11th December 1941

"Thank you, sir, no he doesn't I planned on addressing the subject this evening when he arrives... I've been thinking about dropping the height I fly over there once they've been dropped!"

A little surprised at this statement the Squadron Leader turned abruptly to face Robin,

"Do you know how high their flak fires commander?"

This question intern surprised the commander, obviously he knew how high, but not wanting to put a foot wrong he replied,

"Yes sir, about seventeen thousand feet!"

The Squadron Leader leans up against the window,

"And have you explained that to your vampire?"

Robin is starting to feel a little unsure of himself, 'why the hell is he now firing this at me?' He thinks to himself,

"No sir, I was waiting for, Ryan the lead vampire to arrive this evening to again address these issues... that is if of course it is alright with you sir?"

The Squadron Leader simply turns and while looking once again at the coming and going on the airfield he replied,

"Let me know, commander!"

Robin was left sitting there, still in the chair, looking at the back of the Squadron Leader's head, he wasn't exactly sure whether or not the meeting was over...finally he stood up,

"Yes sir, I will inform you tomorrow."

He then salutes the back to the boss followed with performing an about turn and marched out, all the time whilst performing said actions he was half expecting the Squadron Leader to turn towards the commander and ask,

"Where are you going commander?"

Luckily, this didn't occur so Robin was left to leave and prepare for the expected meeting later that evening.

Twenty-thirty hours Robin was sitting on the office block roof he sat on a canvas chair beside a very small fire, this may seem to have been too small to attract any attention, but Robin only wanted Ryan the lead vampire to see exactly where to go, any larger and the light could attract German attention,

"No one has bloody turned up Rob, you're sure it's tonight he's supposed to arrive?"

Robin jumped from his seat and turning about he saw Tom, who had been supposed to be waiting at the main gate. Robin glanced at his watch to double check on the time, he kicked the fire out and whilst turning toward his friend, Robin replied,

"I d'no, I suppose he did expect you to pick him up after all!"

As the commander finished his sentence he spotted the look of total surprise from Tom,

"Commander... er turn around sir!"

"Pardon Tom?"

The Flight Sargent just pointed a finger in response, Robin hadn't heard anything so he was now slightly confused, he stood in front of his friend,

"What are you doing Tom?"

The Flight Sargent was now looking quite pail, he moved his mouth and then finally whispered,

"Err commander ... look behind you... sir!!!"

The commander slowly turned wondering about what was about to meet his eyes,

"Sh... sorry hello Ryan, you're a bit late was beginning to think you weren't coming!"

The vampire was standing on the opposite side to where the chair and fire were, he looked towards Robin,

"Sorry, but I had coven matters to sort out!"

The commander stepped closer,

"Are you sure about this evening then... we can make it another night, just not too far off because the twelve of December is rapidly drawing near now?"

The lead vampire, Ryan smiled, he then respectfully nodded his head before answering,

"No, commander it is an agreeable time... what might I do for you now I am here?"

Robin led Ryan down and out the office building, Tommy taking up the rear of the procession, as they walked in the direction of the main hanger, Robin said to Ryan,

"Luckily for the mission Ryan, what I am about to show you is a secret at the moment and must remain so!!!"

Ryan didn't speak, instead he merely nodded his head and waved a hand to show that he understood the commander. Outside the hanger door, Robin turned to Ryan,

"This is our latest kite Ryan, it's known as Avro Lancaster!"

As he finished announcing the name, he pushed the hanger door open and allowed the vampire entrance into the actual area holding the plane. Ryan stepped into the hanger and he looked very impressed with the actual size of the plane,

"It's em a very large aeroplane commander!"

Robin smiled at the vampires obvious remark, then,

"Yes, she is, in fact, I tend to think that we'll only need one to fly the lot of you to our destination!"

Robin then led Ryan to the main hatch of the plane,

"It's a bit of a climb Ryan, there is a ladder which drops out of the main body!"

After opening the front hatch, Robin pulled the metal ladder and climbed up into the craft. Tommy who'd followed the pair stepped up and assisted Ryan, who was quite nimble.

