Chapter Three: Complications

"Watch your step," LeBeau told Kinch.

They were crossing a small stream, with slippery, smooth rocks. Kinch was being as careful as possible about stepping in the right spot, especially with the precious weight in his arms. It was difficult to see exactly where to place his foot, but with Carter and LeBeau guiding him and nearly tripping over their feet to make sure his were in the right spot, he got through the stream with no trouble. Looking ahead, he saw Johann lead his father over the ridge.

"Filthy Boche," he heard LeBeau murmur. He looked down at the Frenchman, and saw that he had been watching Geoff too. Hogan turned around, having also heard LeBeau's comment.

"Ignore him," said Hogan. "We have him now."

Hogan turned around and began walking up the ridge.

"'E is also a traitor," spat LeBeau.

"Well," said Carter, as he followed the Colonel. "Not really. We just thought he was a traitor."

"No, Carter," said LeBeau. "'E is a traitor. 'E was dealing with les Boches. Anyone who deals with them should be punished."

"Listen LeBeau," said Kinch, as he began to ascend the small hill. "We've got him now. Don't worry about it. Right now, focus on helping me get up this hill without tripping. I don't want to drop Newkirk."

The request had the desired effect. LeBeau immediately forgot Geoff and began to help Kinch find his footing. But they had only taken one step when a shout halted them in their tracks.

"LeBeau! Kinch! Run!"

It was Carter's voice. Suddenly, a shot was fired. Instinctively, LeBeau began to run up the hill, his gun drawn.

"LeBeau," said Kinch. "No! Come back! I can't protect Newkirk if I'm holding him!"

LeBeau stopped, and looked back. There were more shouts.

"Grab the Colonel!"

"Hey!"

"Vater, do not!"

Another shot.

"Carter!"

Another shot.

A cry of agony.

"No!"

"Get him up! And look for the others!"

LeBeau ran back to Kinch. "'Urry! We can cross the river!"

In order to be able to maneuver more easily, Kinch shifted Newkirk over his shoulder. He hoped he was not causing the Englishman anymore discomfort. At least, he was still unconscious, if that was really a good thing. Kinch and LeBeau dashed out of sight, just as a man looked over the ridge.

"They are gone!"

He looked back at his leader, a man dressed in civilian clothes but with a swastika armband, and a machine gun thrown over his shoulder. Beside him, stood Geoff, gripping his son tightly by the arm. To the right of Geoff, stood another, also dressed in civilian clothes with a swastika armband. This one held a gun to Hogan's head. Hogan was kneeling on the ground, looking at the bottom of the hill anxiously. There at the bottom of the hill, lay another man, clutching his leg right above the knee, and biting his lip to not cry out. Carter had been shot.

The leader, Berg, looked around, thinking about his next move.

"Decker," he said, looking to the man up on the hill. "I want you to get find their trail, and follow it until you can come up with a good idea about where they are headed. Then, come back to camp." Decker nodded. He ran down the hill, searching for Kinch and LeBeau. "Mandel, bind their hands. We need them walking."

"What about that one," asked Mandel, looking at Carter.

"He still has one god leg," replied Berg. "Tie up the wound. He cannot die yet."

"And my son," asked Geoff.

"He will have to be tied up for now," said Berg. "We cannot take any chances."

"That is okay," said Johann, glaring at his father. "I would rather die than be with any traitors, even if they were kin."

Geoff looked hurt only for a moment. But he took the rope Berg handed him, and tied his son's hands together.

"Let us hope it does not come down to death," said Geoff.

"Vater," said Johann. "It is war. There is no gray area. It is either dead, or you keep fighting."

Further conversation was halted when Carter cried out as Mandel tied the cloth around the wound tightly.

"Gag him," ordered Berg. "I do not want him making a racket the whole time."

Mandel gagged Carter, and then roughly yanked him up off the ground. Carter could barely stand up.

"Let me walk with him," said Hogan. "I promise, I won't go anywhere. Just let me make sure he doesn't fall."

Berg looked at Hogan for a long moment. He walked over and looked down at the Colonel.

"We have taken great pains to capture you, Colonel," said Berg. "Are you sure you will not go? Because if you ever decide to leave, and without our permission, I will not hesitate to shoot. And not at you. I will just fire another bullet in that boy's other leg. And then, you shall have to carry him on your back, or leave him for dead. Do we have terms?"

Hogan glared at him. "Yes, we have terms." He got up, and looked Berg straight in the eyes. "For now."

Decker chuckled. "I will enjoy keeping you in my company."

"We'll see about that," said Hogan vehemently. He spat on Berg's boots.

He expected the blow that came afterwards, but still was not prepared for the force of it. He stumbled back some, but caught himself before he fell. He heard Carter making a fuss through his gag. The young American was glaring at Berg, while trying to balance on one leg. Mandel had a tight grip on his shoulder.

Hogan got up, and walked over to Carter.

"Save it for later," he said. "Lean on me."

Carter silently leaned against his commanding officer. Mandel got behind them, and put the gun against Hogan's back.

Berg looked at Geoff. "You lead us back to the camp. I will watch your son."

Geoff just nodded solemnly and began trekking through the woods again. Johann followed, with Berg's gun in his back.

"Go," said Mandel, giving Hogan a small shove.

Hogan and Carter began to walk, finding a rhythm they could get into. Once again, they were a somber company.