A Farmer's Courage
Note: You know the rules....
Chapter 9: Radio Relay
(Jack's Journal)
Summer 27th, 1944
"It was terrible. This morning, Popuri's body was hanged by those assholes in the town square, just like what that Lieutenant says. How could they do such a thing? The resistance members, along with the escaped P.O.Ws were shocked to look at this scene. Elli cried when she saw this. As far as I know, Popuri was her best friend. Ann and Karen were now comforting Elli, and tell her to forget about what she just saw this morning (and I know that it's damn difficult to forget it). Damn Germans. Rick has informed us that he nearly finish his radio with the help of Gray. Now, we could call in reinforcements from Britain to help us retake the island."
(Back to Jack)
We all sat in an underground room, eating our meals. No one spoke a word this evening after what they saw this morning. And I myself agree that it WAS a terrible scene. The Germans were tying her arms and legs in a pole, and hangs it in the square. Popuri's blood stains her dress, while most of it drips to the floor. Damn, I couldn't forget the damn thing out of my mind! I need to concentrate on this mission!
"Hey Jack"
Finally! About time somebody in this room broke the silence!
"What is it Karen?"
"While you guys were gone, Ann, the sprites, and I, ambush another German convoy from the beach carrying more captured weapon of the allies. They're taking them here so the German engineers could copy the weapon for a better, much more improved armament."
"Oh, that's interesting."
"Yeah, you could bet it is!"
Ann's voice cut our conversation.
"We even got one of those drum magazine for your Thompson! Neat, huh?"
Cliff's head lift up.
"You mean one of those Thompson's those mafias in New York uses?"
Ann shook her head
"Nawh, we didn't have any of those "classic" Tommy guns, we only have their drum magazine."
"Only the drum magazine?" I asked, hoping she was joking (As she normally would).
"Yep! Only the drum magazine, I'll show them to you when we finish our meals."
Damn it. No joke.
After the meal Ann led us to the supply stash, where we kept all of our food, weapons, and ammos. I still wonder how they haul all of those crates down here. Better ask her.
"Say, Ann!" I called her while walking to the supply stash.
"How do you haul all of those crates down here?"
"Yeah, I was wondering about that too." Cliff.
She shook her head and sighed.
"Ever ask the sprites for dirty jobs? Like, hiring them for carrying boxes, or barrels, or some other stuff to somewhere?"
"No" I answered.
"My father did that once, he hired the sprites to carry 20 barrels of wine from the winery to our inn. The sprites carry one barrel each. You should see their faces turn red! Boy, its damn funny!"
She giggled for a second remembering her past....but stopped.
"I miss my father; wish he was here with us. If only I could....If only I could just...."
Tears start running in her eyes. Damn, I hate to see woman cry.
"It's not your fault that your father died Ann. In a war, nobody knows when they will die." I tried to comfort her
"Jack's right Ann, even both of us don't know when we will die." Both of us were trying to comfort her.
"Your father was watching over you from heaven by now. He's now safe in the hands of the Lord."
I handed my handkerchief to her.
"Thanks Jack, Cliff. Those words comfort me..."
She wipes her tears and continues moving through the tunnel.
We reach the tunnel at 1000 hr at night and was curious enough to see the Thompson's drum magazine Ann told us about.
"Here they are fella's, the Tommy gun's drum magazine! 50 rounds, and makes quite a racket when used."
Ann opens the crates and hand us 1 magazine each.
"Try loading your Thompson with these, see if it works."
"What if it didn't?"
"If it didn't work, sadly it's the Russian PPSH-41 drum magazine. We didn't have those in stock."
"What are we gonna' do with it then?" Cliff reads my mind.
"Take their rounds, and throw em' out."
We grab our Thompson and try loading it with the drum magazine. And guess what? It WORKS! It really works! Woohoo!!
"Jack! It works! It works! Neat!"
"I know Cliff, I know! But I rather use the old magazine rather than the drum one since it's quite noisy when the bullets rattle through."
"Well I'm going to use the drum since it loads more ammo. I could storm a German garrison with this baby!"
"Glad you guys liked them; you could test them later when you're on your mission." Ann grinned at us while picking a few magazines for her colt 1911s.
