The one time that I actually wanted the Rat Patrol, when I desperately needed to find them, they were nowhere to be found. I gave a bitter laugh of frustration. Of course I would be unable to find the remaining members: I had their leader. It was Troy who provided the team its strength as well as its direction. While Moffitt was a formidable opponent and brought exceptional skills to the battlefield, he was not Troy.

We had been in the Rat Patrol's last known area of operation for almost an hour and there was still no sign of them. If we maintained our direction, we would soon bisect the Allied occupied area and emerge at the edges of the formerly German held territory. I now had little choice but to continue moving. I had proceeded too far to return. With petrol running low, I doubted that we would have a sufficient enough supply to make it to the German lines.

I keenly scanned the horizon with my naked eyes, searching for any sign of them. I was met with nothing but emptiness. With no other options, I returned to the vehicle disappointed and despondent and continued driving.

Soon afterward, I found myself beginning to lose consciousness. The automobile began to weave slightly back and forth, occasionally drifting into the soft sand. The adrenalin which had fueled my flight had completely dissipated. I had had nothing to eat since before I was captured and very little to drink. I had become severely dehydrated. Given the drug use, trauma of the torture and the resulting blood loss, my blood pressure was beginning to drop rapidly.

I fought against it, but I could not stop the blackness from overtaking me. I slumped against the steering wheel. The automobile stalled and came to a slow halt.

Surprisingly, I felt comfortable and at peace. There was a cooling breeze wafting through the automobile, and I felt that now was as good as any time and place to die. I imagined someone gently brushing my dirty hair aside and kissing me lightly on the forehead. A woman's light touch, I thought. Not the rough, calloused hands I assumed Perkins to possess. Perhaps my assigned angel had finally been replaced with a caring and compassionate woman. I could only hope.

I lost all track of time. I was only conscious of my soft and relaxed breathing. But then, I became vaguely aware of the sounds of approaching light vehicles. Almost as if it was a dream, I could hear from far off the short burst of a .50 caliber weapon.

A man called out an order in French, still remote and distant. I was unable to comprehend his words. I then heard him repeat his order in German, followed soon by Arabic, each time his words were more forceful than the last.

I gradually was regaining consciousness when the .50 caliber was fired again, much closer. Now I knew it was not a dream.

I had finally found the remaining members of the Rat Patrol. Or more accurately, they had found us. Relief swept through me. It was something that I thought that I would never feel at the thought of an imminent confrontation with them.

"I'm giving you my final warning to you. Whoever you are, state your business or you will be fired upon. Next time we won't fire warning shots," Moffitt said in a sharp voice.

After a moment, I heard him order a man to proceed firing within the minute if there was no response.

I brought my head up with an effort, and attempted to focus my eyes. Although the Rat Patrol was still a safe distance away, they were closer than I thought they would be. My vision was still blurry, but I was able to see Moffitt's slight look of surprise when he recognized me.

"Raise your hands where I can see them, Captain. Then exit the vehicle. I won't ask you a second time," Moffitt ordered.

I slowly raised my hands and used my elbow to unlatch the door. It was an effort to leave the automobile and I needed to lean against it for support. Finally, I gathered my strength and took a few tentative steps towards Moffitt's voice.

My vision was clearing and I could see them off to my left. They had approached from behind on my left flank, using the large sand dunes for cover. The dunes surrounded us on three sides and I realized that if I had not passed out when I did, I would have driven directly into the foremost one. As it was, the automobile was mired in the soft sand. Even if I had regained consciousness, without the intervention of the Rat Patrol, it would have been impossible for Troy and myself to dislodge the vehicle in our current state.

I noticed the quiet private who drove for Moffitt gesture at my appearance. I could see Moffitt's shrewd eyes take in the blood covered shirt.

"Why are you here, Captain?" Moffitt was clearly focused on my reason for being in Allied territory and seemed to care about little else. "You must realize where you are. Are you surrendering early before the Afrika Korps' imminent end? Making the smart choice and defecting to the Allied side? You will be able to say you did it early, knowing Germany would lose. Beat the rush?"

