November 1943 Metz, France
Heil Hitlers were exchanged between Robert’s secretary and two officers.
“We are here to see Leutnant Johansson.” said the tall dark haired man with a swastika on his sleeve.
“Well sirs, he is busy in his office; let me send him a ring.” replied the secretary who pushed a small button.
Inside the officer Robert was shuffling through reports and intelligence on his newly assigned POW group. This time it was American pilots who had been shot down near Paris. As he began practicing his American styled accent his buzzer to his left, on the table, started buzzing.
“Come on in, oh Ich meine, sende ihnen darin. (I mean, send them in.) said the Leutnant as he switched back from his Americanized English to his primary language, German.
As he said that the door opened revealing to SS officers in their usual attire.
“Heil Hitler!” yelled the two.
“Heil Hitler” returned Robert. “What is your business here, is this about needing a witness to that shooting?" added Robert as he thought to himself sarcastically, {hat great honor graced me with their visit}
“We are here to give you news and orders sir.” said the taller SS officer.
“All three men involved with the shooting you reported were dealt with accordingly.” added the officer as he attempted to cover up the actuallity. What had happened was the three SS were plainly transferred to the eastern front (Poland) rather than arrested.
“That is good to hear; no German should ever stoop to such a barbaric act. We are supposed to be the greatest civilization in the world.” said Robert as he spun the globe in the corner until stopping it pointing at Germany.
“We also would like to inform you on your change of orders.” said the other officer who had no visible hair and a scar over his left eye.
“What are my new orders?” asked the Leutnant as he began to imagine the Parthenon and the temples of Greece.
“You are hereby promoted to the rank of Oberst, and are to be in Dregen, Austria within the week. “ announced the short, scarred man.
“What, I can’t just jump that many ranks? What would I be doing in Austria?” questioned Robert as he gave a perplexed look to the SS opposite his table.
“Orders are orders Oberst, we expect you there by Friday which is in two days. Pack up and get ready for a long stay.” said the stern SS officer as he pointed around the room.
November 1943 Dregen, Austria
“Sir, the Wehrmacht officer has gotten off the plane at the airfield.” said a short German soldier with his gun slung over his back.
“Good, phase one of the plan can commence very soon. Soldier, make sure that the Kettengrad is loaded for his trip.” replied Oberst Fransheim sitting behind his desk.
“Yes sir!” replied the soldier as he hurried back out of the office.
“This plan is foolproof.” Fransheim said to himself; “This German officer will lead a ghost division without knowing that it will allow us to acquire additional supplies.” he continued.
He then walked over to a small folder which lay on the desk near the door.
“If the local population of creatures attack and/or kill him, we then know we should just slaughter them. If they are indifferent or friendly, we shall manipulate them into helping us destroy them.” said the laughing SS Oberst as he grabbed a cigar from his desk container. “It’s too easy.”
Later
“Heil Hitler!” yelled four SS soldiers as Robert walked into the cave door.
“Heil Hitler, at ease men.” replied the newly promoted Oberst.
Robert received an escort to help him find his intended destination which was a large office with a massive banner outside the door. After being summoned from the inside of the room, Robert walked in to see who he was now working with.
“Heil Hitler!” they both took turns saying as they saluted one another.
“Oberst Johansson, it’s good to finally meet you. I am Oberst Fransheim of the SS, you are here on a special mission before your men arrive.” said the officer while he shook Robert’s hand.
“Hello, why do I have no troops to command at the momment? Plus what could I possibly need troops for, in the middle of Austria?” replied Robert as he scratched his chin and leaning on his good knee.
“We needed you for your skills with the English language and your experience in archeology.” replied Fransheim as he flipped close the folder in front of him.
“I took three classes in Britain for archeology; I’m not a archeologist or an English linguist.” added Robert as he attempted to remove himself from the situation. “I would suggest you find an actual archeologist and an English linguist if that’s your problem. I’m only useful nowadays behind a desk or interrogating POWs.” explained Robert as he began to feel a bit depressed from his current state.
“You are an Iron Cross holder, are you not?” said Fransheim as he pointed to the medal on Robert’s uniform.
“Yes I am, your point?” added Robert as he checked if his Iron Cross still was there.
“That’s why you are assigned this task, now follow me so you can get started.” responded Oberst Fransheim as he began shoving Robert out of the room.