After all, three, had entered the plane, Robin offered the communicator's seat to Ryan, once he sat down,

"Alright Ryan, I think we're quite secure here..."

Robin stopped mid-sentence he turned and pulled a piece of paper from the communicator's table, then looking back at Ryan,

"Have you decided just how many of your coven will be joining you on this mission?"

Ryan looked into Robin, he smiled then said,

"Just a moment commander, before I can answer you that, I need to know a few things..."

"Will you be landing, so we can have a return flight, and how high will you be dropping us once we reach the Reich Chancellery?"

Robin had to think about what he had to say, making sound the easiest and safest way for the vampire, in the end,

"You must know that Berlin has flak all around the city, these fire from thirty-eight to forty-six thousand feet, so until you're ready to drop we'll be above that, but when you're ready I'll drop the craft as low as I can..."

"Okay, we can work out a comfortable hight and speed, but what about your landing?"

Robin looked over toward his friend for a moment, he ready himself for the outburst,

"Honestly Ryan, there's nowhere where we can land, you must understand a kite this size takes quite an amount to get off the ground... but I can decrease our height and speed but instead of remaining over Berlin with all their lights and guns, I'll come back, but if we run into night fighters, I've my crew and kite to think about!"

Robin braised himself for what he thought was inevitable, but Ryan seemed as though he'd expected this as a response to his request,

"How slow can you make it then commander?"

'Shit I just knew he was gonna ask that!' Robin thought to himself, if the truth be known Robin was still working through the ins and outs of the plane and what to expect from it either loaded of not. Finally, Robin said,

"Well, my Flight engineer can back me here, but the speed we'll more than likely be flying is about two hundred and eighty, when we drop you, I can probably reduce the speed further, but Ryan, you have to remember less speed could force the craft to stall, if this occurs the craft will hit the ground!!!"

Ryan listened, then he quickly glanced toward Tommy for back up, Tommy merely nodded to reinforce the commander,

"Well, a little less would be better, I am sure if you'd return slower and as low as possible, we'll try to be as quick as we can!"

Ryan sat on the chair for the communication officer, suddenly he smiled and asked full of eagerness,

"I know commander, if I was to bring my coven members who are coming with me, could we do a practice type drop as the speed and height you expect to drop us, then we'll be able to say whether or not the entire thing is possible?"

Robin looked over at Tommy who gave a smaller smile and nodded his head,

"That's a great idea Ryan, I'll have to check with the Squadron Leader just for the go, but when?"

Two evenings later that week, with the Squadron Leader's blessing the commander met the thirteen vampires on the office roof, after sorting out where each was best suited the Lancaster took off just to fly a couple of loops around the airfield' to work out an agreeable height and speed that both, the commander and coven leader were relatively happy with, this took a few trips, luckily for the commander and his crew it was just a matter of slow, low flying whilst the cargo, vampires jumped through the bomb doors and then again entering the plane via the same method. After five drops Ryan was happy with everything, now it was just a matter of waiting for the twelfth of December and the actual mission.

In the meantime Robin and his crew went back on the active list, even though their mission could if successful finish the war much earlier than hoped for, the war remained and each crew was as vital as the next, one good thing for Robin, was being allowed to fly the Lancaster on that mission he was given the first Lancaster to reach the squadron, the entire team were more than happy with this, it even in the short period from the plane going fully on the active list, it was proving better than its predecessor in every respect.

Another aspect of Robin life which eased his nights was he'd heard from his kid brother, Harry, the young marine/commando had been away fighting in the Norwegian campaign, from what Harry had spoken to his brother about the job, which over the phone wasn't very much Robin had worked out that the entire mission had been more than difficult, it had been sort of a joint mission with the French and English, this again Robin got the impression that his brother didn't like that aspect, but the job had to be done and if the German's were stopped from obtaining the ore they required it could also reduce the length of the war, or make it that much more difficult for Hitler and his bods.

Even though Harry had been present at the birth of the idea of bombing the Reich Chancellery, things had progressed a lot since then, again Robin was unable to tell his brother about the mission.

Now it just a few weeks until the mission, Robin and his crew went back into performing missions with the rest of Squadron 44, they just prayed they'd remain alive. The vampires themselves continued doing as they'd always done up til then.

