Plots and Plans

Plots and Plans

ROCKS! BOULDERS! MORE ROCKS! MORE BOULDERS! ROLLS OF THUNDER!

BOLTS OF LIGHTENING! Sean Donovan, Captain, United States Marine Corp, pushed onward

and upward despite the blinding rain storm. Hiking was his passion, his mistress. His plans for this

weekend included a hike to the Nickajack Caves in Marion Country, Tennessee. The blinding rain storm was nothing to be alarmed about however when the wind and hail began in earnest he decided to seek shelter immediately. He stumbled, groping his way toward a cave entrance, almost hidden from sight. He switched on his LDS flashlight. The slate gray, jagged rocks caused him to slide on what appeared to be moss, of some type. Suddenly, he felt himself being propelled through space. He saw only black as he descended through what he thought could be a black hole. The sensation of falling reminded him of Alice Through the Looking Glass, or so he thought. When his descent was complete, he struggled to his feet, his flashlight lost, he groped his way toward what he hoped was an entrance. He was thoroughly disoriented. He had no concept of where he was. He pinched his bicep; he was alive. He crept slowly along the rocky wall, he could feel the jagged pieces of rock. Black as night, he continued on. He stopped when he heard voices from the next chamber.

“Admiral, in English please, my German is not very good.”

He peered around the corner noting two men, one silver haired with a Abwher uniform, the other with thinning dark hair. He continued to listen:

“I apologize Colonel Donovan, my English is not very goot either but we must attempt to

converse. I vish you to understand I am a goot German. Hitler is a mad man intent

upon destroying Germany. We must end his reign of terror. There are a group of men in the

Wehrmact that are willing to die to free Germany of Hitler. It is vital that the United

States aide us in this plot, Hitler must die; in order for Germany to survive. The only

thing we vish is an honorable peace with Allies. It is Germany's only hope to survive.

Colonel “Wild Bill” Donovan, mulledover what Admiral Canaris had just said, this could help end the war with Germany. With that thought in mind, Donovan looked directly at the Admiral:

“Admiral, I admire your courage coming here to meet me, my resources are limited, I have

no idea how Franklin will take this, and I don't think we should waste time debating. What

exactly is it that you need?”

Admiral Canaris, was not surprised, he knew Donovan's reputation as a fair man. Canaris began:

“We need an explosive expert, one that can build a bomb. Our only hope is to kill Hitler

in an explosion. We hope doing this we escape with our lives. Himmler suspects me but

thus far he has no proof. If I am caught I will be tried for treason and sent to a concentration

camp.”

Donovan wanted to ask about the concentration camps, there had been rumors but no facts.

For the first time since this ordeal had begun, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris saw a glimmer

of hope. Right at the correct moment, Sean Donovan appeared seemingly from no where; taking both the Admiral and Colonel by surprise.

“Captain Sean Donovan, reporting for duty Colonel, sir.”

His voice reverberating inside the cave. Colonel “Wild” Bill Donovan his eyebrows raised, studied the young man standing in front of him, he felt as if he were looking at himself when he was younger and

in his prime. Admiral Canaris, stood quietly staring at the two men in front of him. He could not help but notice how much alike they looked.

“Who in the hell are you Captain? What are you doing here? No one knew about this meeting

except myself and the Admrial, even the President doesn't know I am here!”

His voice rising in agitation, he glared at Sean.

“Ah, Colonel Donovan, Sir, with all due respect are you speaking about President Obama?”

Now it was Donovan's turn to glare at Sean, as he resounded:

“No Captain, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Who in the hell is Barack Obama?”

The admiral could barely understand and was becoming more confused and frustrated by the moment.

Donovan looked at his great grandson as he stumbled over his words:

“No, Captain this is 1943, Franklin Roosevelt in President.”

Sean, in as clear a voice as he could muster:

“No, sir it is 2016 and Barack Obama is President.”

Both their voices echoed through the cave as Admiral Canaris, who was taken aback spoke:

“It is one of two things Colonel Donovan, he is either a spy or a time traveler or

perhaps both. However, we must conclude our business now, there is submarine

waiting off the coast to return me to Germany. I need your answer now Colonel”

Donovan had already made his decision:

“We can help you Admiral, hell I admire your courage and tenacity. You have placed yourself

in danger to try to save Germany. I will fly back and talk to Franklin today. I am sure

he will give you whatever you require to make this plot work. Also, Admiral, what terms

of surrender would be acceptable to Germany?”

