Disclaimer: I own nothing...damn!
AN: Thanks to Jinzel for pointing out my error in the ranks. It's all fixed now!
The Hardest Task
Putting down the radio headset Staff Sergeant James Kinchloe slowly rose and made his way up the ladder towards the barracks. This was the one task he had hoped he would never have to do; the one message he had prayed he would never receive. Climbing out of the bunk that was the hidden tunnel entrance, Kinch took in all of the expectant faces that turned to look at him waiting for good news that would never come. Seventeen pairs of eyes watched as he plodded over to the door at the other end of the barracks. The door opened before he got there and Colonel Robert Hogan, Senior POW officer stepped out of his office to hear what his radioman had to report.
"Tiger called, He ran into an S.S. patrol on the way back." Here Kinch had to pause to compose himself "They executed him on the spot." Silence followed this announcement as the Sergeant swallowed before continuing.
"She said to make sure you knew; he completed his mission. The information should be in London by this time tomorrow. "
"Thanks Kinch." Came the soft reply. At the same time across the room, a figure in blue let out a cry of distress. Corporal Peter Newkirk leaped to his feet and spoke to Kinch desperately.
"No...Oh God no. It can't be true. Not me little mate. Tell me it's not true." But even before the silent radioman shook his head sadly, the entire barracks knew this was the cold unforgiving truth.
"I just can't believe it." Said a new voice hoarsely. Sergeant Andrew Carter sat on his bunk in shock, tears pouring down his cheeks. With a sigh Kinch wiped a tear off his own face then sat down on the bunk with his arm around the younger sergeant's shoulders in support.
"He knew the risks as well as we did. He died as he would have wanted; helping free France." The entire barracks nodded in agreement before their commander spoke for the first time in several minutes.
"He was wearing fake dog tags so hopefully they won't connect him to Stalag 13." Hogan sighed running his hand through his hair. It was clear he was trying to hold it together for his men's sake but his resolve wasn't going to hold much longer. "Olsen, Shortly before role call I want you to go and collapse the last few feet of the old tunnel from the rec hall that had to be abandoned because we hit rock. Hopefully I can convince Klink he was buried in a cave in trying to escape."
"Yes Sir." Sergeant Olsen morosely replied as the Colonel turned and headed back into his quarters.
They had all lost a good friend and ally that night and now in the solitude of his room Colonel Hogan as the senior officer of the prisoners had one final task to perform for the patriotic Frenchman. Pulling out paper and a pencil Hogan sat down to complete the one commitment he had prayed every night he would never have to fulfil. The hardest task he would ever have to complete.
Dear Mr and Mrs Lebeau,
It is with great sorrow...
