One by one, the entire core team made it through the stump and into the tunnel system.
Carter, rubbing the black grease off his face, said, "Boy, that was a tough one. Next time, let's go through the artillery."
"Through the—" Newkirk sighed. "Why am I the only sensible one here?"
Hogan, changing out of his S.S. uniform, said, "You? You're the sensible one? You just tried to get us all caught with your cigarettes. If anything, it's me that's the sensible one."
"You got us into this crazy mess, Colonel," put in LeBeau. "What did you say? 'Why can't *we* surround the German army?'" Hogan had to admit, that did sound a little crazy. "At least I was able to get the rest of you out of this mess," finished LeBeau.
Kinch, surprisingly, joined the argument. "Only because I was there when you saw that girl."
LeBeau had the grace to look embarrassed, then he lit up and said, "Wasn't she beautiful, though?"
"No. And there you have it."
"Have what?"
"I'm the only sensible one here," he affirmed.
"Aw, shove off."
"Really, Kinch?"
"Yeah, what about that floodlight that came on while we were setting the fuse?"
"Don't look at me. That was the weirdest wiring job I've ever seen."
It fell silent. Without knowing why, everyone looked at Carter, who hadn't spoken, as he was looking thoughtfully down at his shoes. "Well, I think I have your answer."
"Oh what, you're the most sensible one?" Newkirk verbally eye-rolled. Carter just looked at him. LeBeau was the first to crack a smile. "He finished his part of the mission, didn't he?"
"Oh, come on! We all did too!"
"The only one. Non-dangerously, that is," added Hogan.
"Non-dangerously? What's so dangerous about taking a smoke break?"
"And missing a patrol going by?"
"You church and steeple! Does a guy ever get a break 'round 'ere?"
The conversation faded down the tunnel toward the barracks.
A/N: Yes, that was a bit of Cockney. After a good night's rest to cool down, Newkirk graciously translated it for me as "You people!"
If anyone would like to speculate on what exactly happened on their mission, be my guest. Write a story. I would love to see what sort of sticky situation they got themselves into.