Admiral Canaris, faced Donovan:

“Our terms are an honorable peace. We can not reach any peace until Hitler is

dead. It is the only sane thing Germans can do.”

Sean, now realized he had somehow dropped into World War Two; these men were Colonel

“Wild” Bill Donovan, his great grandfather and Admiral Wilhelm Canaris of the Abwher. He was

shocked to discover these two men were discussing assassinating Hitler so Germany could surrender peacefully. He broke into the conversation:

“excuse me sirs, but if this really is 1943, then the knowledge that I have; history could be

altered. I graduated from Annapolis in 2014, the strategies I learned could help keep

Admiral Canaris alive. April 30^th, 1945 Adolph Hitler and his wife Eva Braun committed

suicide. May 8^th, 1945, the Germans surrendered. The atomic bomb was dropped on

Hiroshima on August 8^th, 1945. August 14^th, 1945 Japan surrendered. There have been

two police actions, Korea and Vietnam. There have also been two wars in the Middle

East: Desert Storm and The Iraqi War, which continues as we speak. I know that if I find this

difficult to understand; how I got here you, both of you must be even more confused. I don't

know if I am a time traveler, per say, all I do know is that I fell into a small cave in the

Nickajack area of Tennessee, and now I find myself speaking to my great grandfather and a

German Admiral, who will die at the hands of the Nazi's along with so many others. However,

since I am here, please allow me to aide both of you.”

Donovan, who was never at a loss for words stared blankly at Canaris, who returned his stare. Canaris, in a very quite voice asked:

“what happened to the men who plotted against Hitler, did they escape with their lives?”

Sean felt nauseous, as he thought about the answer he was about to give:

“Operation Valkyrie, was put into action by Colonel Claus von Stauffenburg, he was shot.

His wife was sent to Ravensbruck, his children sent to a children's home. General Henning

Von Tresckow committed suicide, he made it look as if he were attacked by partisans, he

actually put a hand grenade under his chin and detonated it, he was the master mind of

Valkyrie. Admiral Canaris, I don't exactly know how to say this but you survived to

almost the liberation of Flossburg Concentration Camp. Admiral, forgive me but you were

hung with piano wire, to make your death painful along with General Hans Oster, General Karl

Sack, Reverend Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Ludwig Gehre.”

Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, his blue eyes as wide as the Atlantic Ocean gasped audibly:

“Captain are you quite sure of your facts?”

Sean felt as if he had known the Admiral for years instead of only minutes:

“Yes sir, I am. I realize this is quite a shock but if you are forewarned you can change the

plan. Colonel von Stauffenburg requires explosives that will detonate quickly, that is

the reason that Valkyrie failed, the explosives weren't put together properly. I am a demolition

expert, I am a SEAL.”

“Wild” Bill Donovan, looked at his great grandson, this interloper cautiously before he responded:

“Okay Captain, what in the hell is a SEAL, other than a sea animal? You have my

attention so I suggest you make use of your time wisely.”

Sean, began to turn over in his mind, exactly how to explain a SEAL.

“I am the equivalent of a Navy Frogman, SEAL is an acronym for Sea, Air, Land.

We fight on all quarters.”

That part Donovan and Canaris understood, as Sean continued:

“Colonel Donovan, Admiral Canaris, I know that I can help. I

can build a better bomb than the one Colonel von Stauffenburg took to the Wolf's Lair.

Let me assure you both that if you want Hitler dead, a better bomb must be built. Hitler

walked away from that bomb but it cost the lives of Colonel von Stauffenburg, his aide

Werner von Haeften, who accompanied him to the conference. They were shot

21 July, 1944. Historically, the plot later became known as the Briefcase Bomb Plot.

I speak fluent German, if I may have your permission Colonel Donovan, I will

accompany Admiral Canairs on his return to Germany.”

Donovan conferred with Canaris, then stated in a gruff voice:

“All right Captain, we are both agreeable. The question is, can you return from where ever

you came from with the Admiral. I think we can entrust the Admiral's life with you.”

Donovan, shook his head. He was still confused but if there was even a remote chance that Canaris could be saved, he was willing to try it. Donovan, was not thrilled with his great grandson but the more the young Captain spoke the more he came to understand this was the only chance for the plot to work.