Whilst continuing with their war Commander Robin Mathews and his crew could only patiently wait and watch the weather, they already knew the German's were having it rough in Russia, the Third Reich hadn't expected the winter freeze, even now leading up to December it was the customary winter weather, but Russia's freeze was setting new records, the German soldier basically had their summer uniform, the coats were what they'd stolen from the Russian citizens.

The closer to the big day the weather in and around Europe, between Essex and Berlin, the wind was increasing, especially the nearer to Berlin the worst it became. The Squadron leader had Robin into his office for regular updates on the preparations for the job.

Robin found to his complete surprise, from the Middle of November, his crew and plane were put on emergency flights, this made it possible for both Robin and Stu' Smith able to adjust the side door for the vampires to pass through. The good thing Robin remarked was that the vampire only weapon was their mouths.

Tommy also had to take Robin to the coven nest a couple of times to discuss possible changes, these were to do with mainly the number of vampires expected to travel on the mission, at one point Nerya the queen of the coven started to ask if she might go along for the ride, this took both Robin and Ryan to dissuade her, Ryan had the perfect reply with the fact that the aeroplane was very oily upon hearing this the queen simply waved her hands and went back to doing what she'd previously been busy doing. When Robin turned to Ryan, he explained that Nerya was a typical royal vampire, she loved the taste and feel of the red stuff, but anything else was a big no, this promptly made the pair chuckle together. After calming Robin picked up his glass of wine,

"Ryan, all fooling about on the side, I am going to need a final head count today...we're having to fit seating into the bomb carriage because you can stand during the actual flight?"

Ryan nodded, he pushed his queen vampire from between his legs, he quietly said to her,

"Not now Nerya, I've gotta concentrate for a while!!!"

The queen grumbled a little but went to join the other females. Ryan sat and thought for a minute and then looking directly at the commander he said,

"How does fourteen sound commander... can you fit us all in?"

Robin pulled a floor plan of the Lancaster and together they worked out where the seating was to go,

"That's fine Ryan... now all you need to think about is the weather from the airfield to Berlin, the rest is my concern, but if you have any worries arising between now and the twelfth either phone or come to the airfield itself!"

The two stood and shook hands warmly.

"We're looking forward to the flight commander, if you don't hear from me, we'll see you at seven pm on the twelfth,

"Yes, Ryan and at the moment there isn't any mission from England that night, so we'll be the only ones up there!!!"

"That's great, we won't get in anybody's way".

Robin smiled, but then after a moment's thought he replies,

"This also means that we're going to have to skim the treetops, I don't want us to show up on their radar or Funkmeß as they named the device."

Ryan smiled then actually chuckled before stating,

"Oh, this is getting exciting!!!"

Robin just smiled, he shook his head, but whilst walking towards the doors, he turned back and said,

"Yeah, see you on the twelfth if not before!"

"Yes... stay safe".

Was the lead vampire's reply with a sly smirk.

After leaving the coven stronghold Tommy was driving the commander back to the airfield, Robin hadn't said a single word to his friend during the journey, Tommy knew something was bothering his oldest friend,

"Rob, fancy stopping off at Jane's pub for a beer before we go back on base?"

Robin looked up at his friend,

"Nar Tom, not this night!"

"Come on pal, what's with you tonight... did anything happen in that meeting?"

Robin smiled and shook his head,

"No mate, the next time we're due to meet is on the twelfth, it's just coming up pretty quickly..."

Robin paused and collected his thoughts, Tommy knew of old not to interrupt, instead he remain silent watching his friend,

"Tom, will Stu still be on base?"

"What Stu Smith?"

Robin nodded, he then answered.

"Yeah, that's the one?"

"I don't know, when we get back, I'll drive straight to the main hanger okay?"

"Yes, thanks!"

Tommy drove passed the car park, he continued to the main hanger as promised, as Robin climbed from the car he said,

"Go park the car Tom' I'll come to our quarters after I've had a look!!!"

Opening the hanger door, Robin called out,

"Stu, you still in here?"