“What’s the rush? I just got here and I was promised a good dinner when I arrived.” asked Oberst Johansson as he heard his grumbling stomach.
“All in good time, first you shall see your mission and then you shall receive your dinner. We'll feed you so well you'll think it's your last time on Earth.” said the laughing SS officer.
“Alright then." added Robert as he quirked his eyebrow. {odd phrasing for sure}
They began walking down the hall to a massive room labeled “Top Secret” (in German) and the door was opened leading to a large room with an archway the size of a tiger tank.
“What in God’s name is that, and how the hell is that top secret? It’s.... a big arch.” said Robert as he just looked dumbstruck at the massive arch.
“It is no ordinary archway, you see it can travel to places beyond ours.” replied the SS officer with an almost doctor-like voicing.
“Like the other side of the room? So I can see some steak and a table.” sarcastically replied the perturbed Robert as he walked to the arch and was gravely disappointed he saw nothing was behind it.
“No, like other worlds, new worlds to discover, explore and conquer.” said the SS officer.
“What was that last part?” asked Robert.
“Umm, I said discover, explore, and colonize.” said the SS officer as he mentally scrambled for another phrase.
“Oh, then how do help with this?” Robert replied as he started to get a better look at the arch.
“There are what appear to be English-like writings on ruins outside the archway’s other side.” informed Fransheim.
“Well I guess if it gets me far away from Hamburg.” Robert trailed off as he spoke.
"Good, then we shall discuss your mission over the steak you requested." grinned the SS officer.
The two walked to the mess hall and while eating Robert was briefed on the magnitude of going off-world. Unnoticed by Robert though, Fransheim grinned sinisterly throughout the conversation.
As Robert began walking back to his quarters he began to think about what had been happening. {This whole new world journey is fascinating and all, but I hope I do not have to work with this SS officer much.} He then arrived at his quarters and saw the three bags of clothes and personal objects {Well, at least they didn’t take them away from me with mysterious circumstances.} Robert then searched his bags to make sure he hadn’t lost anything due to the SS security. {They left everything alone except the toothpaste, I guess someone desperately wanted to clean his teeth} With a short chuckle, Robert went to his bed and went to sleep.
Ponyville, Equestria
“Fascinating, Spike come here you have got to see this.” said the purple pony with a smile.
“Yes, Twilight?” said the small dragon as he approached his motherly figure with a bit of annoyance. Seeing that Spike has been asked to check out every experiment Twilight attempted in solving the problem posed by the “bullet” for the past few weeks. “What is that?” said Spike as the baby dragon’s interest peaked.
“The bullet Spike, it is not from our world!” exclaimed Twilight as she held up the small object with her magic.
“What now, come again?” said the baby dragon as his mouth hit the floor.
“The residue on the bullet uses a substance that has never been seen by even Princess Celestia! You know what this means?” cheerfully yelled the purple pony.
“No sleep again?” Spike said with sarcasm.
“Yes, I mean no. We shall ask Princess Luna.” Twilight said as she packed a notebook into her saddlebag.
“Twilight, since Princess Luna is the younger of the sisters and was on the moon for a millennia, how could she possibly know more?” asked Spike as he was magically bombarded with three notebooks and a pen.
“Never hurts to be sure Spike. Just as Star Swirl the Bearded said in final magical suggestions book.” said Twilight as she began pulling books looking to find it.
“Alright, alright I’ll go, just don’t make me read another suggestion book.” Spike conceded in defeat.
As they turned to leave Pinkie came to the door. She began hopping up and down and then pulled an invitation for a party out of nowhere.
“Party time Twilight, it’s your ‘Leaving the Library Finally’ party!” said the pink blob of joy jumping over Spike and Twilight.
“I’m sorry Pinkie but I have matters to attend to.” Twilight said as she pushed Spike forward.
“You have to come Twilight. You’ve been hiding in there for at least two weeks.” Pinkie said while giving the cutest look she could muster.
“Argh, alright then Pinkie, I’ll go to the party and then I’ll take a train to Canterlot.”Twilight conceded.
“Okie dokey lokey, a train is fun, plus that rhymes with brain, and drain, and pain, and Wayne, and window pane, and………” Pinkie began to trail off as she hopped into the instance to Sugercube Corner.
