The Metal Man: An Account of a WW2 Nazi Cyborg Read Online Free PDF Page A

voice.
     
    ‘Assuming that the others do as I instruct them correctly, then yes,’ said Schroder firmly.
     
    Reinhardt nodded, and also took a deep breath.
     
    ‘Jonas,’ he began, ‘I’ve had this nominal rank of Captain since the war began. Technically, I’m in total charge of this department. But we both know I was selected as head only because I have a ‘knack’ – for want of a better word – for managing people and resources. That’s basically it.
     
    ‘When it comes to the science part… Well, my university degree in chemistry is about it. I don’t pretend to understand the workings of most of what you’ve produced for this department; I just determine whether it’s practical to bring this-or-that project to the attention of my superiors…
     
    'And I have already informed them – just as I told Herr Hitler himself – that you are one of the finest scientists in the world. Perhaps the finest scientist in the world.’
     
    Schroder was looking quizzically at Reinhardt, obviously wondering where this speech was leading.
     
    Reinhardt hastened to come to the point –
     
    ‘You cannot fail with this, Jonas,’ he told the half-Jewish scientist, who was dressed as always in an old cardigan, shirt and bowtie. ‘There’s too much at stake here – for us… For us both. I’ve placed my absolute trust in you, and your total ability.’
     
    ‘I will not fail,’ Schroder said a little grimly. ‘Although my arrest the other day has made me worry…’
     
    ‘You’re safe, so long as you can produce this Metal Man,’ Reinhardt hastened to assure him.
     
    Schroder stared at his superior with his clear brown eyes.
     
    ‘Not for me,’ he stated. ‘For my mother. You’re sure she’s safe?’
     
    Reinhardt’s heart sank as he attempted to maintain eye contact. He trotted out the familiar line, which sounded evermore ridiculous every time Schroder made him say it.
     
    ‘Your mother is in a resettlement camp for Jews; a camp somewhere to the east – the exact location, even the country, has to be kept secret for security reasons,’ said Reinhardt, his voice sounding flat and false even to his own ears.
     
    Masking a sudden, acute sense of despair, he continued: ‘She is fine, well-cared for and fed. You… you receive letters from her, don’t you?’
     
    Schroder looked doubtful; and yet again, Reinhardt felt astounded that someone of such obvious genius could be taken in by this absurd tale.
     
    ‘Well, yes – yes I do,’ Schroder muttered, as though attempting to assure himself. ‘They come like clockwork, once a month. And it is her handwriting, but…’
     
    ‘But?’
     
    ‘But always the same information!’ Schroder cried. “This is what I had for dinner last night’… ‘I am taking painting classes’… ‘I am enjoying reading this book’’…’
     
    ‘Yes?’ said Reinhardt carefully.
     
    Schroder’s face twisted.
     
    ‘It’s not her !’ he said passionately. ‘It’s… it’s just all so stilted… So unnatural… She always used to mention my father, although he died over twenty years ago. But now she never says a thing about him…’
     
    Reinhardt decided that it would be best to terminate this conversation as quickly as was possible.
     
    ‘Having never met your mother, I can’t possibly comment on that,’ he said.
     
    Then, realizing that he too was compelled to try and continue the deception, he added: ‘But you get the letters; and as you say, it is her handwriting.’
     
    Schroder nodded slowly, and looked slightly more convinced.
     
    ‘Well, yes, that’s true, I suppose,’ he mused, stroking his chin with his small, fleshy fingers. ‘Maybe I’m just… just reading a little too much into the whole situation.’
     
    ‘I have to go now, and make my first report on Operation Metal Man,’ stated Reinhardt. ‘But, Jonas, I must repeat… There can be no room for error on this project. For all our sakes – yours’, mine, this