"Hardly, Sergeant," was all I was able to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Well, whatever your reason for being here, since you are not defecting nor surrendering, you are now our prisoner. Just a tad earlier than your mates."

Finally, I was able to speak the words that I knew would matter to Moffitt above all else.

"I have Sergeant Troy."

The effect was instantaneous. Troy's young driver, Hitchcock, leaped from the .50 caliber weapon he had been manning.

"Hitch! Stand down!" yelled Moffitt, but it was too late to stop him. Hitchcock grabbed a rifle from the Jeep's scabbard, and ran past me. He quickly looked into the vehicle and saw Troy in the back seat.

"You dirty Kraut! What've you Nazis done to him?" Hitchcock yelled at me, murder in his eyes. He brought the rifle butt across my face, knocking me to the ground before he leaped on me. Moffitt was there in an instant, struggling to pull Hitchcock off of me while ordering the remaining private to immediately man the .50 caliber.

"Don't stop me, Moffitt. Look what he did to Sarge!" Hitchcock insisted.

"Behave!" With a warning look, Moffitt got off of Hitchcock. Then, he peered into the back of the automobile. Taking in Troy's condition, he winced, before turning his attention to me.

"What happened to Troy?" Moffitt demanded. "Captain, quickly explain how Troy ended up in his current state." Moffitt's voice was icy and without emotion. His light eyes were the same.

I knew in an instant that Moffitt was the deadlier of the two sergeants. It had been Troy who had tempered him all these months.

My words came slowly and with difficulty.

"Sergeant Troy and I were both captured by a profiteer named Stuart Guest in Ater. Guest believed I had colluded with the Rat Patrol to appropriate and hide Nazi gold before the fall of the Afrika Korps."

I paused for a moment, trying to get my breath. It was difficult for me to speak with Hitchcock on my chest.

"Private, get off me," I ordered him. My back was being pushed into the ground and my ruined flesh was screaming in agony.

"Hitch. Hitch!" Moffitt pulled at the boy's collar, almost as if he was ordering a hunting dog to release its prey.

Hitchcock slowly rose and backed away, never taking his eyes from me. I went to my knees, and then slowly stood up.

I saw Moffitt's eyes go to the back of my stolen shirt. "Bloody hell," I heard him mutter.

I could only imagine what it looked like to him. "Bloody Hell" probably summed it up perfectly.

"Hitch, the Captain is in the same condition as Troy," Moffitt said quietly, his tone suddenly reasonable. "Look at his shirt. His back is covered with blood." His eyes had also changed when he looked at me again. "What happened to the two of you when you were being held, Captain?"

My torture, touching and forced drug use suddenly felt very personal and I did not want to disclose it to Moffitt and the others. Suddenly, and without rational reason, I felt as ashamed as if what had happened had been my fault. I decided to offer only the briefest facts as explanation, Troy to provide the details regarding his own experiences if he saw so fit.

"Guest tortured us to tell him where the Nazi gold that Troy and I stole was hidden."

"Nazi gold?" Moffitt's eyebrows went up and he looked back at the car where Troy laid. "You don't say?" There was the barest hint of amusement in his expression. "Go on."

"Don't believe him, Sarge. He can't be trusted," Hitchcock urged. "He's lying."

"I speak the truth, Private Hitchcock," I said with authority, straightening myself. "I did not injure myself out of sympathy for Sergeant Troy's condition. But, believe what you care to." I shrugged. There was nothing more I was willing to share.

"Captain Dietrich is telling the truth," Troy said weakly from the back seat. "It's exactly what he said. Back off, Hitch."

At Troy's order, Hitchcock looked at me and then quickly colored, before averting his eyes to his feet.

"Sorry, Captain. I should have known better. You always treated us decently given the circumstances," he stammered.

I merely nodded at his contrition, rubbing my jaw as I did so.

