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attention directly in front of Rauch.  
    “Very well,” said Rauch, who was clearly impressed but was not going to let this young officer know it.   “Let’s go.   It’s getting colder.”    They exchanged salutes and Rauch pulled his collar up and stepped back into the car.  
    Schneider ran around the car, got in and they were off with all six trucks following as darkness overtook them.
       

CHAPTER THREE
 
    March 28, 1945
     
    On the Road, Germany;   9:30 p.m.
     
     
    It was definitely getting colder as the sun set.   Rauch noticed the road snaked through a forest.   They had not passed a house or other building for miles.   He also noticed the road was rising, climbing into the mountains west of the headquarters.   Where the hell were they going?   There is nothing out here… nothing.   What kind of a wild goose chase was he involved in?   The questions just poured over him.   And that just made him madder and madder.   He clenched his teeth and looked out at the near total darkness.  
    After about forty kilometers, Rauch was jolted awake as the car turned off of the road onto a narrower one.   He had fallen asleep.   This new road looked like an old logging path.   He cleared his eyes.   It was pitch dark outside.  
    “We will travel this road for thirty-five kilometers,” stated Schneider to the driver, relishing the power he had over an SS major.   “Keep your present speed and make sure the trucks are following.”  
    “We have been traveling for two hours, Schneider.   How much longer do we have?” asked Rauch, now not only half awake but clearly upset.   Schneider saw this and tried to explain.  
    “Sir, we are very close now.   We should be at our destination in just a few more hours.”  
    Rauch could not hold it in anymore.   His anger was beginning to spill.  
    “Are we to drive all night?   Where the hell are you taking me?   Just why in hell do we have to go out to the middle of nowhere for whatever we are supposed to do?” he snapped angrily.  
    “I am very sorry, sir,” Schneider said trying to not show any fear although he was beginning to get upset with a major screaming at him.   “But I am just following orders, sir.”   Schneider glanced over at the major and thought that it might be better if he just told him where they were going.   It would violate his orders but who would know?   They would be there in another few hours anyway.   He pursed his lips and considered his position.   Follow orders which would be worthless in a couple of hours or soothe a pissed-off major that he has to be with for a while.   How the hell did he get into this mess?   He made his decision.   What use was there to hold back now?  
    “Sir, we are to lead these six trucks to a secret location to pick up valuable cargo.   I do not know what the cargo is.   All I know is that it takes six trucks and twenty-four men to handle the loading.   I don’t even know where we are supposed to take the cargo.   That will all be in our next set of orders to be given to us with the cargo.”  
    “I see…” murmured Rauch.   “So I am not the only one in the dark about this,” he said, letting down his guard slightly.   “This secret location you call it, what is its function?”
    “I do not know, sir,” Schneider answered sheepishly.   After all this he felt he should know more so that he could impress the major with the information.   But he really had no idea.   “My orders merely state that I accompany you and supply six trucks and men to pick up cargo.   Beyond that I am clueless.”  
    “Well, I guess we will find out together, Oberleutnant.    I guess we will find out together.”
    “Yes, sir, Herr Sturmbahnführer.”
    The car continued to lead the trucks deep into the night.  
     

     
    The men in the back of the trucks were trying to get some sleep.   For these men it was the first time in days the constant rumbling of artillery was