"Let's get back to the main tunnels, the others could be waiting. Leave those guns here; you wouldn't need it for now."
A few minutes later we were walking back to the main tunnel systems. While on our way, we pass over Rick's room.
"NO!!!" Wonder what happens?
"Look at what you have done! You've destroyed the most important piece in the radio! The frequency descriptor! Now we could not finish the damn radio since there are insufficient requirements! You could kiss your U.S soldier's ass goodbye!"
"I broke it? Oh, listen here, Gray, without your help, I could finish this damn radio myself!"
"Oh, yeah? Prove it! I bet it won't work since you are clumsy enough to get us all killed!"
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah!"
We walk over to Rick's room, wandering what had happen.
"What the fuck is going on in here?" Gray and Rick were arguing over something, whatever it is.
"Rick here destroyed the frequency descriptor. Now I could not finish the damn radio!"
"What!? Who the fuck do you think you are? It's MY idea to construct a radio and it is MY effort to strip those German panzers's radio! And you know what? It is not an easy task goddamn it!"
Oh boy, here we go again.
"Stop it you two! Were at war now, could we just fix the damn thing you were talking about?" Ann tries to stop the fight.
"It's not as easy as you think Ann, with the damage of the frequency descriptor, and insufficient tools, it is almost impossible to repair the radio! I need new or working radio parts!"
"If you need more radio parts, or working ones, then why didn't you say so? Go and get it from my downed Spitfire by the lake! I bet the radio is still working. And oh! By the way, grab my black box along with it too."
"It's not that easy Gray." Cliff.
"To get to the lake, we must past Gotz's house, which is now turned into an outpost, which is near the P.O.W camp! Along with the escape of the P.O.Ws, they have tightened the security by deploying MG-42 all the way up the hill and through the roads! There is no way were going to pass that!"
"You could use the tunnel which leads to the forest behind Gotz's house, but it ain't gonna' be easy maneuvering through the mountain at night!" Ann.
"The Germans had also deployed a few patrol groups to search for our hide out, and the escape P.O.Ws. Most of them were wandering in the Forest Mountains."
"Are there any possible way we could get pass them without alerting the whole garrison?"
"Yes Jack, there is a possible way but it would be a very risky thing to do since we don't have the right equipment!"
"Are there any safer way we could get to the downed plane?"
"You really want to do this?"
We all nod our heads.
"Okay, the safest way is to move stealthily through the dark forest carrying a silenced weapon."
"Um....do we have any of those silenced weapons?" Cliff knows what they are, the Sten mark II (silenced version).
"NO! That's the point! We did not have any silenced weapons!"
"But we have what it takes, Elite training!" I convinced myself to do the mission.
"That's right Jack! We have what it takes! I'll go grab my Thompson and the new drum magazine. Gray, you're coming with us! We might need you to identify the parts."
"WHAT!? YOU GUYS ARE REALLY GOING!?" Ann looked very surprised.
"That is SUICIDE! You could get yourself killed out there!"
"Better die trying than nothing!" Cliff was convinced real good.
"I'm with you man!" Gray's coming with us.
"If you guys really are going, pass the supply stash and turn left. That tunnel leads to the forest."
"Great! I'm on it!" Cliff and Gray then rush through the tunnel.
Ann followed us until we pass the supply stash. Cliff and Gray were waiting for me at the exit while I grab myself a piece.
"Jack...." Ann calls me in her soft voice. She approaches me slowly and slowly.......kisses me......
"Be careful, I....don't know what I should do if both of you....."
"Jack!! What's taking you so long? Hurry up!"
"Please, comeback in one piece, Jack..."
She starts walking off back to the main tunnel system.
"Never see that one coming. That was quite a something."
I load my Thompson (with the 20 round magazines) and walk to the tunnel exit. Hope Cliff knows what he's doing.
The moon's ray lightens the dark forest as we crept out of the tunnel. In the silent night, we could hear the sounds crickets and Krauts talking. Most of the sounds were coming in from Gotz's hut. I could spot two Krauts and an MG-42 post by the road. A German Kubelwagen was parked outside of Gotz's house.
"Get down! German Patrols!" Cliff's on point for this mission.
"One of them is heading toward this direction!" I whisper at Cliff, he noticed it too.