“All right Captain, this had better work, or you and the rest of the plotters are dead men.”

Canaris, normally a shy man spoke eloquently:

“I believe dis young man and all he has said. I think I am villing to trust him. The

sooner I return from Spain the quicker this matter will be settled.”

Donovan nodded, although still not convinced. He had no doubt however that Captain Sean Donovan was his great grandson, seeing him was like peering into a mirror image of himself at that age. Donovan considered what he was about to say:

“Sean, are you sure you will be able to take those men back to a future time? Their safety

as well as yours depend upon it.”

Sean simply nodded his head yes. Canaris in the mean time thought about getting him a German Naval uniform.

“Kaptain, you vill need a uniform, a Kreigsmarine uniform. The uboat that is returning

me to Germany, the kaptain, is a very good friend of mine, we served together many years

ago. He should be able to help. Until such time, ve vill need a very good story of how I

vent to a meeting and came back with an aide. But that I fear is the least of our problems.”

“Wild” Bill Donovan, wished them luck. He then left the cave outside Madrid Spain. The “Gooney Bird” would return him to Washington D.C., where he planned to talk to FDR first thing in the

morning. Donovan, closed his eyes and fell promptly asleep.

Sean and Admiral Canaris, remained inside the cave waiting for nightfall, when U235, would take them back to Germany and whatever fate had in store for them. Admiral Canaris had so many questions he wanted to ask Sean, but somehow they seemed inconsequential at the present time. The only thing of importance, was getting aboard the submarine and returning to Germany before he had to explain why he was not in his office for three days, it would be five before he returned. He would do what he always did, lie to protect himself, the Abwehr and now Sean Donovan. Just as the last light of day was upon them, the crimson sun setting, there was the black outline of the U235.

“Sean, let me do the talking ja? Kaptain Ulrich Arensodorf is the skipper of U235. He is

a man we can trust. I vill explain to him that you are my new adjutant, and that you are in

need of a new uniform, your other was destroyed in a brawl. Ulrich, vill not ask questions.

He should have at least one extra uniform. You are both about the same build. Ulrich,

surprised all of us when he joined the Kreigsmarine and became a uboat Kaptain. Ah,

well, that is just one of the strange things that happens in the armed forces of Germany.”

With that statement, the sub flashed a light twice, telling Admiral Canaris that he was sending a raft to bring him to the uboat. The kaptain, kept a sharp look out as the boatswain made his way in the raft, toward shore. The Admiral and Sean clambered into the raft. They were on the uboat fifteen minutes later. Kaptain Arensdorf saluted the admiral then gave him a big bear hug:

“All vent vell Wilhelm? Who is dis young man?”

Admiral Canaris, never missed a beat:

“This is my new aide, Kaptain Heinrich Schmidt, he will be accompanying me to Bremerhaven.

The reason he is dressed as he is, his other uniform was in tatters after a brawl. You remember

from our younger days.”

Ulrich remembered, clearly, his nose had been broken in one brawl.

“I can lend him my other uniform, I am afraid it vill be sometime before I require a dress

uniform again. Hitler is a mad man, he has ordered all uboats available to patrol off the

eastern coast of the United States. Ve can not defeat the United States, ve are losing

the var Wilhelm.”

Admiral Canaris, knew his old friend was right. The problem was convincing the German population in general.

Sean sat in the Kaptain's cabin, wondering how he was going to get back to his time. There were so many scenarios that were playing through his mind. He could almost picture U235 being sunk, or being captured by the SS with Admiral Canaris in Germany. He knew he had to collect his thoughts and concentrate on the problem at hand. He knew he could find the cave, the question was, once in the cave would they be able to go through the portal of time Sean had come through or just what the situation was going to be.

After the introductions, Admiral Canaris urged Sean to stay out of sight as much as possible, since it was quite possible that there was an SS informant abroad. Sean, quickly nodded his head in agreement. He was still attempting to acquire his “sea legs”. Once in the Kaptain's cabin, Sean began to think: 'do I have the right to change history, to save these mens' lives, what about their wives and children. No one was safe from the SS, and Heinrich Himmler. Sean had seen an old dossier on Himmler, it had scared him. He thought of the heinous crimes committed against humanity while Himmler and Hitler were in power. Changing history was not the wisest thing anyone could do, but in this instance, Sean thought it was for the best.