Moffitt neatly stepped into the conversation.

"We knew something was strange when Troy didn't return when scheduled. We searched for him, but could find out absolutely nothing. We had no idea you were connected with his disappearance."

We all stood there in an awkward silence until Moffitt finally broke it.

"Do you need water?"

"Provide it to Sergeant Troy first. He is in far worse shape than I." A brief look of respect crossed Moffitt's face that I would see to my enemy first.

Troy could be heard protesting from the car that he was fine and that I was in worse shape.

Moffitt looked even more amused. He shook his head. "There is more than enough for the both of you. Tully, give Troy water and also bring a canteen to the Captain."

I drank the water slowly, Moffitt watching me intently as I did so.

"Did Troy provide you the coordinates of this location?" Moffitt asked when I had had my fill.

"No. Why do you ask?" I looked at him curiously, not understanding the significance behind his question.

"We've frequently quartered here due to its proximity to German territory. In fact, we used it as a staging area several times to hit your convoys. It provides good cover on three sides yet it's inconspicuous."

I nodded, agreeing that it was an excellent location from a strategic vantage.

Moffitt rubbed the stubble that darkened his jaw. "Interesting, isn't it? You were unaware of it yet somehow able to find it."

Ever the dedicated soldier, I silently cursed myself at the lost opportunity. My unit must have passed by it on scores of occasions. I had had several soldiers investigate it, but there was no indication of it being used at any the time.

"If I had known about it, I would have used it fully to my advantage," I said frankly looking him directly in the eye. Left unsaid was that their likely death would have resulted from the encounter.

"Understood," Moffitt replied, giving me a slight nod, as if he had heard my thoughts. "I would have been disappointed if you hadn't."

"What made you return today?" I asked him. "There is no Wehrmacht activity in this area."

"I'm not sure," he admitted. There was an odd look on his face. "We were returning from a routine patrol when something compelled me to perform a final sweep behind the dunes. When we spotted the vehicle, we had no idea it was the two of you. I suspected you were some unfortunate local who had become disorientated and lost in the desert. I became suspicious of a trap when there was no response to my calls."

Moffitt gestured to Troy and then glanced again at my back. "Now we understand why you didn't respond. Both of you are in desperate need of medical attention, more than what little we can provide you here. You are free to accompany us to an Allied field hospital, but I am unable to guarantee your release afterwards. Do you wish to officially surrender or defect, Captain?"

"Not in the slightest," I said firmly. "It appears you are as fixated on this topic, Sergeant Moffitt, as Sergeant Troy. I have no intentions of doing either. My choice is to rejoin my unit for what little time it has remaining. I will then surrender with my men, all of us together. The Afrika Korps still has some medical facilities at its disposal. I will seek care after I return."

"Honorable decision, Captain. Maybe not the smartest one," Moffitt pronounced, "but honorable to a fault. I'd expect no less."

I paused before asking my next question. It was a question I dreaded asking, but which I could no longer avoid.

"What is the current status of the Afrika Korps?"

"What remains is converging on Tunis. There have already been reports of surrender by a large number of German and Italian forces. I estimate complete surrender is within one to two weeks at the most."

It was as it Moffitt reported to me and was providing me with battlefield conditions for our unit. I respected his frankness and the complete lack of boasting or bragging of conquering his enemy.

"Thank you," I told him. "Now if you would excuse me, I have a pressing appointment with the American Army."

I went to reenter the automobile, but again began swaying. I was forced to lean against it to prevent myself from collapsing.

"In your condition you'll be lucky not to kill yourself, Captain, let alone make it to German lines if you drive that car."

Moffitt was silent for a moment and looked to be considering something carefully. I wondered what he was up to. I was surprised at what he said next.

"If you are comfortable enough, I will return you to your camp's last known location. I will also provide a confirmation to your unit regarding the reason for your absence. Note I will only do so on the condition that I am to be released afterwards and that I am allowed to return to an Allied location without any trouble from your men."