"Got any silent weapons?"
"We don't have those; my only silent weapon was this dagger."
I pulled out my Fairbrand Sykes from my pocket.
"That will do. Give me that."
Cliff holds the blade and was ready to throw, he stand up slowly, but carefully without alerting the guard. He lifts his hand up, and was looking at his target. He throws the dagger, the dagger fly in mid-air and stabs the kraut bastard in the neck.
"Dead on!" Cliff grinned. I knew we could count on him.
I approach the corpse and pulled the dagger of off his neck. The kraut we just killed was young, around 17 to 20 years old.
We crawl behind Gotz's house to the first MG-42 by the road. The crew looks tired; it looks like they have been on guard for days, or maybe weeks. Cliff nudge at me, he had something up his head.
"Jack, I will need your help on this one, we'll sneak up on the MG crew and cut their throats. You take care the one in the right, I'll take care the one on the left, move!" Hope he knows what he's doing since I failed the stealth tests in the army.
We crept along in the dark shadows of the forest. Gray was on guard and was ready to open fire anytime. The soldiers still have not detected us. That's good. It is going smooth so far.
"Have you heard? The lieutenant had decided and had gotten direct order from the Fuhrer himself! We're moving to invade Britain two days from now, those Brit's will be caught by surprise!"
"I'm a bit worried about this plan though, I don't think were well equipped for this "secret" operation. Remember Operation Sea Lion? The Fuhrer had under estimated the British three years ago!"
"Relax Hank, the soldiers, pilots, and crews stationed in this island were the best of the best loyal SS troopers, paratroopers, pilots, and tank crew from all over the battlefield!"
"But most of us are not part of the Best of the Best! Most of our soldiers from the main fronts were stationed here."
"We're just sent here to support the SS troopers and paratroopers for the invasion. Remember, the Blitzkrieg won't work without the support of ground troops."
The crews were chattering as we crept silently up on them. We then grab them by their mouth and cut their throats. Their lifeless body falls to the soft soil. Everything is going smoothly.
"I'm going back to the town for patrol; it is nice knowing y......ALARM! ALARM! Resistance fighters! Guards! Their here!"
Oh shit. Didn't see that guard coming, talk about stealth.
"Okay Jack, there is no way we're going to move silently through the forest since they have noticed our presence, right Gray?"
"I agree with that, shall we return fire?"
"I guest we should, it's bang-bang time!"
I pull the trigger, sending burst of hot metal rod flying through the dark night. Muzzle flashes from a series of guns were lit everywhere.
"Move up the hill and make sure you find cover! Knock out any moving krauts you encounter!"
We dash through the mountains, trailed by a few soldiers. Cliff fires his Thompson in their direction. He's enjoying his drum magazine.
"MG-42 post by the hot spring and ahead by the tunnel! Dive for cover!"
We found a boulder by the forest by the tunnel. The MG-42 bullets were chipping off the rock piece by piece. Cliff however, was firing a few short burst at the Germans who's after us.
"I might be an R.A.F pilot, but I still know how to use a rifle!"
Gray turns his backs and aims his M1-Garand at the post by the hot spring. He fires a few rounds at them. The crew was still firing, knowing their life will end soon.
"One MG post down, the other one is still firing."
"Wait for them to reload Gray, and then fire a few rounds at them!"
The sound of the machine gun stopped.
"Sir, the machine gun's over heated!"
That's our chance!
"Now Gray, get those bastards!"
He fires round per round at the post, sending another kraut to hell.
"The machine gun posts down! Let's move it go! Go! Go! Cliff, move it now!"
We dash through the tunnel, still being tailed by them. Reinforcements of SS troopers were coming over the tunnel exit. I lift my piece and start firing at them, knocking them out cold. Blood spilled everywhere as we dash through the tunnels.
"Another machine gun post by the lake!"
The crews were caught by surprise and got no time to react. Gray and I fired a few rounds at them and killed them. We ran past the machine gun post and head to the downed Spitfire. A few soldiers were camped at the wreckage.
"Jack, cover me! I'm going to dash straight at the wreckage, we've spend more time than we should!"
Gray immediately dashes to the wreckage. What the hell is he thinking!? With all do respect, those krauts won't just let him walk straight to the wreckage! Fuck this!