The cabin door open quietly as Kaptain Ulrich Arensdorf entered his cabin, speaking as softly as he could to Sean:

“Kaptain, I vas vondering if perhaps you could take the Con for a few hours. I need to get a

bit of sleep.”

Sean, though reluctant, was a SEAL not a submariner, especially not a commander, but there was no choice in the matter. Admiral Canaris, had used the ruse of his being a Kaptain, so Kaptain he was. Sean rose from the bunk and began heading toward the Con. Sean, at six feet two inches was considered to tall for submarine duty but here he was. He walked out of the Kaptain's cabin, and began going through the hatches. He hit his head several times raising nasty looking bumps. Sean thought to himself: 'I am a SEAL, on land I can be as graceful as a ballerina, on this sub, I am about as graceful as an elephant with its foot stuck in the muck. These guys must be midgets to go through these hatches as quickly as they do. Just then, the claxton, sounded. Sean began to put some speed into his steps. Whatever this was, it wasn't good. Sean ordered up periscope, what he saw he was not prepared for. There in his cross hairs was a United States carrier group. He sure as hell, could not sink one of his own country's ships. He looked at the XO, and asked him to bring the Admiral to the bridge immediately. The XO found the Admiral sitting in the ward room with a cup of coffee:

“Admiral Canaris, the Kaptain, requests your presence on the bridge immediately.”

The admiral gave the XO a glare and moved toward the CON. When he saw Sean standing there, staring out the periscope he asked quietly:

“Vhat is it Kaptain, you look as if you have seen a ghost.”

Sean, then informed him of the Carrier group that was over their heads at the moment:

“I am afraid that if I fire torpedoes they will drop depth charges, it won't be pretty.

At the moment they have not detected us. What is your recommendation Admiral?”

Canaris, thought for several moments before answering:

“I think your idea is a goot one Kaptain, the best thing to do is to evade the convoy.

Ve do not vant them to know ve are here.”

They took the U Boat down to five hundred feet, leveled it, then waited. Sean knew that the longest they could stay down was forty eight hours, he hoped that they would not be detected by the American carrier group. Sean could feel the sweat running down his face and back. The biggest problem was setting a course, to get away from the carrier group, quickly as possible, more importantly undetected.

Once the danger passed over them, the U235 left the area, on course for Wilhelmhaven Germany. Sean had taken a quick look at the maps and determined that Wilhelmhaven was the safest place for himself and Admiral Canaris to disembark the U235. He suggested that to the Admiral, pointing out that Jade Bight Bay was the best place for the U235 to put them ashore, on a small rubber raft that the Kaptain had showed them, it was the same one Canaris had used to disembark in Spain. Kaptain Arensdorf arrived on the Con to find that Sean had taken evasive action and U235 was headed for Wilhelmhaven, where they would disembark. Admiral Canaris advised Sean that he would have someone pick them up but how were they going to get to Bremenhaven? Sean, told the Admiral, it would be a long hike. The admiral replied 'it would not necessary to walk, the U235 would contact his contact in Bremehaven.

Sean and the Admiral both decided they needed some sleep after the U235 was once again on her course. They stopped at Sean's cabin that he shared with the Kaptain:

“Once the sub has surfaced Heinrich, we vill paddle into the Bay. Ve vill have to pull the raft

onto dry land, it must be hidden. I have arranged for Colonel Claus von Staffenburg

to drive us in my private car. From here on it will become a cat and mouse game with

Himmler.”

Sean, knew that Himmler was the most dangerous of the Nazi's, he certainly had Hitler's ear. There wasn't much Sean could say:

“Okay Admiral, from here on we do this your way, until the bomb is built and on its way

to the Wolf's Lair.”

Canaris was in full agreement:

“Now, ve must rest, ve vill be near the bay tomorrow night at 00:00. Ve vill go under the

cover of night, Arensdorf, has black sweaters and peacoats that ve vill use.”

The next day, Sunday, June 1, U235 arrived at her destination. Arensdorf, ordered up periscope, he looked quickly around. No other ships in the area, all was clear for the Admiral and Sean to go.

