Red Inferno 1945 by Robert Conroy

Author:Robert Conroy [Conroy, Robert]
Format: epub
Tags: alternate history
Published: 2010-05-16T23:00:00+00:00

But what about Lis and the boy? Pauli would probably be lucky. He would likely be killed outright. But Lis? He had heard the stories. Most of the German women in Potsdam had been raped by Russians and had made plans to kill themselves before that happened again.

Lis hadn't mentioned anything—some topics were still taboo—but he knew she must have considered it. He could not bear the thought of her spread-eagled on the ground while a line of grinning Russians waited their turn.

He had to get her out of Potsdam. How? he bitterly asked himself. They were surrounded by a river and tens of thousands of Russians. If she could sprout wings she might have a chance.

"Did you say anything?" she asked groggily, and he realized he must have said something out loud.

He kissed her on the forehead. "Nah. Must've been mumbling to myself."

Elisabeth shook her head and roused herself. "I have to get up and see your dear Sergeant Krenski."

Logan chuckled. He saw nothing dear at all about First Sergeant Krenski, who seemed to worship Lis. "Why?"

She stood and stretched like cat. "Because I am teaching the nice man how to read. He isn't dumb, you know. He just was too embarrassed to do anything after he succeeded in leaving school without learning a thing. Really, you ought to do something about your schools."

Jack swatted her on the rear and she stuck out her tongue. Lucky Krenski, he thought, and what the hell is he doing with my girl?

BURKE AND GODWIN waited in the chill dawn alongside the hastily built airstrip. It was long, very long, and Burke wondered just what the hell needed so much real estate for takeoff and landing.

Godwin was there as a representative of the RAF, and Burke was there because it was presumed he was an emissary from Marshall. Basically, this was an American Eighth Air Force show, and scores of air force personnel ranged the area. Antiaircraft guns pointed skyward, although their crews stood several feet away from their weapons lest there be some tragic mistake.

"I still can't believe this is happening," Godwin said.

Burke chuckled. "Hasn't happened yet, now has it?"

"If this is a trap," Godwin said. "We are dead."

It wasn't a trap, Burke reassured himself. There weren't that many important people present to make it worth a trap or a betrayal. At least that's what he hoped.

A large flight of P-51s flew overhead with a roar. They were the van of the escort. Even though unseen, a multitude of other American fighters provided flank and rear support.

Godwin jabbed Burke's arm. "There."

A dark shape had descended from the clouds and was approaching the landing strip. Instead of the roar of a propeller plane, this had more of a singing sound. "Oh my God," muttered Burke.

The strange plane touched down gently, showing the pilot's obvious skill. "I can't even get into bed that softly," Burke said.

They openly gaped at the plane. It more resembled a shark than anything else. And there were no propellers. The plane was a jet, the dreaded ME-262.

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