I fired my Tommy gun once again. This time, those krauts have time to react and return fire. I got hit in my left arm, but it's just a clean through wound. I reload my Thompson and fire another round at the small group. They got no chance this time.
"Thanks Jack, although we were still being tailed by a few Germans, I think Cliff can hold them off."
"EAT ME!!!"
A loud burst of MG-42 can be heard in our tail. I turn my head and saw Cliff manning the MG-42. What the fuck is Cliff doing!? Is he trying to wake the whole garrison? Well, the whole garrison probably awakens by now.
"Gray hustle up! I don't think were strong enough to hold the whole garrison with Tommy guns and MG-42 any longer!"
I fire my Thompson as I talk, assisting Cliff.
"Okay, okay, I'm working on it! It's not easy to grab this radio piece you know!"
"Our Father who art in Heaven..."
"God's busy; it's up to you now Gray!" Damn it, can he just hustle up?
I kept on firing and loading my gun as Gray keeps working on the wreckage.
"Gray! Reinforcements were coming in from the hill! We might not hold any longer!"
"Okay, okay! Hold it off for a few more minutes! OW! Goddamn cables, Jack could we stop talking for a while? I'm working here!"
Who the hell does he think we are? Super Soldiers!?
"There! I got it! I got it! Let's get out of here fast!"
Finally! What took him so long?
"Okay Cliff, let's move! We don't have all day!"
"Hold on Jack, I'm getting used to the MG-42!"
"We've already had two heavy gunners! We don't need another one! C'mon Cliff, let's move!"
I grab him by the collar. He startled and quickly grabs his Thompson.
"What you do that for?" He stares at me with an unpleasant look while we run down the hill.
"Just shut up and follow, we don't have enough fire power for bang-bang party with those assholes up there."
We followed Gray as he dash down the mountain. The path was a bit clear since most of them were eliminated by Cliff's Thompson. There were still some foolish krauts trying to hold us though.
"Okay guys, into the forest tunnel shall we?"
"I don't think that's a good idea Gray, we could accidentally reveal our hide out since we were still being tailed.'
"Cliff's right Gray, we better loose them in the town since the night was foggy enough. Karen told me that a new tunnel had been finished under Ellen's house. We could get to the tunnel system from there and loose the tail since it's not that far from here."
We ran past the farm and into the rubbles of Mineral Town. The foggy night gives the three of us cover, but it also gives us problem running in the midst. I could not hear any more of the trailers. Why did they stop? Were they tired on chasing after us? Or did they have something else in their mind? We kept on running and running. We did eventually bumped on two or three patrol groups but we took care of them. But we strangely encountered soldiers by the window and rooftops armed with KAR 98K, and most of them were the Waffen SS troopers (German elite units in WW II).
"Jack! Cliff! I think we made it! We have definitely loss them! Now lets quickly...."
A loud bang from a KAR 98K was heard in the distance. Gray suddenly falls backwards to the ground. Sniper! The soldiers we encountered were snipers on guard! Lucky we spot them first before they spot us. But not this time....
"Sniper! Find cover fast!"
I warn Cliff before he got the same fate as Gray.
I roll myself to the left and take cover in a nearby tree as Cliff dive to the rubbles of the winery.
"Aaaahkkh....I'm....hit..."
"Hold on buddy, try to stay awake! We're gonna' get you out of here! I promise!"
"Jack, are you sure what you've just said? We were pinned down with a sniper that we're not sure of the exact location! We might not get out of here alive you know!"
"Damn....owww....my shoulder....I....I'm hit...."
Gray was in pain real bad. A small pool of blood was by his shoulder, he's losing it.
"Stay up buddy! Cliff, if you are the sniper, where would you sit?"
"I don't know! I never had been assigned as a marksman or a sniper!"
"So do I. Do you think Gray spot the muzzle flash?"
"I don't spot any goddamn muzzle flash. All I know is that I am now lying in my own pool of blood."
