Chapter I - The Beginning
April 30th 1945
Berlin
It is the final hours of the Third Reich. The once mighty German war machine has been crippled to the point where even its commander, Adolf Hitler, has admitted that defeat is imminent. Many in his inner circle have been removed whether by the bullets of their own or their enemies. Some have defected, others are struggling to find a way to escape Russian onslaught. The mood is bleak and few speak; those that do can merely whisper. Despite the deafening noise of battle outside, the Führerbunker is quiet as a graveyard.
Adolf Hiter, now but a shadow of his former self, is preparing to end his own life with his newly wed wife Eva. His faithful dog, Blondie, has already been sacrificed for the greater good. The one last thing the dictator has left of his empire is a pistol loaded with one bullet. The Goebbels family is likewise preparing for their end. After bidding farewell to his followers Hitler enters his office for the last time. Günsche, his adjutant, is guarding the door.
Suddenly, with great noise and ado a German soldier, whom Günsche recognises as the man guarding the bunker door, rushes down to him.
'Sir, I have urgent news to the Führer!'
Günsche is annoyed greatly. Goebbels comes to see what the noise is about.
'Be gone! The Führer must not be disturbed at the moment!' Günsche says angrily.
'No news are worth interrupting him now.'
The soldier doesn't move. He insists that whatever Hitler is doing, he must be called outside. Suddenly, more people emerge from behind him. A man in suit is being carried by two more soldiers, and a third one is carrying a wheelchair. Once they are down the stairs they put the man in the chair. He is a strange looking man, and Günsche couldn't recognize him although he was sure he had seen him before. The man in the wheelchair had large sunglasses covering his eyes and very elaborate blonde hair.
'What is this!? Explain yourself!' Joseph Goebbels asks.
After a brief silence the man in suit begins to speak.
'I would like to inform the Führer that we have completed Project Neubauführingenschtenz. I must speak to the Führer at once. Tell him that Doctor Merkwürdigliebe is here.'
After short pondering, and remembering that Hitler is doing, Goebbels knocks on the door and explains to Hitler what he just heard.
After a minute the Führer finally emerges from his room, alive. He walks up to the doctor.
'Is it ready? Is it here?'
'Yes it is, mein Führer. The machine is being brought down as we speak, and I assure you it is completely operational!'
Indeed, two soldiers came down carrying a large device which looked like a phone booth. Hitler went to it and opened its door. Goebbels followed him and asked to know what the device is.
'Doctor Goebbels', the scientist answered, 'what you are looking at is a time machine. Developed with the greatest minds of our country and ready to be used as we speak.'
Albert Speer also appeared in the room. He was very skeptical but Hitler's approval told him that this machine was legit.
'This is magnificent! How does it work?'
'There is no time to explain, unfortunately. But I can explain where it can take us.'
The scientist rolled to the machine and cleared his throat.
'Everyone in this room agrees that the war... could have gone better. This machine is the solution. It has the capability to transport a small group of people to the year 1940, when our Reich was still at its zenith. Our mission would be to reach our then-selves, explain the situation and direct them accordingly. Therefore we would essentially be able to fight the war a second time, this time with proper knowledge of what we need to do to win.'
Goebbels was utterly fascinated by the machine. 'What do you mean "small group"? Who of us shall go?'
Hitler had been quiet all this time, but now spoke. 'I, Goebbels, Speer and Merkwürdidliebe'. If there is room, Eva and Magda shall come as well.
At once the two were recalled to the room, and soon they were inside the time machine. It was uncomfortably small, but amazingly they all managed to fit in. Merkwürdigliebe produced a small keyboard which he connected to the machine.
'Prepare yourselves,' he said, 'to replay history!'
He pushed a large red button located on the middle of the keyboard.
The only screen of the machine began showing all kinds of strange numbers. The passengers felt as if they were in a roller coaster and Eva even fainted. Eventually, some numbers appeared on the screen.
16.....
10.....
The machine paused. Merkwürdidliebe tried to restrain his worry but failed.
'There is something wrong. October 16th, but what year? Do not fail me machine!'
1....
'Good, good, just nine, four, oh and we are done... Come on...'
The machine let out a very strong clanking noise and finally produced the year to the screen.
1066
'Uh oh...'
