The Face Of Evil Raid
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 1
"This is Colonel Brett Walker." Captain Boggs placed a photo on the table in front of him. "A few days ago Col. Walker was captured while on his way back from a high level meeting of commanders in North Africa." The captain looked across the table at the four men crowded around the other side. "Colonel Walker is the head of the Eighth, just recently appointed."
Sargent Sam Troy raised an eyebrow at the news. The others exchanged glances before looking to the captain again.
"This is Colonel Max Berndt. Head of the Gestapo in this area."
"We've heard of him." Troy remarked dryly. Although they tried to avoid the Gestapo, they had all heard the stories of their practices.
"Be careful of him Sargent. From what I've heard, the guy is pure evil. You can't bargain with him, he just can't be trusted. He'd sell his own mother to get what he wants." The captain cautioned his commando team. "This guy is supposed to be the best interrogator they have currently in North Africa."
Troy nodded to indicate that he was taking the warning seriously.
Moffitt was studying the pictures. "So this Colonel Berndt has Colonel Walker?"
"Not yet." Capt. Boggs answered with a sigh. "According to our sources, the Germans tried to get him to talk on their own. So far he hasn't said anything. Berlin ordered him sent to Colonel Berndt. He is supposed to arrive sometime tomorrow under heavy guard. They have orders to kill him if it looks like he may be rescued."
The British sargent looked up quickly. "Is that a real possibility?"
"We think so. You're going to have to keep that in mind when you make your plans."
"Do we know where Colonel Berndt is currently stationed?" Troy brought the conversation back to the map.
Boggs moved the pictures aside to point at a spot on the map. "According to our sources, he has a base right about here. Heavily guarded and out in the open. They didn't leave much around to give you cover and the local Arabs seem to be working with him. They don't talk to any strangers, even other Arabs, about the camp."
"He could be threatening their families." Moffitt suggested.
Boggs nodded. "That may be Sargent, but that's not our concern. The only person that should concern you is Colonel Walker. And as a means to reach him, Colonel Berndt."
"Nothing to worry about except facing evil in the flesh." Mark Hitchcock muttered under his breath.
"Exactly Private."
Mark blushed at the realization that he had spoken his thoughts out loud. Troy threw him a look that told him to keep his thoughts to himself. Hitch nodded that he understood and stepped back a pace.
"So just what do you want us to do Captain?" Troy tried to get the meeting back on track.
The captain wiggled his eyebrows in frustration. "What you do best Sargent, get the job done. The brass doesn't care how, just do it." He paused to take another look at the four men, as if memorizing their faces. "This may be one of the toughest missions that I've ever given you. I told the General, and he agreed, that you were the best men for the job. IF you can't do it, no one can. We need you to go out there and prove us right."
Troy bit his lip and nodded. "We'll do our best Captain."
"That's all we ask Sargent."
"I guess if we're going to get the Colonel back before the Gestapo messes him up too bad, we'd better get moving." The sargent picked up the mission packet and the photos. His men straightened behind him and waited for him to issue orders.
"Tully go make sure the jeeps are ready. Load up on supplies. Extra food, blankets and medical supplies…. Hitch, get plenty of ammo and stock up on explosives. Anything you think we might be able to use. Moffitt, we need to go over the maps and see if there are any locals that you know who may be willing to talk to us. Find a good base to work from and figure out a way to get close."
All three men nodded and the privates rushed from the tent to complete their assigned tasks. Moffitt and Troy held back when the captain called to them. They both turned back to face them.
"If you can't get the Colonel out, your orders are to make sure that he doesn't talk. The information he has is too valuable."
"Yes Sir." They responded in unison. It was not an order they enjoyed hearing, but knowing the Gestapo, one they clearly understood.
"Good luck!" the captain called in a low, worried voice as they left his tent.