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opulence in this “bunker” as it had been called.  
    “Gentlemen, when you are finished with your meal, please report to the conference room just across the hall.”   Reiniger turned and motioned to the service manager standing near the double doors at the end of the room.  
    “Thank you,” Schneider answered meekly.   Rauch simply nodded in silence.  
    Almost immediately two serving staffers dressed in white entered the dining room and set several fine china dishes in front of each officer at the table.    Within 30 seconds another waiter brought two large platters, one of carved roast beef and the other of various cooked vegetables, and placed them on the table.   A platter of bread and fresh fruit soon followed.   Two bottles of French Bordeaux also appeared, perfectly decanted.
    “Sir, do you believe this?” a wide-eyed Schneider asked.   “This is magnificent!”  
    Trying not to seem impressed, Rauch perused the table.   “Schneider, what do you expect?   This is the Führer’s dining room; nothing but the best!”   Rauch smiled broadly acting as though this was regular fare at SS officers’ mess.   Both officers filled their plates and began their meal.   Neither had eaten this well in several months.  
    After nearly an hour, the officers finished their meals and prepared for the journey ahead.   Schneider deftly stashed an apple and pear in his pocket for later.   He had not seen fresh fruit in eight months.   He was not about to pass up such a fine chance.   In fact, if he could, he would have taken the entire platter with him.
     

CHAPTER SIX
 
    March 30, 1945
     
    Bunker Conference Room;   4:00 a.m.
     
     
    Back in the conference room the three men sat down.   Their coats and gloves were still there.   Reiniger left the room for a minute, returning with a leather pouch.   Rauch immediately recognized the pouch.   It looked similar to the one he initially received back at regimental headquarters.    Reiniger opened the pouch and placed the orders on the table in front of him.   After briefly looking them over, he stacked the pages neatly and returned the stack to the pouch.   He calmly placed his hands on the table.  
    “Your orders are to transport this cargo in these trucks to the railhead at Ohrdruf.   From there you will go to Rostock.   You are to accompany this cargo with the full detachment of men you have here to be joined by a guard group in Ohrdruf.   Once in Ohrdruf there will be a train waiting for you.   Transfer the cargo to the train and further accompany the cargo to the destination denoted, Rostock.   You will be contacted by the SS commander at the rail station in Rostock for the final destination.   Gentlemen, do you have any questions?” asked Reiniger.  
    Rauch and Schneider looked at each other.  
    “Perfectly clear, sir,” replied Schneider.   Reiniger handed the SS pouch to Schneider.   He placed it on the table before him and nodded to Rauch.   
    “Good,” nodded Reiniger.   “You leave immediately.”   Reiniger stood to attention, “Heil Hitler!” snapping his right arm up in the Nazi salute.
    “Heil Hitler!” answered Rauch and Schneider as they both bolted up to attention returning the salute.  
    With that, Rauch and Schneider picked up their belongings and the pouch.   Reiniger turned and led the two men back through the checkpoints until they found themselves back at the mouth of the original bunker entrance.   The loaded trucks had been brought around and were parked, running, just behind Rauch’s staff car.   The two officers walked briskly to the car, Schneider opening the rear door for Rauch as he got in.   A quick few steps around the car and Schneider was in the opposite door and they were away; back into the darkness and cold.  
    “My God, what have we gotten ourselves into?” asked Rauch quietly, not expecting an answer.  
    Schneider stared ahead.   “Whatever it is, this is big, very big.