streams of energy. She knew at once what she needed to do. It was the only way to keep the catastrophic power of the book from being unleashed, should the Eye be reunited with its host. That’s what the book really was, a host and a lexicon of sorts that could channel energy through the Eye. All of the power resided within the clear orb, and now she would lock it away until she could be reborn. Again she touched the line of power and returned to the center.

The center was the hub and the point of origination for all of the power harnessed within. From this point, she had but to speak the words and continents would tremble, the skies would open up and the seas would boil. She addressed the Eye.

“Do you know who I am?”

Yes, you are the sixth seal, protector and binder of the book of power.

“Do you acknowledge my dominion over you and all you contain?”

Yes, your will is mine, Protector. I sense your wishes.

“And you know how to put into action these wishes?”

You have but to speak it and so it shall be.

“From this day forward you will answer only to me, in any of my forms. We will speak in a tongue I have created myself from an ancient language. Do you understand it? Can you pull it from my mind?”

Your knowledge is mine, and mine is yours, Protector.

“Very good. You will know me as Digamma and address me as such. I will leave a piece of myself here so that no one else may enter this place.”

Sicut dicitur, Digamma.