As much as I disliked having to accept Moffitt's proposal, I agreed that it was unlikely that I would succeed in reaching the German lines without his assistance. It was even more unlikely my superiors would believe my explanation regarding my absence without some type of evidence. No, I needed an independent confirmation, the validation Moffitt could provide.

I gave Moffitt a short nod, agreeing to his offer. I really had no choice, if I were to survive, it was necessary for me to accept it.

"I guarantee your return to the extent of German held territory."

"Good choice. Since we've arrived at an agreement, we should get started. Both of us will need to return to our respective areas before sundown." Moffitt turned to his men. "Tully, take Troy to the field hospital in the automobile. Hitch, you go with them in one of the Jeeps. I will return Captain Dietrich to his camp in the other Jeep. I'll meet back up with you at the camp."

Moffitt's driver quickly spoke up. The look of shock on his face was priceless.

"Do you really think this is a good idea?"

"I do," answered Moffitt. "Unless you have a better one?"

"Well, I mean, the Germans might not know that you have the Captain with you. You know how they are. They'll shoot first and ask questions later."

Hitchcock nodded. "And who's to say the other Germans will honor his guarantee of safe passage? They're probably a little antsy these days." He glanced quickly at me. "No offense, Sir."

"None taken," I responded with a tired grin. "I'm sure that you are right."

Moffitt inclined his head. "All valid points. However, Captain, I am willing to take the chance. After all, I owe you."

"Owe me?" I was almost afraid at what Moffitt was going to say next, my mind going to a day in the desert where I committed what could be easily considered treason and murder.

"You agreed to testify on my behalf regarding the contaminated plasma. You saved my life. I'm happy to return the courtesy that you once gave to me."

I almost sighed in relief. "I have little desire to become a casualty from my own men. I will grant you safe passage from my camp, Sergeant," I confirmed, echoing Troy's words from how many months or years ago? Had such little time actually elapsed? "A white flag will be honored by my men. It is unlikely you will be hindered on your return since the German presence in the area has become scarce."

There was no response to my logic but Moffitt's nod.

I looked to the sky and the position of the sun. "Sergeant Moffitt, I recommend an immediate departure."

Not waiting for Moffitt, I walked to the Jeep, brushing off his offers of assistance and, maintaining what little dignity I had. Moffitt crisply issued his remaining orders.

It took only a few minutes for the automobile to be pulled from the sand and refueled.

Moffitt checked on Troy for a final time, speaking with him briefly. I noticed Moffitt glancing my way every few seconds. I understood I was the topic of their conversation. I stared straight ahead, not wanting to catch his eye.

Moffitt soon joined me after his final words with Troy. "I'm usually the medic on our team. Would you care for me to examine your back, Captain? Looks nasty. Must feel even worse," he said with some sympathy."

"Sergeant, I am already aware of my condition," I said. "Unfortunately, I am also aware that there is nothing you would be able to do for it."

"Morphine? We have a sufficient amount. I have already administered some to Troy. The upcoming terrain will be rough," Moffitt warned. "It won't be a gentle ride in the Jeep."

"No," I said firmly. How could I admit to Moffitt that as much as I deeply desired the drug, that it would be dangerous for me to accept it? Instead, I redirected Moffitt to the matter at hand.

"We are quickly losing daylight, Sergeant. If you are to return me to my unit and return yourself before nightfall, it would be best if we left immediately."

"I agree, Captain."

Tully exited the area first in the automobile, closely followed by Hitchcock in the other Jeep. We left afterwards, quickly traveling in the opposite direction, the Jeep easily finding traction on the soft terrain.

We had already driven a few kilometers before I remembered that I had left without exchanging any parting words with Troy. I roughly pushed any sentimental thoughts aside. The desert war encompassing the both of us would cease shortly and we would be traveling down different paths of life.

Despite that, I knew that Destiny had something different in mind.

I would speak with Troy again, in the final days of Germany, almost two years into the future.