trespassed on Soviet territory, and they must be interrogated at our headquarters in East Berlin." He motioned to his men. The rifles jerked back up instantly. He barked an order and started marching toward the parking area.
Hauer had no time to consult his superiors as to legalities, but he knew that allowing Russian soldiers to drag two of his fellow countrymen into the DDR without any semblance of a trial was something no West Berliner with an ounce of pride would do without a fight.
Glancing,around, he tried to gauge the sympathies of the NATO squads.
The Americans looked as if they might be with him, but Hauer knew he couldn't rely on that if it came to a fight. Force would probably be counterproductive in any case, he thought; it usually was. He'd have to try a different tack.
Five steps carried him to the departing Russian. He grasped the burly man by his tunic and spun him around.
"Listen, Sergeant," he whispered forcefully, "or Major or Colonel or whatever the hell you are. These man have committed no serious offense and they certainly pose no threat to the security of this site.
I suggest we search them, then book them into one of our stations just like anybody else. That way we keep the press out of it, understand?
Pravda?
izvestia? If you want to make an international incident out of this, you're quite welcome to do it, but you take full responsibility.
Am I clear?"
The Russian understood well enough, and for a moment he considered Hauer's suggestion. But the situation was not so simple now. He had gone too far to back down in front of his men. Ignoring Hauer, he turned to his squad.
"These men are suspected enemies of the Soviet Union!
They will remain'in Soviet custody until the objective of their mission has been determined! Corporal, put them aboard our bus!"
Furious but outgunned, Hauer thought quickly. He had dealt with Russian officers for more than twenty-five years, and all his experience had taught him one lesson: the communist system, inefficient as it was, had grown proficient at breeding one thing out of its citizens-individual initiative.
This Russian had to be reminded that his actions could have serious international implications. With two fingers Hauer removed his Walther from its holster and handed it to an astonished Weiss with a theatrical flourish. Again, the Soviet riflemen paused uncertainly, their eyes riveted on the unpredictable policeman.
"We have a stalemate, Comrade!" Hauer declared loudly.
"You wish to keep these men in Soviet custody? Very well!
You now stand on the only plot of Russian soil in West Berlin-an accident of history that will soon be rectified, I think. You may keep the prisoners here for as long as you wish-" The Russian slowed his march.
"-however crossing into the DDR with two citizens of the Federal Republic is an entirely different matter-a political matter-and quite beyond my power or yours to authorize. The prisoners must remain here until we have contacted our superior officers! I shall accompany you to the command trailer, where we can make the necessary calls." Hauer looked over his shoulder. "I would also suggest to the British sergeant that he join us, as we are in the British sector of the city."
Hauer started toward the trailer. He didn't intend to give the Russian time to argue. "Apfel!" he shouted. "Weiss!
Drive everyone back to the station, then go home! I'll handle the paperwork on this!"
"But Captain!" Weiss protested.
"Go! "
Hans grabbed Weiss's sleeve and pulled him toward the van. The dazed recruits followed, their eyes on Hauer as he marched toward the trailer.
The British sergeant, suddenly made aware of his responsibility, conferred with his men, a couple of whom restlessly fingered their Browning HiPower pistols.
Bristling with fury, the Russian ordered his men to follow Hauer with the prisoners. it made a strange parade.
Hauer had no time to consult his superiors as to legalities, but he knew that allowing Russian soldiers to drag two of his fellow countrymen into the DDR without any semblance of a trial was something no West Berliner with an ounce of pride would do without a fight.
Glancing,around, he tried to gauge the sympathies of the NATO squads.
The Americans looked as if they might be with him, but Hauer knew he couldn't rely on that if it came to a fight. Force would probably be counterproductive in any case, he thought; it usually was. He'd have to try a different tack.
Five steps carried him to the departing Russian. He grasped the burly man by his tunic and spun him around.
"Listen, Sergeant," he whispered forcefully, "or Major or Colonel or whatever the hell you are. These man have committed no serious offense and they certainly pose no threat to the security of this site.
I suggest we search them, then book them into one of our stations just like anybody else. That way we keep the press out of it, understand?
Pravda?
izvestia? If you want to make an international incident out of this, you're quite welcome to do it, but you take full responsibility.
Am I clear?"
The Russian understood well enough, and for a moment he considered Hauer's suggestion. But the situation was not so simple now. He had gone too far to back down in front of his men. Ignoring Hauer, he turned to his squad.
"These men are suspected enemies of the Soviet Union!
They will remain'in Soviet custody until the objective of their mission has been determined! Corporal, put them aboard our bus!"
Furious but outgunned, Hauer thought quickly. He had dealt with Russian officers for more than twenty-five years, and all his experience had taught him one lesson: the communist system, inefficient as it was, had grown proficient at breeding one thing out of its citizens-individual initiative.
This Russian had to be reminded that his actions could have serious international implications. With two fingers Hauer removed his Walther from its holster and handed it to an astonished Weiss with a theatrical flourish. Again, the Soviet riflemen paused uncertainly, their eyes riveted on the unpredictable policeman.
"We have a stalemate, Comrade!" Hauer declared loudly.
"You wish to keep these men in Soviet custody? Very well!
You now stand on the only plot of Russian soil in West Berlin-an accident of history that will soon be rectified, I think. You may keep the prisoners here for as long as you wish-" The Russian slowed his march.
"-however crossing into the DDR with two citizens of the Federal Republic is an entirely different matter-a political matter-and quite beyond my power or yours to authorize. The prisoners must remain here until we have contacted our superior officers! I shall accompany you to the command trailer, where we can make the necessary calls." Hauer looked over his shoulder. "I would also suggest to the British sergeant that he join us, as we are in the British sector of the city."
Hauer started toward the trailer. He didn't intend to give the Russian time to argue. "Apfel!" he shouted. "Weiss!
Drive everyone back to the station, then go home! I'll handle the paperwork on this!"
"But Captain!" Weiss protested.
"Go! "
Hans grabbed Weiss's sleeve and pulled him toward the van. The dazed recruits followed, their eyes on Hauer as he marched toward the trailer.
The British sergeant, suddenly made aware of his responsibility, conferred with his men, a couple of whom restlessly fingered their Browning HiPower pistols.
Bristling with fury, the Russian ordered his men to follow Hauer with the prisoners. it made a strange parade.
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