With a facehoof the librarian and her relieved assistant dropped their books on the table near the door and went off to join their pink friend.
November 1943 Dregen, Austria
“The archway is going to get power very soon sir!” yelled a soldier with goggles on.
“Good, and the Kettengrad is ready?” replied the SS Oberst.
“Yes, it is ready to go sir.” responded another goggled soldier.
“How does this get powered Fransheim?” asked Robert as he came up behind him in a motorcyclist uniform.
“We steal the energy from the local cities or use lightning strikes. So don’t expect any help for a month.” replied the SS officer as he attempted to speak over the machinery at work.
“Alright, that’s interesting.” replied the now worried Robert. “This planet better have something to speak with!” he muttered to himself as he climbed on the Kettengrad.
“Good luck Oberst Johansson hope you brought enough books. You won’t need this though...” said the SS officer as he knocked the food container off the rear of the Kettengrad.
“What was that?” yelled Robert as he turned to see Oberst Fransheim.
“Good luck and enjoy your books!” yelled back the SS officer.
"Here goes it." Robert said as he hit the pedal and drove into the portal.
He arrived in massive ruins that appeared to be in some sort of old foyer. Deciding to move on he drove a bit farther north before getting to the edge of what appeared to be former main hall due to the fragments of colored glass he could see in what was left of windows.
“Time to set up shop. I guess I'm the new royalty.” laughed Robert as he got off his Kettengrad.
“I hereby claim this land, German!” he yelled causing a few birds to become startled. “Wow, they actually have birds like at home.” Robert commented to himself as he began to unload.
Back in Dregen
“May I ask sir?” asked an SS soldier as he peered down upon the now broken box of rations on the floor.
“Alright soldier, you must be curious about why we only sent the two barrels of gasoline behind him. Am I right?” inquired Oberst Fransheim as he kicked a ration into the box.
“Yes sir.” responded the soldier.
“Without food Robert will be forced into survival mode and meet the “locals” sooner.” said the SS officer with a smirk.
In Sugercube Corner
“Woh Pinkie what dance is that?” asked the rainbow maned cyan pony.
“This, this is another doozy from the Pinkie sense. Don't be a fraidy cat Rainbow Dash, they subside after a couple of hours.” replied Pinkie Pie as she shook like a leaf.
“You’ve had others?” questioned Twilight.
“Yeah silly, but they don’t seem to ever relate to anything. No big events have occurred and they all tell me they are at the old Royal home.” Pinkie said as she smiled and attempted to eat more cake.
“Well darling, this does not appear to be your, normal, Pinkie Sense. It seems far to different. ” Rarity said as she looked at Pinkie.
With a collective gasp the remaining five noticed Pinkie’s tail deflate.
“Hey, that’s new!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Okay girls, were going to get to the bottom of this.” Twilight said with authority.
“Ah say that is a good idea.” replied the orange pony.
"But I thought you had to head to the train, choo choo!" Pinkie said imitating a train engine.
"Pinkie, this is far more serious then bullet residue. It could even mean more evidence could be there." Twilight said as she took off her party hat. "Spike, watch the library while I'm gone."
"Alright, Twilight..." Spike said with a somber tone knowing his nap was further in the future now.
“Where’s Fluttershy?” asked Rainbow Dash noticing a certain lack of quiet speech.
“Ah don’t now, she must have gotten afrad of Pinkie’s shaken and went home.” Applejack responded.
“I guess your right Applejack.” said Rainbow Dash.
Everfree Forest
Walking alone in a pointed, star covered, hat walked a light blue pony pulling a cart with the words “The Great and Powerful Trixie” painted on the side along with a similairly styled cape hanging out of where the window was.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie should never have to do such menial labor. It is much too underneath her.” spoke the pony as she walked through the forest path. “Those stupid colts left me no choice; the Great and Powerful Trixie compliments nopony and no brute is going to pull my cart through mud." “Those neighsayers must had no knowledge of my stature for they were clearly dimwitted.” continued the stuck-up pony as she struggled to push forward with her cart.
“It’s all her fault, that Twilight Sparks or something like that.” angrily snorted the pony as she continued forward while the cart creaked. “If she hadn't shown me up, I would still be the premier showmare this side of Canterlot.”
