Otto had driven into the tiny hamlet of Rockland, Michigan, a few miles from the hideout, to get the latest word from Ursula. It was a terse telegram informing him that she was still "on the job", and nothing more than that. Otto swore, crumpled it up, threw it in the nearest trash bin and headed back to the car. He hated being out of the loop, and intended to do something about it soon.

On his way back he stared morosely at the endless forested wilderness that closed in around both sides of the road. He might as well be in Siberia, he thought, with disgust. They were totally isolated and useless here.

On returning to the cabin he got a surprise upon opening the front door, when he found himself looking straight down the barrel of a gun...Martin's .38 revolver.

"Hello, Otto, we've been expecting you," said Martin, reasonably. "Now if you would just quietly raise your hands..."

Otto stood frozen in shock. A quick glance around the room revealed Bruno, tied securely up in a wooden chair, and Brehmer handling a snub-nosed pistol, which was also pointed straight at Otto. Kathryn was standing beside Brehmer, her eyes shining.

"What in hell is this?" spluttered Otto.

"I'm sorry, Otto," said Bruno, his face red with frustration. "They got the drop on me."

Brehmer had handed his gun to Kathryn and stepped forward. He went through Otto's jacket and removed not one, but two weapons, both Lugers, tucked one of them into his own pockets and kept the other.

"Sit down, Otto," said Martin. "And I shall explain it all."

Otto took a seat. He was pale, and at this point quite speechless with anger.

"You see, Otto, things have reached a point here where they can only get worse," said Martin. "I have considered where we may all go from here, and it doesn't add up to anything good. Number one, I know you would eventually decide to shoot this young woman...no, don't deny it...we haven't time for that now. When you did that, you would surely have to kill Brehmer too...or he would kill you...or maybe I would. Then there's Bruno, who as we all know is a fellow who goes by the book and follows orders. It would come down to him killing Brehmer or Brehmer killing him or...you see what I mean? And for what, Otto? For exactly what? For nothing! This mission is a fool's errand. We cannot get into or stop that atomic project unless we all intend to commit suicide doing it, and that is clearly not going to happen. Ursula thinks she can do it somehow, but I think she's wrong. She may try, but she won't succeed."

Otto finally found his voice. "What do you take me for?" he snarled. "Some kind of monster? I would never kill this girl."

"Yes you would," said Martin calmly. "Just like you did those young apes. I know you, Otto. I will not be complicit in pointless murders that accomplish nothing anyway."

"You are a traitor!" said Otto, his eyes burning with a cold rage. "I'll see you hung on a meat hook for this!"

"I don't think so," said Martin. "Now I'll tell you what we're going to do. We need the car, Otto. Brehmer and Kathryn and I are going on a little road trip, and we won't be back. We are bailing out of this war which is lost anyway. If you don't know it then you're simply denying unpleasant realities. I have no reason to do you any harm and I don't intend to. My advice to you and Bruno is simple. Give it up now. Get out of this country by any way you can. You can't stop that project, but will only get yourselves caught or killed. You've seen the American production figures, and you know it as well as I do, Otto, it's over. Germany can't win this war. I am regretful of that, but I accept realities."

"But we could win it if we had the new weapon!" said Otto fiercely.

"Perhaps," admitted Martin. "But we can't get it. Not you and I, not Ursula, not any of our agents. It can't be done. Therefore, it's a pipedream...unless our scientists in Europe achieve an unexpected breakthrough. I can't count on that happening."

"I should have blown you up in the warehouse," said Otto bitterly. "All three of you."

Martin shrugged. "You would never have managed it. I'm not that stupid."

Otto said nothing, but he thought of Ursula. She could have arranged it. She would have, if he had just taken the bull by the horns.

"Well," observed Martin. "That about sums it up. I didn't think you would prove to amenable to reason, but I thought it fair to let you know where things stand. I have taken the liberty of dipping into the emergency funds. Just enough to allow us to travel. Don't worry, I've left you plenty of cash too. If you're smart, you will buy yourself another car and get moving...anywhere but in the direction of Chicago. As for Ursula...well, Ursula has a way of looking after herself, but I doubt we shall see her again." He got up and buttoned his jacket. "Best of luck, gentlemen!" He gave them a smile, a little bow and a click of the heels. "Otto...Bruno...it's been...interesting, hasn't it? If we all survive the war I'll buy you both a bottle of schnaps or tequila. See you in Montevideo, perhaps? On the beach."

"I'll see you in hell," muttered Bruno darkly, straining at his bonds. As for Otto, he just ground his teeth in impotent fury.

"You should have let me go back to Germany when I wanted to, Otto," said Brehmer pointedly. "I'll give you one last warning. Don't pursue us. Don't even think about it. And don't think of doing anything to Kathryn either or I'll put a bullet through your brain. Do as Martin says and stay well away from us. I will NOT buy you a bottle of schnaps after the war."

Otto glowered back at him wordlessly, imagining all the terrible things he would do to Brehmer. Futile imaginings.

And with that they were out the door. Otto was out of his chair and moving fast for the office when he heard the car doors shutting. He was looking for another gun...but couldn't find one.

"Otto, untie me," yelled Bruno. "I know where they put the rifles."

Too late. By the time Otto had Bruno untied the escapees were well on their way, and Otto was fit to be tied himself.

* * * * *

Brehmer was driving. "Christ! It feels good to be piloting something again, even if it is just a car," he said. And it feels good to be free! Even the air smells fresher!" He laughed for the pure joy and excitment of it, and Kathry was smiling brightly too, although she was wondering just what they would do next.

"Where to, Commander?" asked Brehmer merrily.

Martin smiled. "Never mind about that, this is an association of equals from here on in. You're been discharged, Jurgen. I suggest we go somewhat south, but not too close to Chicago." He studied the map. "Why not make for Madison, Wisconsin? Kathryn, could you drive yourself back to Chicago from Madison?"

"Yes...I could...but...what about...?"

"Jurgen and I shall find other means from there. We can't be seen in this car for very long. Otto and Bruno will walk or ski into town, and then who knows? They will probably get another car and contact Ursula. The safest thing for you to do is...either travel on with us, and that would be very risky, so I frankly don't advise it...or go back to Chicago and put yourself under the protection of the police at once. Only do us a favour and tell them that Brehmer and I are traveling east, if you would. East to the Atlantic coast."

"Yes..." said Kathryn. She was torn. Part of her wanted to stay beside Brehmer, risk or no risk, and face whatever came...the other part told her that she had to go back home at once and do her duty, do whatever she could to stop Ursula and Otto. She had responsibilities that could not simply be walked away from. Things were just not that easy. It was the war again. Damn the war. But without the war, she and Brehmer would never have met. It gave both of them a good deal to think about on the long drive to Madison.