Through the Fifth Man's Eyes
I do not own The Rat Patrol or the characters (with the exception of Quinn and Suzette).
That honor goes to Mirisch-Rich Television Productions and United Artists Television
This is a just a fanfic of a great TV show.
With that said please enjoy (and give me reviews too, please)
Captain Boggs had just receive a radio call that the Rat Patrol would be meeting him in his tent shortly. He was in north Africa amongst the golden sand and azure sky fighting Axis powers durning the Second World War. With him was a Private by the name of Scot Quinn. Boggs took another look at the man who was sitting near by on a chair. He looked like an average American army soldier. Maybe a little shorter than the rest; Being five foot six. His greenish-blue eyes peered at him from under his black knit cap, brunette hair peaking out from under it.
The hat wasn't part of the official uniform but the Captain didn't care. He went on to study Pvt. Quinn's face. It wasn't weather beaten like most. Slightly tan and free from wrinkles. He was young, too young, thought Capt. Boggs to be doing this kind of work. But after being briefed on Pvt. Quinn's information, he didn't worry. Boggs quickly remembered that it wasn't polite to stare and turned away. In some ways he wished this boy could be at home enjoying the company of his family and friends. Not working in the temperamental desert, fighting to stay alive. Suddenly the flap of the tent opened and a blast of hot air blew in, along with it came three American men.
"Private Scot Quinn, I would like to introduce Sargent Sam Troy, Privates Mark Hitchcock and Tully Pettigrew" said Capt. Boggs as the men stood looking at their commanding officer.
They turned to face Quinn. At the sound of their own name, each man gave a sharp nod. Troy was a clean shaven man who had an air of command about him. An Australian Bush hat was clasped in his hand. Pettigrew had a slight smile on his face but if you weren't paying attention you couldn't tell. A match stick hung out from the corner of his mouth. He seemed to be a take-orders don't-ask type of guy. Hitchcock appeared to be the youngest of the group. He wore a pair of wire rimmed glassed and was chewing on something. A red Kepi hat hung out of his pocket. Capt. Boggs glanced around noticing that one of them was missing.
"Where is Sar..."
Just then a tall, dark haired man with a black beret, wearing a British uniform rushed in.
"My apologies Sir" he said snatching off his hat. " I had a few other things to attend to."
"That's quite all right. Sargent Jack Moffitt meet Private Scot Quinn."
Moffitt swung around and almost bumped into Quinn. He studied the boy closely.
Moffitt shook his head.
"Is something the matter Sargent?" Quinn asked curiously. Eyeing him in return.
"No. I'm sorry. You looked some what familiar" he apologized for the second time that afternoon.
"Why are we here, sir?" Sargent Troy inquired getting back to the point.
"Well, I'm sure you have heard about the new German base not far from where you were a couple of weeks ago?" Capt. Boggs said snapping to attention.
"Eisstadt isn't it" Moffitt questioned.
"Correct. Translation. Ice City" Boggs continued.
"Mighty odd name to call a city in the middle of the desert" Pettigrew commented in his southern drawl.
"Intelligence isn't sure if the name means anything or is just a joke." Boggs offered coffee before pouring himself some.
"I wonder if they call themselves the Ice Cubes" Hitchcock quipped.
Troy shot him a warning glance although he smiled to himself.
Quinn, after a nod from Capt. Boggs, spoke "You aren't far off. They call themselves Eiswürfelabteilung."
The Americans looked at him in confusion causing Moffitt to smile.
"The Ice Cube Division" the Sergeant translated for them and the others grinned in understanding. Quinn made a mental note to give the English version before saying the German one.
"The problem is the Germans are in a strategic location and digging in tight. They are heavily guarded and for a good reason. It's one of their biggest ammo and refueling depots. We can't get close without getting shot up. The best chance we have is getting in a small team at night, but it's going to be tricky. You have to get in and out quickly. You also have to wait for a good convoy. They seem to slacken their defenses once they come in. It might take up to a few weeks or a couple of hours before that happens" Quinn told the patrol.
"If you don't mind me asking. How do you know this and what does it have to do with us" Sergeant Troy questioned.
"Private Quinn has first hand experience with the area and he's been undercover for past month or so. You four are a good commando team. Command wants you to knock it out prior to any more of our side getting killed or another German convoy coming in and leaving" the Captain said.
"Will we be briefed here or do you have somewhere else in mind" Moffitt inquired. Hitchcock took a sip of the coffee.
"Here. Pvt. Quinn will be telling you what is your best way getting in and out. He is your expert even thought he hasn't had practice as a commando" said Captain Boggs. Hitchcock suddenly started coughing and Pettigrew thumped him on the back which didn't seem to help. The first continued for a few more seconds and then gasped for air.
"Sir, I did hear you right? You want somebody who has never done this to tell us what to do!" the Private exclaimed. The others seemed to be just as shocked as he was. They knew it if you didn't know exactly what you were doing, then you shouldn't be there.