Lycanthropos by Jeffrey Sackett Page A

contrast to Hitler’s Aryan ideal, Propaganda Minister Josef Goebbels was short, olive-skinned, dark-haired, and dark-eyed. After much contemplation, Festhaller created a separate classification for Goebbels, who was then officially recorded as being a Nachgedunkelte Schrumpfgermane , a dwarf-like germanic who darkened.
    Himmler was wondering what Festhaller would make of Janos Kaldy.
    Schlacht waited expectantly for Himmler’s opening remarks to Festhaller. He knew from long experience that the S.S. chief had a tendency to open discussions in one of two ways, either by expressing an opinion on a subject or by soliciting the opinions of others before expressing his own. If Himmler began by telling Festhaller what he believed about the subject of this impromptu conference, it would mean that he had already made up his mind on the issue and was merely calling upon a pliant subordinate to agree with him. Schlacht was hoping for the other alternative: a request for evaluation and analysis.
    "Colonel Schlacht has brought me a reel of film, Herr Professor," Himmler said. "It is a record of a most unusual event involving a Gypsy." He paused, and Schlacht held his breath. "I want you to watch it and give me your opinion."
    Schlacht heaved a sigh of relief as the projector was once more switched on and the film was shown for yet a third time. It is not necessary for the Reichsführer fully to believe , he told himself. As long as he recognizes that there is something here that warrants investigation, I will have succeeded; and from that point on, the logic will carry us to my final goal .
    When the lights were turned back on, Schlacht was pleased to see Festhaller gaping in astonishment at what he had just seen. The Party’s race expert removed his thick wire-rimmed glasses and wiped his brow with a gray handkerchief. There was a quality to Festhaller which Schlacht found repulsive. Perhaps it was the perpetual sheen of grease and sweat upon the rolls of fat, or perhaps it was the way in which the small eyes were enveloped by the flesh of his cheeks when he smiled. Whatever Festhaller’s racial background might be, and Schlacht did not doubt that it was pure, the professor was nonetheless far from the Aryan physical ideal. But Schlacht reminded himself that this fat pig had friends in high places, and would be a valuable ally if an ally were needed. Himmler allowed the professor a few moments in which to compose himself, and then asked. "Well? Is it possible?"
    Festhaller cleared his throat. "You will pardon me for asking this, Herr Reichsführer , but is there any possibility that this film has been tampered with, falsified in some way?"
    Himmler looked at Schlacht for a response, and the Colonel shook his head vigorously. "Absolutely not, Herr Professor. I myself was present at the events you just saw, and the film was shot and developed under my supervision."
    Festhaller nodded and pursed his lips contemplatively. He knew Schlacht quite well, professionally, of course, not personally, and he had no doubts about the Colonel’s devotion to the awesome task of the racial purification of Europe . "In that case, Herr Reichsführer , I can only reply that it is impossible but obviously true."
    Himmler’s face betrayed nothing. "Any speculations, Herr Professor?"
    Festhaller’s brow furrowed as he replied, "There are analogues in nature, Herr Reichsführer , imperfect but perhaps useful. What we have here is apparently some sort of spontaneous genetic mutation, affecting the cell structure of this creature down to the molecular level of the cells. The Gypsies are, of course, a lower life form, sub-human like the Jews, but we don’t really know very much about their physiologies. Their physical similarity to humans has protected them from the type of research necessary for an understanding of their biological structures. I have often considered vivisection as…"
    Himmler brought Festhaller’s