Atlantis Found (Dirk Pitt 15)

"No," answered Sandecker. Àll that is known for sure is that she was completed in November of 1944, sent to sea, but never entered combat duty."

"What did the German navy use her for?"

"Because she was a new generation in German electrodesign, she was considered far superior to any other submarines then in service by any nation at the time. Her lower hull, which was packed with powerful batteries, enabled her to outrun most surface vessels, remain submerged for literally months, and travel great distances underwater. What little information Yaeger was able to dig out of old German military documents was that she became part of a project known as the New Destiny Operation."

"Where have I heard that term before?" Pitt muttered.

"This was a blueprint drawn up by top Nazis, in collaboration with the Peron government in Argentina, for the flow of immense wealth accumulated by the Nazis during the war. While other submarines were still maintaining combat patrols to sink Allied shipping, the U-2015 was traveling back and forth between Germany and Argentina on a mission of transferring hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of gold and silver bullion, platinum, diamonds, and art objects stolen from the great collections of Europe. High-level Nazi officials and their families were also transported along with the treasure cargo, all discharged in absolute secrecy at a remote port on the coast of Patagonia."

"This went on before the war ended?"

"Right up to the bitter end," Sandecker answered. "The story that circulated in unconfirmed reports suggests that Oper

ation New Destiny was the brainchild of Martin Bormann. He may have possessed a fanatical adoration of Adolf Hitler, but he was smart enough to see the Third Reich crashing and burning in flames. Smuggling the Nazi hierarchy and a staggering amount of valuables to a nation friendly to Germany was his goal even before the Allied armies crossed the Rhine. His most ambitious plan was to smuggle Hitler to a secret redoubt in the Andes, but it fell through when Hitler insisted on dying in his bunker in Berlin."

"Was the U-2015 the only U-boat transporting riches and passengers to South America?" asked Pitt.

"No, there were at least twelve others. All were accounted for after the war. A few were sunk by Allied planes and warships. The rest were either turned over in a neutral country or scuttled by their crews."

"Any clues as to what happened to the money and passengers?"

"None," Sandecker admitted. "A sailor from one of the U-boats who was interviewed long after the war-- he disappeared shortly after-- described heavy wooden crates loaded onto trucks sitting at a deserted dock. The passengers, dressed in civilian clothes, looked and acted as if they were important personages in the Nazi party, and were hustled off in waiting cars. What happened to them or the treasure is not known."

"Argentina was a hotbed for old Nazis. What better place to recruit and organize a new world order on the ashes of the old?"

"Probably less than a handful are still alive. Any Nazi who held a high position in the party or military would have to be ninety or older."

"The plot thickens," said Pitt. "Why would a bunch of old Nazis resurrect the U-2015 and use it to destroy a research ship?"

"For the same reasons they tried to kill you in Telluride, and Al and Rudi on St. Paul Island in the Indian Ocean."

"I'm remiss for not asking about them earlier," said Pitt regretfully. "How did they make out? Did they find a chamber with the artifacts?"

"They did," Sandecker replied. "But then they narrowly missed death when their plane was destroyed before they could take off and return to Cape Town. As near as we can figure, a cargo ship sent off a helicopter with six armed men to kill any island intruders and lay their hands on whatever artifacts the passengers from the Madras left after their visit in 1779. Al and Rudi killed them all, as well as shooting down the helicopter. Rudi took a bullet that badly fractured his tibia. He's stable and will mend, but he'll be wearing a cast for a long while."

"Are they still on the island?"

"Just Al. Rudi was picked up about an hour ago by helicopter from a passing British missile frigate returning to Southampton from Australia. He'll soon be on his way to Cape Town for an operation in a South African hospital."

"Six killers and a helicopter," Pitt said with admiration. "I can't wait to hear their story."

"Quite astounding, when you consider they were unarmed during the initial stage of the battle."

"The Fourth Empire's intelligence network is nothing short of amazing," said Pitt. "Before the U-boat begin blasting at the Polar Storm, I had a brief chat with the captain. When I gave him my name, he asked how I came to be in the Antarctic after Colorado. Beware, Admiral, it pains me to say it, but I think we may have an informer in or near your NUMA office."

"I'll look into it," said Sandecker, the thought stirring him to anger. "In the meantime, I'm sending Dr.

O'Connell to St. Paul Island for an on-site study of the chamber and artifacts found by Al and Rudi. I'm arranging transportation for you to meet her and oversee the removal and transportation of the artifacts back to the States."

"What about the French? Don't they own the island?"

"What they don't know won't hurt them."

"When do I get back to civilization again?"

"You'll be in your own bed by the end of the week. Is there anything else on your mind?"

"Have Pat and Hiram had any luck in deciphering the inscriptions?"