Sean paddled toward shore. Suddenly he heard the roar of a Messerschmidt it was almost overhead. He quickly pushed the Admiral under a blanket that was on the raft. He continued to paddle, and wave, hoping that the pilot was not looking for them. The pilot wagged his wings and flew on. Sean could barely breathe, he undercoved the admiral and apologized.

The admiral, explained to Sean that as long as he waved at the pilot, the pilot would assume that all was well and continue on. It was a scout plane, that flew every few hours over the bay. Finally, they arrived on shore. They pulled the raft onto shore. The admiral led Sean over to a pile of rocks in front of a cave. They put in the raft and quickly covered it. The admiral knew it would be safe there.

The waited in the shelter of the trees for the sound of a motor. Shortly afterward, they heard a motor:

“Sean, that should be my staff car, however ve will wait and be sure before ve leave our

hiding spot.”

Sean, saw the Mercedes Benz Cabriolet D. He recognized the driver but decided to wait before saying anything. The Mercedes pulled up to the trees where they were hidden. The admiral went out first, the motioned Sean. The car lurched forward and they headed toward Bremerhaven, where they would rest for the night. The following morning they would leave for Berlin, and the admiral's office.

Quiet prevailed until Admiral Canaris spoke:

“Claus, did you check this car throughly before signing it out?”

Sean, thought: 'that Claus looks a great deal like Claus von Stauffenburg.' Before Sean could get the words out the admiral smiled:

“Ah Sean, I see by the look on your face you have discovered who our driver is. Claus I vould

like you to meet Kaptain Heinrich Schmidt, my new adjutant. He vill build the bomb you

vill take to the Wolf's Lair. He is an explosives expert.”

Claus von Stauffenburg, smiled, his blue eyes lit up like two strobes. Sean, was surprised he was so congenial, after loosing his arm, he wondered if that was why Stauffenburg, was so willing to be a part of this gamble. He knew he could not ask, but he could not help wondering. The Colonel, did not ask questions but drove on into the night. Bremerhaven, with all the sub pens for the uboats, was much the way Sean had pictured it. Their hotel was in a very remote area of Bremerhaven. The accomdations were old world. The linen was clean, the suite well ordered and the food was good, although Sean was never a fan of wienerschnitzel, this tasted very good to him. The following morning, the Mercedes, once again was pulled up to the front of the hotel. The Admiral and Sean/Heinrich entered. Colonel Claus von Stauffenburg, drove toward Berlin. Once outside of Bremerhaven, von Stauffenburg stopped the Mercedes:

“before we go any further, ve need to check the car over to be sure there are no explosives

under the car and the car does not have a spying device.”

Sean, got out, his Kreigsmarine uniform neatly pressed, he thought about Kaptain Arensdorf's warning, to be extrememly careful, and to trust no one. Colonel von Stauffenburg, rolled under the Mercedes, checking for wires or explosives, the car was clean. All three men sighed a sigh of relief. They continued their journey to Berlin. Sean explained what he required of the Colonel, who then said he would obtain everything necessary.

The morning of July 20^th, 1944 the sun shone, and the conspirators took that as a good omen. Sean drove the Mercedes Benz while he once again gave von Stauffenburg instructions, and where he was to go once the bombs were detonated. Sean's biggest fear was that Himmler was hot on his heels. Once the bomb was detonated, von Stauffenburg, Sean and Admiral Canaris would drive toward the Port of Ueckermunde, where the Admiral's old friend Arensdorf would be waiting out in the Baltic. Once on U235 they would arrive off the coast of Spain, travel inland to the cave where Sean became a sort of time traveler. Colonel Claus von Stauffenburg readied himself. Admiral Canaris, and Sean waited patiently and said silent prayers that there were no complications. The Mercedes idled just off the main road. There was a loud boom, men began running out of the meeting, blood running freely. Von Stauffenburg arrived, jumped into the car and yelled:

“Go, go, Hitler was motionless. The SS is not going to be to far behind. Ve must

get out of here now.”

Sean hit the gas pedal and the Mercedes exited onto the main road, dirt and dust flying as the car accelerated to almost 100mph. Sean headed in the direction of Port Uekermunde, praying that Kaptain Arensdorf would be there waiting. They had a signal worked out with one blink of the head lights meaning it was clear two blinks meant to clear out they would have to try some other place. Arensdorf's sub the U235 had been retired from service in 1943, along with the Kaptain. Admiral Canaris, had spoken to his old friend and helped him to keep U 235 in service, under the guise that it was still needed for short patrols. They rounded the last bend before the port when the first reports of Hitlers assassination came over the airways:

“It is with true sadness we inform the German people our beloved leader Adolph Hitler was

assassinated this afternoon. There is no more information at

the present time.”

