Chapter 13: The God of War Takes Command

After all personnel arrived at the "Sanctuary" aboard the U-396, SS Major Ziegenk stepped to the front of the group, adjusted his collar, and spoke in an official tone he seldom used:

"As the newly arrived members of the 'Sanctuary,' we are about to receive a briefing from the base commander, followed by a ceremony for awarding medals and promotions. You will receive new identities and be assigned to new units. I congratulate you all in advance. Your unwavering faith during the Empire's most perilous times marks you as honorable warriors and the Empire's most loyal soldiers! As your commanding officer, I now ask you to give your utmost attention and spirit to embrace your new life!"

Though his words were somewhat vague, the mention of training and promotions made Lin immediately understand the arrangement of the dormitories—evidently, the officers and soldiers who had followed **oss to this secret place would receive corresponding rewards. It seemed he too would soon be promoted to lieutenant, just like his dormmates. He had noticed that every sergeant had received a key when the dorms were assigned, indicating that such promotions were likely universal, ensuring everyone got a share.

Checking his watch, Ziegenk adjusted his collar and lapel before ordering, "Move out."

Passing through a corridor with floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides, the group of over fifty officers and soldiers, filled with curiosity and anticipation, entered the dining hall. The space was brightly lit and spacious, with the outer hall arranged with three long rectangular wooden tables covered with plain tablecloths, adorned at intervals with vases and flower arrangements. The walkways between the tables were carpeted with thick red carpets. Looking inward, the dining hall extended far beyond a football field's length, divided by arched doorways into several sections, with the farthest wall adorned with a side portrait of the Empire's leader.

At the dining hall entrance, a captain in an army dress uniform awaited, leading Ziegenk's group along the left walkway. Lin noticed that the outer hall already seated four to five hundred soldiers, with their plates filled with an array of meats, vegetables, and soups, served directly by staff in white aprons pushing food carts. These staff members, all young women wearing white work hats and short socks, moved with practiced efficiency, serving food from metal trays and soup containers upon request. Their smiles were ever-present, varying in height and build, with hair colors complementing their appearances.

This seemed less like a typical military meal and more like an exceptionally grand banquet.

In the second hall, the setting was notably more upscale, with only two rows of long wooden tables and a wider central aisle that the red carpet couldn't fully cover. Here, all seated were officers of lieutenant rank or higher, who only needed to sit for the food cart staff to serve them. Though the dishes appeared similar to those in the outer hall, the serving staff here were notably more refined in appearance and demeanor. Lin quickly counted about fifty officers here, roughly one-tenth of the seating capacity, leaving the area somewhat sparse, fostering a sense of expectation and imagination.

The innermost hall had only one very wide table, at least seventy meters long, capable of seating over a hundred people at once. Each chair was adorned with black velvet, exuding an air of nobility, and the table settings looked high-end, implying that those who dined here were senior officers of colonel rank or higher. At the end of the wooden table hung an oversized side portrait of the Empire's leader, Adolf Hitler, whose piercing eyes seemed to watch every diner.

Lin was awestruck, unsure why they had been led here. The guiding captain soon explained:

"Ladies and gentlemen, as newcomers to this place, you are honored with the privilege of dining with our esteemed base commander. Moreover, our illustrious Minister of Propaganda will also be present. Please take your seats on the right side."

Although the captain didn't specify, tradition dictated that Ziegenk and two captains sit in the center, with others seating themselves according to rank. Fortunately, with only about fifty people, Lin found himself near the center. The elegant table setting was appealing, and the food-serving staff were all attractive. Each place setting also included a goblet, and the young, beautiful servers filled them with red wine.

Lin's gaze passed over the vases and candlesticks to the two slightly larger chairs at the head of the table, likely reserved for the Minister of Propaganda and the base commander.

Though the food looked exquisite, like in the outer halls, no one started eating. Instead, they sat upright, apparently waiting for everyone to be seated. This didn't take long, as within minutes, Lin saw that only the food-serving staff remained in the aisle. Nearly a thousand soldiers were seated, and soon music filled the air—not the national anthem of the Third Reich, but the "Horst Wessel Song." Accompanied by the rousing melody, a dozen or so officers entered the hall, walking stiffly and solemnly to their seats. Lin immediately recognized the small, limping figure of Joseph Goebbels, dressed in a tan suit jacket with a red swastika armband, leading the way. Following him was a similarly short, gray-haired general with a prominent nose and a deep scar above his half-closed left eye, the right eye still sharp and piercing. His red collar tabs and gold shoulder epaulettes were vivid and distinguished, and he carried a glittering marshal's baton.

As these officers appeared, the sound of chairs moving filled the hall, and Lin, along with his comrades, quickly stood up, eyes wide as Goebbels and the marshal passed by. When the marshal turned to face them, Lin was startled—was this not the legendary "Desert Fox," Erwin Rommel?

Based on historical photos and black-and-white documentaries, Lin couldn't be sure, as Rommel should have been forced to commit suicide in 1944 after the failed assassination attempt on Hitler, with Germany even holding a state funeral for him. But the stunned murmurs around him suggested otherwise. Amid this strange atmosphere, Lin suddenly had a realization: if a doppelgänger could be arranged for the Führer to die in Berlin, could Rommel's death have been faked to deceive the world?

Various bold speculations filled his mind, leaving him momentarily dazed.

As the music ceased and the last footsteps halted, the entire hall fell silent. Any speaker could be heard clearly even without amplification.

After seating himself, Goebbels began: "Loyal warriors of Germany! On behalf of our great Führer, the Emperor of the Reich, I extend the highest respect for your fearless spirit and absolute loyalty! Each one of you selected for the 'Aryan Ark' project has undergone rigorous screening and examination. Thus, you are the elite of the elite of the Empire. Use your iron will and immortal spirit to guard our great leader for a thousand years!"

Despite Goebbels' impassioned speech, Lin's attention remained fixed on Rommel. After a few more words urging the soldiers not to believe erroneous enemy broadcasts and assuring them that German soldiers were still fighting, Goebbels concluded, and music resumed. The outer and second halls began eating, but the inner hall remained seated.

After Goebbels concluded his speech, melodious music filled the dining hall. The sounds of people seating themselves and moving their chairs followed, accompanied by the clinking of cutlery and plates. The officers and soldiers in the outer and second halls began eating, but those in the inner hall remained seated.

Finally, Rommel raised his glass, his one good eye scanning the fifty or so officers across the table. In a steady, powerful voice, he said, "Gentlemen! You may be surprised by my presence. I am Erwin Rommel, the base commander of the 'Sanctuary,' your loyal and reliable protector. This place, named the 'Sanctuary,' is both our refuge and a fortress to preserve the German spirit. On the battlefields of Europe, you fought bravely, shedding blood and risking your lives. You may be weary, exhausted, even fearful. But here, you can cast aside those worries, adjust your mindset, and recover your strength. We will bide our time, waiting for the enemy to lower their guard, waiting for the inevitable conflict between the two incompatible blocs, and then seize the opportunity to rise again!"

In a few brief sentences, Rommel cleared up Lin's biggest doubts, earning his newfound respect. It was not hard to foresee the US-Soviet rivalry, but it was remarkable for someone so involved to step back and calmly consider the distant future.

Rommel then announced, "To reward your loyalty and bravery, each of you will receive the Iron Cross and a one-rank promotion. You will be transferred from the regular army and SS units to the elite, sacred Imperial Guard. In this new, unique armed force, you will become airmen, soldiers, or sailors, equipped with the best weapons and receiving the best training. For our shared future, gentlemen, raise your glasses!"