A/N: Pre-episode.
Hauptmann Dietrich sighed as the gruff voice filtered through the door, reluctantly complying with the order to enter the room.
Colonel von Graff's office looked the same as it had a few months beforehand. The large room boasted lavish furniture, red velvet curtains, a designer rug and a large oak desk which sat by the far wall. A gold bust of Hitler sat on the corner of the desk, as if it were personally keeping an eye on the German war effort just outside the Afrika Campaign.
Dietrich finally focused his attention on von Graff, who didn't look the slightest bit pleased to see him. The Colonel's reaction wasn't anything new, however. Anytime Dietrich was called to see his commanding officer in person, he knew it could only mean bad news. He disliked the Colonel every bit as much as Von Graff disliked him, however, he was forced to maintain some form of respect if he wanted to avoid an appointment with the Gestapo. His many campaign failures to date had him in enough hot water as it was.
Saluting, Dietrich proceeded to fold his hands behind his back. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Indeed I did," von Graff replied flatly, returning the salute. "It has come to the Gestapo's attention, and my own Captain, that your loyalties may be, how should I put it… shifting towards that of the Allies."
Dietrich forced himself to keep a straight face, though he was anything but calm on the inside. He fought a gentlemen's war, but was very much loyal to his country. "On what grounds is that accusation based on?"
"You are surprisingly calm, considering the circumstances," the Colonel replied, narrowing his eyes. "The information I have been given Captain, concerns your rather questionable relationship with a group of Allied desert scavengers known as the Rat Patrol. More specifically, with their leader uh, Sergeant Troy.
Oh.
"This questionable relationship with the group includes multiple truces and countless altercations with them in which you were the only survivor. On top of this I've had to reassign you so many times I've lost count, and each time you have captured those damn men, they have not only managed to escape but have inflicted heavy losses at our side's expense!" von Graff finished angrily. He tossed the piece of paper he'd referred to back on his desk. "Well Captain, how do you explain all this?"
Dietrich considered adopting Troy's sense of wit, but quickly decided against it. Von Graff was certainly in no mood for jokes. "If I may say sir, the Rat Patrol have escaped from everyone who's ever managed to capture them."
"Do not try to blame this on someone else, Captain," von Graff spat. "Luckily for you, you were previously recommended by Rommel personally which has provided you with a second chance to prove where your loyalties lie."
"What must I do to convince you?" Dietrich replied calmly.
The Colonel glared at him for a moment more, then picked up a second piece of paper from his desk. He scanned over it quickly. "Intelligence has informed me of an area that the Rat Patrol have scouted multiple times in the past week. As it turns out, that particular area is simply begging for an ambush."
"And I suppose you want me to be a part of the ambush party?" Dietrich asked.
"No, not quite," von Graff replied, a small smile appearing on his face. "Not only will you be a part of that ambush party Captain, but you are going to ensure the capture of all four members of that damned group. You will take them to a special prison nearby where SS members will personally question them. You are to watch and learn from everything they do Captain, and you will participate in these activities. They say it does wonders for men who are becoming... soft towards the enemy."
By this point, the small smile had grown into a malicious grin. Dietrich shifted slightly, wishing he could be any place else but that office. "How long must I remain there before I can return to my regular unit?"
"Why the rush?" von Graff replied, chuckling. "It would almost seem as though you do not want to do this!"
Dietrich maintained his straight face. "That's all very amusing sir, but I meant what I asked."
The Colonel stopped laughing, leaned into his desk and dropped his voice to a near whisper. "You will return to your unit Captain, when the SS and Gestapo are satisfied with your performance."
"...yes sir," Dietrich replied dejectedly. "Will that be all?"
"Yes, you may leave. You will be notified of map coordinates and all other details once you return to your base in North Africa," von Graff replied. Dietrich saluted, heading towards the door before he was stopped by the Colonel's voice again. "Oh, and Captain? Do make sure you inflict some sort of pain into the prisoners this time, the SS is so fussy about that sort of thing."
Dietrich restrained himself from glaring at the man before closing the door behind him.
Walking through the halls of the mansion, his mind was racing at a mile a minute. Since when did one's ability to hurt another human being determine your loyalty to a country? The whole affair was completely insane, he could never go along with it, his conscience would never allow it. But if he didn't... the Gestapo.
His thoughts turned to the Rat Patrol. Of all the sneaky things he had done in regards to them, none had included extreme methods such as this. Their entire relationship had been built on a mixture of both dislike for the opposing team as well as respect.
Oh, he could raise his voice, there was no doubt about that. Troy's wit in the face of danger was enough to make even the calmest of people angry. But he had never resorted to physical violence. It was odd, but there was the tiniest flicker of trust between himself and the American. He didn't even want to imagine the look on Troy's face when he'd have to hit him; how would he ever explain his actions? Would he ever get a chance to?
Dietrich pushed the thoughts from his mind as he reached his staff car. His driver, sensing his uneasiness, flashed him a concerned look. "Is everything alright, Herr Hauptmann?"
The Captain sighed as he hopped in the passenger side, looking towards the young Corporal with a sense of despair. "Manfred, you have been under my command for a long time, is that not so?"
"Ever since I was eighteen years old," he replied, grinning.
Dietrich couldn't help but smile at the boy's loyalty. "Well you know what I've taught you, then."
"Gentlemen's war, sir," Manfred replied, repeating Dietrich's motto. He frowned as his commanding officer's smile was once again replaced with a look of sadness. "Herr Hauptmann, what does that have to do with anything?"
"...Manfred, this conversation is not to leave this vehicle, is that understood?" Dietrich asked. When he received a worried nod, he continued. "The Gestapo believe my loyalties are shifting, so I'm being reassigned to an SS prison camp temporarily."
"But you're not a traitor!" Manfred exclaimed, his eyes widening. "They are not going to hurt you, are they?"
"They will if I don't do as they say," Dietrich replied solemnly. "Call it retraining if you will. It involves the capture of the Rat Patrol, and my participation in interrogation methods I would rather not think about."
"I'm sorry, Herr Hauptmann," Manfred replied sadly. "I know you would send them to a prisoner of war camp if you could."
Dietrich nodded slightly, twiddling his thumbs. "I want you to understand Manfred, that no matter what behaviour you may see me displaying within the next few days, I still want you to fight like the honourable soldier you are. Is that understood?"
Manfred smiled again. "You can count on me, sir."
"I know I can," Dietrich replied, returning the smile. "Come on, let's go."
As they drove out the gates of Colonel Von Graff's mansion, Dietrich could only pray he wouldn't have to return to the Island of Rhodes for a very long time.