Dietrich's Game
By:AliasCWN
Chapter 1
The four men in German uniform were escorted to the commander's office. They weren't handcuffed or bound in any way as they slid from their patrol cars and followed the officer who was responsible for capturing them. Their weapons had been confiscated by the soldiers escorting them to the commander's office, mainly as a precaution. No one knew for sure what was going on.
They had been apprehended in American territory wearing German uniforms and driving German vehicles but they said they weren't German. The men claimed to be Americans, at least three of them did, the fourth said he was English. They claimed to be an American unit coming back from a mission. Since it was fairly common knowledge that the Allies had a unit that was made up of three Americans and a British soldier the officer in charge had erred on the side of caution. He had ordered them disarmed until someone else could determine who they really were. So far they had made no attempt to escape and seemed quite content with the way things were progressing. With his course decided the officer led the way to the base commander's office.
The small procession drew quite a bit of attention as they made their way the short distance to the commander's office. German prisoners taken during battle were a fairly common sight but there hadn't been any fighting in the sector the base covered for weeks. Maybe that's why they drew so much attention, or maybe the American troops were just bored. Or perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the German soldiers acted as if they belonged there. Anyone who saw them would have immediately noticed the confidence they displayed as they crossed the streets to the headquarters building. Not a one of them seemed concerned that they were surrounded by American soldiers or that many of those soldiers carried weapons while they themselves were unarmed. If one had looked closely they might have noticed that the four men even looked a bit relieved to be on the base.
Captain Walters stood up as Lieutenant Stanley entered his office with the four men and their guards. "What's going on here Lieutenant? Why aren't these men restrained in any way?"
"They claim that they're Americans." The lieutenant explained as he saluted his superior officer.
To the captain's surprise all four 'prisoners' saluted him as well. The captain returned the salutes with a frown.
"Maybe someone had better explain to me what this is all about." The captain suggested as he eyed the German uniforms.
"I can explain sir." One of the prisoners began. "I'm Sergeant Sam Troy. This is my second in command Sergeant Jack Moffitt. The other two are privates Pettigrew and Hitchcock."
The captain nodded as each man acknowledged his introduction.
"We were on an assignment that required that we infiltrate a German base. Our cover was a German patrol. To accomplish it we had to acquire German vehicles. We managed to capture two cars. To cover the fact that we were only four men while a patrol had eight we took four of the dead Germans back with us. The four survivors we sent back to a British base to be held until they could be sent to a POW camp. We assumed the identities of the four survivors. Once we finished our mission we planned to retrieve our jeeps and change into our own uniforms. We were to capture and deliver a Major Peter Straus to headquarters."
"And where is this Major Straus?" The captain inquired.
"He cancelled his trip due to an illness." The prisoner replied.
"Then your assignment is finished?"
"Yes sir." The prisoner calling himself Troy nodded.
"Then why are you still in German uniforms?"
"Our true identities were discovered and we had to fight our way out. The chased us all the way back to our lines. They even cut us off from our jeeps. We weren't able to go back and get them."
"Can you prove any of this?" The officer demanded.
"Our uniforms and our dog tags are in our jeeps Captain."
"And where are these jeeps?"
Troy told him the location of the jeeps.
"That's in enemy territory Sergeant."
"Yes sir. Our assignment was in enemy territory. We wanted the vehicles close so we could reach them and change back into our own uniforms."
"But you didn't do that."
"We didn't get a chance." Troy repeated. "We were being chased."
"And I am supposed to just take your word for it?"
""You could call captain Boggs or Colonel Quint." Troy responded.
The captain paused at Troy's comment. "You do know that Colonel Quint isn't at his base at present?"
"No sir, he was there when we left." Troy responded.
"When was that?"
"Almost a week ago sir. We were on our way back in when we got this assignment."
"And he didn't tell you he would be leaving for a meeting?"
"No sir."
"Don't you think that's odd?"
"No sir. He doesn't tell everyone what he plans to do."
"I doubt very much that he tells the Germans either."
"He doesn't tell enlisted men without a need to know Captain. It shouldn't surprise you that we don't know."
"In my experience enlisted men know more than the officers about such things. They tend to gossip more."
"I already explained that we weren't on base much lately."
"I suppose that might explain your surprise at the news." The officer admitted.
"Captain." The captain's aide stuck his head in the door.
"What is it corporal? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Yes sir." The aide answered nervously. "But there is a sergeant here who has orders from headquarters to report to you."
"Headquarters? Send him in corporal." Turning back to Troy he spoke to the guards. "We can continue this later. Wait in the hall."