Robert’s Basecamp
“Just like the SS to forget something…” angrily Robert said as he saw he held no food in any of his supplies. “I could have sworn when I checked it before I left… nevermind.” the off said with defeat.
“I could always hunt, but how would I bring it back here?” Robert said as he scratched his head. {maybe the Ket?}
"Maybe there's some wild berries or something along those lines?" again Robert said aloud before he thought {well it's a foreign planet, for all I know everything is poisoned}
The sound of wood creaking in the distance startled Robert at first but then with the sound echoing again his face lit up.
“Is that a wooden cart? Civilization! That may mean food!” exclaimed Robert as he jumped to his feet and grabbed his rifle and helmet from the wall near the tent he set up to be his HQ. Then he dashed off toward the noise.
Everfree Forest
After walking awhile Robert finally began to hear more than just the occasional creak of wood. There was English being spoken by some person in the distance.
“Hello!” Robert yelled hoping to gain the person’s attention.
Hearing a colt’s voice gave Trixie an idea.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie says greetings.” yelled back the light blue pony.
“I need directions to the nearest town please!” yelled Robert as he approached the cart, now a slightly larger dot in the distance.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie does not give directions to commoners without compensation!” replied Trixie with a loud voice but emphasis on compensation.
“I am no mere commoner,” {odd language, must be pre-Renaissance-era} “I am Oberst Robert Johansson of the German 24th Panzergrenadier Division.” yelled back Robert.
“Herman Infantry, never heard of them.” Trixie said to herself. “But he is a soldier so he is likely well built.” “Alright then, come here and I shall tell you your directions.” as she finished saying that she cursed to herself for not stating it in the third person.
“Alright just give me a minute.” yelled back the now aching officer. “Damned knee!” he angrily said to himself as he pressed forth to the carriage which said “The Great and Powerful Trixie”. “Wow, she must rival the SS in self-promotion.” Robert said with a chuckle.
Seeing an unknown creature in the distance startled Trixie but she decided to use her own superior intellect to trick this strange beast. “I am in the cart kind sir. Please make haste, the Great and Powerful Trixie’s show must go on." added the blue showmare as she prepared her sleeping powder.
“Coming, and nice horse! Facinating color.” Robert said as he could begin to see an odd colored horse near the front of the carriage. “She sure loves speaking of herself in the third person” he mumbled to himself as he arrived at the carriage.
“Just open up the door kind sir” Trixie said as she spoke into the small slide window in the front of the carriage.
“Alright then,” Robert said as he began unfastening the door hinge and stepping up into the carriage. “Umm, where are you? Robert said as he started searching the carriage.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie must not be seen, for I am a magician, all you may see is through small window at the front.” replied Trixie as she readied her powder for creature’s nose.
“Fine…..” Robert said as he began to become annoyed. “I’m here looking out the small window." he said with one hand on his pistol.
“I’ve got you now foul beast!” yelled Trixie as she tossed a mass of sleeping powder mistakenly on the eyes of the unsuspecting officer.
“F###! What the hell was that!” screamed Robert as he desperately tried to wipe out his eyes leaving his Luger in its holster.
With that Trixie jerked the carriage forward causing Robert to stumble backwards out of the carriage and to the ground with a large thump.
“Ow!” yelled Robert as his rifle flung off his back hitting a tree nearby.
“I’ve got you now!” Trixie yelled as she charged the beast ready to cuff it.
“Oh no, you don’t!” Robert said as he picked up a brown object in front of his vision. After noticing it wasn’t his rifle by the roughness and weight behind the wood, he deduced it was a stick. The light blue blur approached him and he swung and made contact with whatever was attempting to pursue him. The stick broke in half and the Great and Powerful Trixie lay unconscious to Robert’s side.
The now blinded officer stumbled to his feet and stared down upon the blue lump at his feet. “Dammit you bitch, you blinded me!” Robert yelled as he gave a swift kick to the blur on the ground. “Ow, I shouldn’t have kicked with that leg.” yelled Robert as he tried to find his rifle. "Maybe you should spend more time learning to fight, rather than matching your horse's mane to your costume!" he gloated as he finally got his hand on his rifle.
"You are lucky I don't just shoot people little lady." Robert said re-slinging his rifle over his back.
Robert then headed off partially confused and sedated, toward what he thought was his camp to the south. But instead he was in fact heading north.