A Nazi U-boat protruding from the ice in Antarctica… A group willing to kill to keep its secrets…Zahra Kane is sent to investigate the World War II-era submersible on behalf of her new employer, the Tactical Archaeological Command. Inside, a coded document reveals a top-secret, subterranean facility deep in the desolate landscape. Accompanying the communique are the frozen remains of Allied and Axis superpowers.Both sides were working together on something sinister.The blank, icy canvas is transformed into a blood-red battlefield after the group responsible rises from the shadows and mobilizes a strike team to secure its long-lost research station, as well as a remnant far older than the Great Pyramid of Giza.Fans of Indiana Jones, Uncharted, and Tomb Raider love Zahra Kane!THE SIXTH SEAL is the second book in the action-packed Zahra Kane archaeological thriller series by international bestselling authors Nick Thacker and Matt James.
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Special Agent Dan Keller stood at the front of the floating dock. He watched men from Germany, the USSR, and even America load gear into a Nazi-era U-boat. The secret installation was being downsized to a skeleton crew until the rising conflict between East and West Germany subsided. Keller’s own country was nearly at war because of the Soviet’s presence in Cuba.
Politics was quickly dividing the organization responsible for creating the Antarctic facility. Funding had all but dried up. The three country’s governments had tightened up spending, preparing for the worst. This facility’s clandestine budget had been chopped repeatedly until it was mere morsels.
General Krause hobbled directly toward him. Agent Keller had been tasked by the U.S. Army’s Counterintelligence Corps (CIC) to oversee the mass exodus, but what they didn’t know was that he was also feeding men like Krause valuable intel. Keller’s very existence was predicated on being able to play everyone for something important.
And was too deep into it to stop.
Most of the men leaving were destined for America. The plan was to seamlessly assimilate them into military platforms as an extension of Operation Paperclip, a program that disbanded the year prior.
Following World War II, the United States began employing German scientists, engineers, and technicians, many of them former leaders within Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party. In total, more than 1,600 people were transported to America and employed between 1945 and 1959.
“Mr. Keller!” the old man shouted. “I must protest!”
Keller rolled his eyes. “Of course, you would, General. What is it now?”
Dietrich Krause was the heart and soul of this facility. He had birthed it with
Keller knew what went on inside to a degree. He’d only ever been given access to the upper levels of the facility. The multiple sub-levels had been strictly off limits, per Krause’s agreement with his contacts inside the military intelligence construct. That was fine with Keller too. He didn’t need to see anything. The lower-level mechanics and researchers happily talked about their work — work that truly frightened Keller.
Krause stepped up to the much taller American agent and sneered at him. He jabbed a gnarled finger Keller’s face. “I have been here for twenty-three years, Mr. Keller. You can’t do this! We are close, I can feel it!”
Keller snorted. “You’ve been saying that for years, General.” He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Typical. Too many promises and not enough results. Besides, I’m not the one pulling your people out of here. That’s from way above my paygrade.”
“Who must I speak with to reverse this awful decision?”
Keller smiled. “You know who… But even I don’t have clearance to speak with him face-to-face.”
Krause growled, then coughed. “This is unacceptable! Himmler and I gave this place life! I should be the one to say when we shut down.”
“You aren’t ‘shutting down,’ General. We’re simply pulling the most valuable assets until things slow down back home. Think of this as a much-needed vacation.”
“But—”
“Look, General, Himmler is gone,
Krause shrank away. “W-where will I go?”
“The States, of course. You still have plenty of friends there. Most people don’t know this, but America is still open for business. We could sure use a mind like yours.”
“But—”
“Berlin is burning, General, and the U.S. and Soviets are nearly at each other’s throats. The old ways are dead and gone. Most of this organization’s hierarchy is dead or on the run.” Keller placed his hands on each of Krause’s shoulders, looked the man in the eyes, and squeezed. “We are sprinting toward, yet another, world war. It’s only a matter of time until this place is discovered. This is your only chance at freedom, General.”
“But the Sixth Seal—”
“Is stretched thinner than a rotten rubber band. It’s on the verge of collapse. What we need right now is to lie low and recoup. We’ll be back, General. That’s a promise.” Keller stepped out of Krause’s way and held out his hand. “Come on. When we reach the States, I will do everything I can for you to get a formal sit-down. Shoot, maybe someone’ll even be crazy enough to listen to you!”
“Agent Keller!”
He looked over his shoulder and spotted Colonel Larionov quickly approaching. He gave the Russian a wave, then returned his attention to Krause.
“Better get moving, General.”