Troy gave his men a nod and turned to lead them into the hall. "Dietrich!"
All four of the men dressed as Germans stopped cold when they saw the American sergeant waiting to enter the captain's office.
The sergeant stopped in mid-stride as he saw them. He eyed their uniforms quizzically before turning to the captain with a surprised look on his face.
"Do you know these men Sergeant?" The captain asked when he saw the expression.
"No sir." The sergeant answered warily. "I was just surprised to see German prisoners here is all."
"I told you the captain was talking to some Germans." The clerk spoke to the sergeant.
Dietrich turned to the clerk with a forced smile. "Yes you did, but I assumed that you were joking. I hadn't heard of any fighting in the area."
"Cut it out Dietrich." Troy growled. "The gig's up."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. And who is Dietrich?" The sergeant replied stiffly. "My name is Sergeant Vernon Price. I have orders to report to Captain Walters, and here I am."
"Your name is not Dietrich?" The captain asked.
"No sir." The sergeant replied. "Sergeant Price at your service sir. I have my papers right here." The sergeant reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out an envelope. "I have no idea who this Dietrich may be." He added as he handed the captain the orders.
The captain eyed the five men in confusion.
"Don't believe him Captain." Troy argued. "He's a German officer by the name of Captain Hans Dietrich."
"Really." The sergeant frowned. "My name is Sergeant Price. I have never heard of Captain Dietrich. You have my papers Captain."
The captain read the papers the sergeant had handed him. "These papers seem to be in order Sergeant."
"Thank you sir."
"Can you prove you're Sergeant Price?"
The sergeant hesitated. "You have my papers. I have my dog tags and my identification with me. I may also have a few letters from home if I didn't take them out of my bag."
"No offense Sergeant but may I see them?"
"He's lying Captain!" Troy made took a step toward the sergeant and the guards stepped between them, blocking whatever action he planned to take.
"His papers and identification seem to be in order Sergeant." The captain announced after examining the items.
"Of course they are." Troy declared. "He probably captured that Sergeant Price and took his papers and identification."
"You mean like you claim to have done?"
Troy paused. "Yeah, just like that Captain."
"Are the claiming to be someone else?" Sergeant Price asked.
"Three of them claim to be American while the fourth says he's British." The captain answered. "We do have a unit with three Americans and a British member around here somewhere."
"You wouldn't be referring to the unit known as the Rat Patrol by any chance?" Sergeant Price asked.
"I believe that's the one." The captain nodded. "Do you know them?"
"We've met." The sergeant admitted. "Unfortunately there is a rumor going around that they were recently captured. It hasn't been verified yet but my sources are usually correct."
"So these are not those men?"
"In German uniforms? Why would they wear German uniforms on an American base? Why would they be in German uniform at all? These men are impostors Captain."
"Dietrich." Troy warned.
"They said they left their uniforms in their jeeps." The captain explained.
"I suppose they left their identification in the jeeps too. And I imagine they told you they were on some secret mission to explain the German uniforms. Perhaps they are." Sergeant Price continued. "They just didn't have time to get into their disguises before they were captured." The sergeant paused. "I suppose this proves that the Rat Patrol has been captured. These men planned to use their identities to come here. It's too bad; I'm going to miss my talks with Sergeant Troy."
"Come off it Dietrich." Troy tried again.
"Be quiet Sergeant." The captain ordered.
"I think they are trying to get you to think I am German to distract you from their deception."
"Captain, we can all testify to the fact that he is German." Moffitt interrupted.
"I'm sure you can." The captain replied. "But the fact is, he has the proper papers and all you have are German identifications."
"Can't you see what he's doing?" Troy demanded. "At least keep him here until you can verify our identity. Don't let him complete his mission, whatever it is."
"I will be sending someone out to retrieve those jeeps." The captain promised. "Is there anything in them that will prove you are the men you say you are?"
Troy hesitated. "We don't carry anything personal in the jeeps. Our uniforms are in there, but not much else."
"Then I have to take his word over yours." The captain decided.
"Call Colonel Quint." Troy pleaded. "Or Captain Boggs. The captain can tell you who we are."
"I will be doing that Sergeant, or whoever you are. But unfortunately there is a communication blackout right now. Regular radio communications are restricted until further notice. It will have to wait until the ban is lifted."
The captain turned to his aide. "Show Sergeant Price to the visitor's quarters. There is a room available for his use." The aide nodded and motioned for the sergeant to follow him. Turning back to the guards the captain nodded toward Troy and his men. "Take them to the cells and make sure they stay there. I don't want them to have any contact with anyone until I can confirm what they are doing here."