Sean, felt as if his world had just been changed along with the other two men in the car. The sub surfaced at dusk. Sean blinked the headlights; once again a raft was lowered from the sub. A yeoman paddled the short distance to where the three men waited. No exchange of words took place. The men quickly climbed on board the U235 and she submerged.

Once on board, Arensdorf, asked the admiral if he knew Hitler was dead. The Admiral nodded, yes he did. Arensdorf, headed on the coordinates that Sean gave him. Three days and one convoy later, they arrived off the coast of Spain. Arensdorf ordered:

“Up periscope”

He saw one S boot and quickly ordered the sub down hoping they had not noticed the periscope. Arensdorf motioned the admiral to the periscope:

“Wilhelm, where did the S boot come from? I thought they were supposed to support

the North Atlantic fleet. Once it is dark ve vill torpedo the S boot. I know we are

taking a huge risk but if we don't sink it, it vill sink us. Thus far we have not been

detected, and ve must remain that vay.”

Admiral Canaris, nodded his agreement. The U235 sat at five hundred feet, waiting for darkness

to settle in. at 00:00 they rose to 250 feet swung around and fired from the stern. Moments later the S boot sunk. Rapidly, the raft was put over the side and the three men paddled toward shore. They pulled the small raft ashore. They began to make their way on foot to the toward the mountain where they would enter a cave. Once inside the cave it was up to Sean to find the correct passage.

Sean spotted the mouth of the cave, and the men quickly went in. Sirens began to blare, they knew they had been seen. The question was, was it the Francoist police or the SS. Sean began to move at a faster pace, the other two were right on his heels. There on the far side was what Sean recognized as the spot he entered from the Nickajack cave he had left. He felt along the wall, then an apparition appeared, almost like a waterfall. Sean entered first, followed by Admiral Canaris then Colonel von Stauffenburg. They felt their bodies being propelled through a time continuum. Just as the portal closed, the SS entered the cave. The men were gone and the SS came up empty handed.

Once they arrived in the Nickajack cave, Sean quickly changed from his uniform into the extra civilian clothes he had brought along. He hiked out of the cave leaving the two Germans to wait there while he went to get them clothes. It took Sean a little less than an hour. He had rented a Chevy pickup truck. He entered the cave and handed jeans, t shirts and sneakers and socks to the two men. The Admiral was appalled at what Sean had brought, von Stauffenburg questioned the shoes. Sean explained that they would blend in better if they looked like men from the twenty first century.

Later that day they left for Washington DC, Sean had phoned his commander, who decided Sean had been out in the sun to long or had sun stroke, the story made no sense.

Commander John Pridemore, sat quietly in his office, when his yeoman called through the door that Captain Sean Donovan had arrived. Sean entered first followed by a wide eyed Admiral Canaris, and an equally as wide eyed Colonel Claus von Stauffenburg. Pridemore, never one to beat around the bush took one look at the two Germans standing there:

“Holy crap, that really is Admiral Wilhelm Canaris and Colonel Claus von Stauffenburg. Sean

I guess you changed history, although it will never be known. Admiral, Colonel you will be

given new identities, you will be in protective custody until we can work you into a place

where you will be happy here in the states.”

The two Germans were still reeling from their sudden journey, now they found themselves safe in another century. The admiral asked Pridemore if he was safe here, the SS would not deport him. Pridemore, informed him that after World War II, the SS was disbanded. Germany had lost the war.

Claus Von Stauffenburg returned to Germany; he could not even bury her. The children disappeared without a trace from the orphanage where they had been sent. Claus Von Stauffenburg, once again returned to the United States. Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, became a benefactor for Claus Von Stauffenburg. They lived together quietly both men knew they had cheated death and changed history.

Captain Sean Donovan, USMC went on to become a senator. His life very different from the one he imagined when he went through the Nickajack continuum. He often thought of the day he met his grandfather in that cave. He glanced at his watch, it was time for him to go visit the Admiral and Colonel, then home for dinner