The deafly silence was suddenly broken with,

"Yes, of course, I bloody well live here commander... what's up?"

Closing the entrance door Robin chuckled,

"Want a coffee Stu?"

By the time the lead engineer got around to answer the commander, Robin had already turned on the flame under the kettle,

"Have to have it black Rob, I used last of the milk this morning!"

Robin shook his head, he knew how forgetful the engineer was away from his work.

"There's gonna be thirteen to fit in the bomb bay on the twelfth, can you manage that number?"

Robin passed Stu his cup, half full with 'black' coffee,

"Yeah, that's not a problem... wanna see what I've already built, just need to clip it on board on the big night?"

"You're amazing Stu... but I need one more seat, can you fit it?"

The two men were looking over a false floor with four benches fixed and, on each bench, was fixed four seatings with a belt fixed either side of the seat,

"That looks great Stu, is it easy enough to fit aboard?"

"Yes sir, all we need do is open the bomb doors thread the base through the open space and then attach each bolt to their fittings that I'll fix to the planes frame a few days before the actual mission."

"Fantastic Stu... you will fit that extra seat, won't you?"

The chief engineer just smiled at Robin, he then nodded slowly. The two walked back to the engineers office, they drank the coffee's and visited for a few minutes.

After finishing his drink, Robin wished the engineer a good night, reminding him not to stay too late. Robin then left to return to his quarters on the base, these were usually only used when the crew were on active duty, but the commander and his crew were only on emergency fight duties, but the Squadron Leader still expected them.

Watching and listening to the weather leading up to the twelfth, they all heard about how bad the weather was in Russia, but even though in England it was cold, it remained much the same as usual, although the commander already knew about the lack of suitable uniforms the German soldiers were having to cope with, he was just pleased that the English command weren't as disorganised.

Luckily for Robin and the rest of crew leading from the beginning of December there wasn't any serious missions to worry too much about, because of the importance of the drop on the twelfth the Squadron Leader even granted the plane time for an overall, this gave the lead engineer time to fit and adjust the seating for their passengers, Robin paid interest in the finished product, because he said,

"Maybe not the same vampires, but if the first mission is as successful as hoped, if the seating can easily and securely fitted, then maybe they can repeat the same or similar style missions?"

Everybody was fully in agreement with the commander, Robin just had to ensure everything went right from his end.

The eleventh of December, the weather wasn't too bad, there was moderate winds and the odd shower, but nothing to worry the team with, luckily for Robin he and Jane were able to spend the entire day together. Even though it was war time, Robin took Jane to London zoo, even throughout the blitz the zoo had remained open, however for some reason all the poisonous animals had been put to sleep, this news was a little disappointing to Robin and Jane, but they had to agree,

London couldn't have venomous creatures roaming the streets had a bomb hit these animals keeps. After visiting the zoo, the couple had lunch in a nearby restaurant,

"It's nice to be a tourist for the day Robin, thanks for bringing me!!!"

"You're welcome my dear, now how about seeing what's playing at the nearest cinema or do you wanna make our way back home?"

Jane looked at her watch, it was only just gone two thirty pm, but she understood catching the train back home these day's wasn't an exact science... the German's had been shooting at trains, if they'd seen them whilst in the midst of a blitz bombing mission,

"It's just gone two thirty, it is still a little early, but if you think it best, we can go home... thank you for the trip and meal?"

Robin smiled, after taking a hold of Jane's hand he looked into her eyes quite playfully,

"We pass a picture house on the way back to the station, let's have a look and see what's on?"

Jane just smiled at Robin and she nodded her agreement.

As the couple walked along together hand in hand, Robin slowly leaned closer to Jane, he stopped just before actual contact and he blew into her ear being childlike once more, both chuckled.

They crossed a road seeing that the cinema was directly on the opposite side, as they crossed both red and digested what new movies were playing that week,

"Well, it's a lot of choice either a Western or a Musical comedy?"

Jane looked up toward Robin, she chuckled and said at the same time,

"Lot to choose from!!!"

"Don't forget there'll also be the usual war run down to add a little spice!"

"Who's in the Western then?"

"Em hold on..."

Robin stood in front of the poster and red out,