The Twist of Fate Raid
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 7
The front door of the farm house opened and several German soldiers walked out. They turned and pointed their weapons at the next group of men to step out.
Seven men staggered out into the light rain. Their uniforms were dirty and blood spattered, but clearly American. That is, three of them were. The other four were dressed in dark clothing that hid the dirt and blood stains more efficiently. The seven men were followed by more guards. Finally two officers stepped out into the cold rain.
Saunders recognized the four men in dark clothing easily, after all, he had seen them only hours earlier. They looked the worse for wear now, but there was no doubt as to their identity. He also recognized one of the German officers. The captain had been their prisoner earlier in the day, the very one that the Rat Patrol had been tasked with capturing and delivering to battalion headquarters.
The captain was laughing now, obviously pleased about the present situation.
"Well, I guess we know what happened to those guys, and where the Germans got the truck." Doc whispered his assessment from behind Saunders.
"Yeah, I guess we do."
"What now Sarge? Headquarters said to call in artillery and obliterate this place. What do we do?"
"We follow orders."
Doc's mouth dropped open in shock as Saunders growled his reply.
"What about those prisoners Sarge?"
Saunders looked away from the prisoners to grin at Doc. "I guess we'll just have to take them back." The gleam in his eyes was anything but humorous.
Doc swallowed hard at the implied threat. "How?"
"Brockmeyer, get me Caje and Kirby!" Saunders turned back to watch as the Germans herded the prisoners into the yard and forced them to their knees with their hands locked behind their heads. One by one the Germans tied their hands behind their backs.
Two German soldiers took off at a run in the direction of the hidden truck. As Saunders waited, he heard the truck start and watched it drive up to the farm house.
"Sarge?" Caje dropped down next to Saunders, followed by an agitated Kirby, and finally Brockmeyer.
"What are they saying?"
"They're sending them to German headquarters for more interrogation." Brockmeyer translated.
"That's what I thought." The sergeant nodded with satisfaction. "Caje, take Kirby, Littlejohn, and Billy; get ahead of that truck. There is only one road out of here so we know which way they are going to be going. Stop that truck and get those guys back. We'll call in the artillery strike to start at your first shot. Once you take the truck, bring it back here, I don't feel like walking home."
Kirby watched the Germans as they stood over their prisoners and smiled at the plan. "Can I take the driver?"
"Sure." Saunders agreed. "Save the captain if you can manage it without putting anyone at risk; it looks like he's planning on riding shotgun. Get going, they aren't going to be much longer."
"Right Sarge." Caje motioned for Billy and Littlejohn to follow as he and Kirby moved to get ahead of the truck.
Saunders turned back to watch the Germans as they prodded their prisoners into the truck.
With their hands tied behind their backs, the men couldn't pull themselves into the rear. One of the men fell, weakened by a wound that had been crudely bandaged. The Germans threw him bodily into the truck, showing no regard for his injury. The others could only attempt to cushion his fall and give him support to lean against.
Saunders could see the flash of anger on Troy's face even across the distance that separated them.
The Captain carried on an animated conversation with the second officer for several minutes. He then took his seat in the cab of the truck and called to the driver who waited beside the other soldiers. The rest of the soldiers watched as the American truck drove away before returning to the farm house. Unknown to them, hostile eyes followed their progress angrily.
"Did we get in touch with that artillery unit yet?" Saunders called without looking away from the house.
"Yeah Sarge, they have the coordinates; they're just waiting for you to say when."
"Tell them it will be any moment now, be ready." The sergeant listened as his instructions were relayed. "Brockmeyer, can you cover the back if I cover the front?"
"Yeah Sarge."
"All you have to do is keep them inside until the artillery hits the house."
"I've got it Sarge."
"Hurry up, Caje will only have a short lead on them."
