The War Without Honor Raid
By: AliasCWN
"One soldier with a small bladder and my entire plan goes down the toilet."
"Really Sergeant. I prefer to think that we would have caught you anyway." Captain Hans Dietrich stood in front of his desk with his hands clasp firmly behind his back. He kept his fingers locked to keep them from wrapping around the throat of his guards. Despite his assurance to Sergeant Troy, it had only been luck that had resulted in the sergeants' capture. Bad luck for Troy, good luck for him and the soldier with the small bladder. The guards had not suspected a thing until the soldier had nearly tripped over the sergeant on his way to the latrine. His yell had alerted the guards who had somehow managed to corner the elusive American.
Troy snorted In disbelief. "Your guards had no idea I was within a hundred miles of here. You got lucky Captain, admit it."
"Perhaps Sergeant, but the point here is that you are now my prisoner. I don't suppose that you would be willing to enlighten me as to what you were doing on my base?"
Troy smiled a cocky smile. "I just came to visit Captain. I thought I would surprise you. Brighten your day so to speak."
"Well you have certainly succeeded Sergeant. Now it would be even better if you would tell me where to find your men." Dietrich turned away, certain that any answer the sergeant chose to give him would be totally useless in locating the others.
"I can't help you there Captain. They dropped me off and then headed for parts unknown."
"And just left you here? Why would they do that sergeant?" The Captain turned to again face his prisoner, curious despite his belief that Troy was toying with him.
The sergeant shrugged. "Because I told them to. In fact, I ordered them to do it."
"Why Sergeant?" Despite his better judgement, Dietrich let his curiosity get the better of him.
"Because you and I need to talk Captain." Troy answered seriously, all trace of humor gone. "And I don't want you distracted by trying to chase my men."
Dietrich studied the man before him, watching him intently. There was a ring of truth in the Sergeants' voice. For some inexplicable reason, Dietrich believed him. He motioned the sergeant to a seat and waited for him to take it. Walking around his desk he pulled his luger from the top drawer. Laying it in the center of his desk, he sat in his own chair, one hand resting next to the hand gun.
"Alright Sergeant, start talking."
Troy shook his head and looked pointedly at the guards.
"They don't speak English. Whatever you have to say will not be understood."
"No. They may not understand the words but they may recognize the names. They leave or I don't talk, your choice."
The captain looked from Troy to his guards, a frown on his face. "You wouldn't be trying to get them out of here so you can jump me would you Sergeant?"
Troy cocked his head to look at the captain. "Are you afraid of me Captain?" The sergeant smiled, showing his perfect white teeth in a grin meant to mock the captain. "They can stand outside the door in case you need to call them. Heck, put some outside the window too in case I try to go out that way. Put them anywhere but in this room." The sergeant met the captains' stare and refused to look away. It was the captain who broke eye contact.
"Why should I talk to you?"
"Don't talk, just listen. What have you got to lose Captain?" Troy turned serious, facing his captor, trying to convey his sincerity with his eyes.
Dietrich stared into those eyes, looking thoughtful. "Who was it said that 'the eyes are the gateway to the soul' Sergeant?"
Troy smiled and leaned back into his chair. With a shrug, he relaxed. "I can't remember." He shrugged again. "I'm not sure I ever really knew. Does it matter?"
Dietrich leaned back in his seat. "No, not really. I think he may have been correct though." With a wave of his hand, the captain ordered the guards to take up positions in the hall and wait for him to call them. As the door shut behind them the captain looked back at his prisoner. "Just what do you want to talk about that would warrant all this trouble Sergeant?" He fingered the handle of his luger, the action soothing his sudden case of nerves.
Troy watched his hand caress the gun grip. Silence reigned as Troy collected his thoughts and prepared to launch into his practiced speech.
Dietrich watched the emotions play across his face and worried. Whatever had the American sergeant so worked up had to be serious. He'd seen the sergeant face a hangman's noose with less concern. Whatever it was, he hoped to be able to control any display of emotion on his part once the sergeant starting talking. He took deep even breaths and waited.