AN: Sorry for the delay next chapter will be out a lot quicker, please review or comment Pos or Neg I don't mind, anything you'd like to know more of or see in future, whatever. Apologies in advance for in mistake in the French translations, they are from a translation website and app. Again many thanks to the wonderful Y.K. Wilstone for editing my otherwise flaw filled story. Enjoy;)
Chapter 3
Stalag 13, Germany
LeBeau stood by the stove patiently waiting for the coffee to reheat while Hogan, Kinch, Carter and Newkirk sat at the table, deep in discussion. Ever since they had overheard the Gestapo Major's instructions to Klink they had been racking their brains as to how they would get their hands on the papers. London had been informed and had ordered Colonel Hogan to find out why a Gestapo Officer was playing pigeon.
"Colonel, why can't I just break into the ruddy thing, with me ten magic fingers?" Newkirk asked. "I've done it before."
"They'd lay it back to us in a flash," Hogan replied dismissively. "Anyone else?" he enquired hopefully searching for inspiration.
"Why don't we just ask him for them?" Carter asked in earnest, unaware of the disbelieving looks on Newkirk's, LeBeau's and Kinch's faces at their friend's innocence.
"Carter you just said something beautiful!" Col. Hogan exclaimed with a cryptic grin.
Carter now had his goofy smile plastered on his face but before any questions could be asked, Schultz blustered his way into the barrack to usher everyone out for a surprise roll call. His face lit up in sheer delight as he reached the fifteenth; proudly he turned and faced Klink to report.
"All present and accounted for, Herr Kommandant!" Schultz saluted.
The sounds of engines filled the night sky closely followed by a loud explosion that sent Col. Klink and Schultz to lie cowering on the ground.
"Looks like they got the factory" Kinch whispered in his Hogan's ear leaning forward from his place in line.
The Bombers were leaving as they heard the dogfights begin. Klink stood up, slightly duster, yelling at Schultz to get the men into the barracks. Rabitting on about how he was a disgrace to the uniform. The orders Klink gave were totally pointless, by the time the overweight Sergeant had regained his footing, all the prisoners of Barracks Two were inside and Hogan had locked the door as had followed his men inside.
"LeBeau, Newkirk into the tunnel I want you on standby if any of those boys need our help." Col. Hogan ordered after he had locked the door.
"Oui mon Colonel"
"Right o' Governor"
The two men disappeared down the tunnel entrance, Colonel Hogan and Sgt. Kinchloe followed suit heading to Stalag 13's downstairs apartment.
LeBeau and Newkirk sat dressed head to toe in black a few hundred yards out side the camp. Both had their eyes peeled for allied pilots or the guards on patrol.
"Over there," LeBeau rushed in an undertone pointing straight ahead.
He had seen a faint glow of red and smoke billowing into the sky through the forest line.
"Any chutes?" Newkirk replied in a similar fashion as he spun round to face the direction LeBeau had showed.
"Maybe it's too hard to tell mon ami."
"Let's go 'ave a look then."
Together they ran deeper into the woods knowing each second counted if they were to beat the Krouts to the unlucky pilots.
The Flight Officer looked at the burning wreckage of the De Havilliard that had been a trusty and beautiful machine. In a way it was a strangely symbolic of the F/O's fate which had been signed, sealed and delivered as soon as the engine had been hit. Flight Lieutenant Ritchie stood a few yards back giving Andy some well deserved space.
"Shall you do it or shall I?" Andy spoke breaking the uneasy silence that had formed since they had landed; never taking her eyes off the wreck.
"I'd really prefer that neither of us do it actually, we could try to escape first." Ritchie relented.
"We have our orders," Andy finally turned around. "All of us new Arc wouldn't last."
Thunderous in the atmosphere of the woods, the crashing noises that kept growing in volume startled Andy and Ritchie they quickly hid using the flames to help obscure their silhouettes. Ritchie recognised the figures immediately; they had helped him the last time he was shot down. 'It has to be a ghost' Andy thought not believing what she saw.
"I think you better switch to French, so we both get to live another day." Ritchie whispered before he stepped out into sight. "Newkirk, LeBeau you are a sight for sore eyes," he sighed, motioning for Andy to follow.
"Formalities later Sir, we need to scram." Corporal Newkirk called back as the two pilots as he and LeBeau waited for them to approach.
The two English Officers followed their rescuers in complete faith that they would be led to safety. Doubt started to creep into the F/O's mind as she saw the prison camp ahead. Pausing she gripped her Commanding Officer's arm she pulled him aside to talk to him.
"Êtes-vous sûr ceci est-vous sûr? (Are you sure this is safe?) " Andy asked.
"Coût total (One hundred percent)" LeBeau answered for Ritchie. "He speaks French?" The Frenchman asked Ritchie excitedly.
"Yeah, he understands English but can't speak a word of it." The Lieutenant answered brusquely. "Now can we get out of these woods?"
"Will you quit your nattering?" Newkirk added as he opened the tree stump, revealing a ladder that descended into the earth.
Colonel Hogan stood over the radio in the communications room frustrated and just about ready to give up when someone finally answered.
"This is Nightfox. Papa Bear the underground is shutting down. The Krouts are suspicious and questioning the people of Hammelberg. Sorry you're on your own."
"Alright Nightfox we'll try London. Papa Bear over and out." He put the microphone down trying to mask his annoyance.
"London won't send us a female agent." Kinch said reluctantly. "There's no point in asking."
Kinch putdown the headset before he stood, Hogan couldn't stand still any longer and turned to pacing to help come up with a new plan.
"Le Colonel est un bon homme, vous l'aimera. Il peut avoir des plans fous mai fera n'importe quoi nous maintenir sûr. (The Colonel is a good man, you'll like him. He may have crazy schemes but he will do anything to keep us safe.)" Le Beau continued to babble in French.
LeBeau had talked non-stop the whole way through the tunnel; absolutely delighted at being able to speak in his native tongue. He took no notice the conversation the Flight Lieutenant's conversation with Newkirk. Instead LeBeau kept rolling out a monologue of French to the other British officer who was just listening to the Corporals rant. A man appeared from around one of the many corners of the vast network of tunnels. The man wearing a semi-formal uniform was lost in deep thought.
"Le Colonel?" Andy indicated to the man wearing the crush cap, speaking for the first time since entering the tunnel.
"Oui" LeBeau confirmed "Flight Lieutenant Ritchie and...?" abruptly ending the report and slightly abashed as he was unsure of the rank.
"Flying Officer Newkirk, it's nice to see you again Colonel." Flt Lt Ritchie finished for LeBeau.
Recognition dawned in Hogan's eyes, "That business with the camera, it was you and …Donner" he said clicking his fingers as he remembered. "How was the trip by the way?"
"A lark, I recommended a five-star rating for your Travellers Aid Society." Ritchie joked.
"It's shame we can't use you again this time, we were looking to get a girl from the underground in but they've closed up shop."
"That does sound like a sticky wicket Sir."
Dejectedly Col. Hogan smiled, "You're not far off it, LeBeau sort them out for the night we'll process them in the morning."
"Yes Sir, follow moi." LeBeau motioned to the Officers as he turned on his heels to lead them to their night's accommodation.
"You alright Newkirk? You look like you've seen a ghost." Kinch asked as he entered having finished closing down the radio.
"That Flying Officer looked a bit like someone I knew. It can't be. It's impossible." The Corporal answered in a trance like state in an attempt to reassure himself rather than his friends.
AN: That's it for now please review, I beg of you.