We're pinned down. Pinned down by one goddamn sniper and never knowing its right location. We've experience this situation before when were on duty in Italy. Our sergeant sacrifices Johnson while he snipes the sniper. Unfortunately, the sniper got the sergeant first, and then after Johnson. Jason (one of my fellow soldier in the squad) then grabs the sniper rifle and kills the Italian bastard. He was then promoted as our sergeant, and as a marksman for saving our asses. It's disappointing that he is not recruited by the O.S.S personnel.
"Jack, got a good idea where this bastard could be hiding?" Cliff stares at me, telling me that we need to move on.
"We need to move now or else we're going to loose Gray."
"That's right Jack! (Cough)"
"Shut up Gray!"
We could hear noises once again coming over from the farm. Their back, those krauts were still after us.
"Jack, you better act fast or we will be pancakes in a minute or two!" Cliff was reloading his Thompson, getting ready.
I need to act fast. What should I do? My Thompson can't hit a target so far away. But Gray's M1 Garand could....
"Cliff, I need you to spot the location of this kraut sniper up ahead while I grab Gray's M1 rifle."
"What? Are you out of your mind!? That bastard that you're talking about is a sniper; a sniper is armed with a rifle mounted with a scope, which means 100 accuracy! You could get yourself killed!"
"Never interrupt your enemy when he makes mistakes."
I holster my Thompson and dove from my cover, reaching the M1 Garand. The sniper fires another round and scratches me in the torso. I grab the M1 Garand and dove for cover as he fires another round and hit my canteen. I dove for Cliff as he laid covering fire with his Thompson. The sniper fires another round which hit my helmet, sending it off my head. I reach Cliff as the sniper fires his last round and misses. I was one lucky bastard.
"Now Jack! Now! Library silo second floor!"
I aimed the rifle at the silo window. Slowly, I spot a dark figure moving. The sniper had fired his last round and failed, revealing his location. I fire the whole rifle round at the window. The dark figure then lifts his rifle, and falls back into the darkness. I've killed the sniper.
"Nice work Jack! Nice work! Now let's get moving!"
I drop the M1 Garand and carries Gray by the shoulder. Thank Lord that he is still breathing. Cliff then lays another covering fire at our tail as we move on to Ellen's house.
I kick the door open. Cliff was by my side, feeding his Thompson with the drum magazine. I lay Gray by the stove as I search for the other tunnel entrance. I found it a minute later, under the shelf. I slid the shelf aside and open the hatch. I lift Gray and enter the tunnel, with Cliff on our tail. He closes the hatch and plant a dynamite to prevent the Germans from discovering the hide out. The loud blast rungs my ear, I couldn't hear a shit for a second. We continue moving through the narrow tunnel, guided by light bulbs. We finally reach the mess hall.
"Jack, you've done enough for today, let me carry Gray to the field hospital while you get yourself a good rest."
"Yeah, thanks Cliff. Gray, you still awake?"
"I am buddy, and I......I think......I'm gonna' make it."
Gray gives me a thank you smile.
"Oh, Jack. Hand this radio piece to Rick and tell him that I'm sorry for what I've said."
Gray pulls the piece from his pilot leather jacket and hands it to me.
"I will buddy, I will. Now get some rest so you would recover quickly."
I handed Gray to Cliff. He then continues to carry him to the Field Hospital.
"Hey, watch the shoulder! Watch it! Be careful will ya'?" Gray....the war had definitely changed his anti-social characteristics.
"Jack! Miss Ann! Miss Ann! Jack's back!" Stu and May found me sitting in the mess hall alone.
"Miss Ann had been worried sick about you, you know!"
"Oh, is she?"
"Jack? Jack is that you?"
I turn my head. Ann was standing, staring at me with Rick by his side.
"It is you! Thank Lord you're okay!"
She approaches me in a hurry and sighed.
"Never attempt that again! You could get yourself killed one day!" She gave me a really serious look.
First, Stu and May said she's worried sick about me, now, when we finally met each other, she gave me that serious look! Ann, Ann. Typical.
"Jack, got that piece for me?" Rick.
"Here you go Rick, and oh, Gray said that he apologize on what he said this afternoon."
I hand over the piece to him.
"Yeah, I apologize on what I've did this afternoon too. Send my regards to him will you?"
I nod my head.
"Thanks Jack, I know I could count on you. Okay kids, let's go play somewhere else and leave these two alone."
"What do you mean about that!?" Ann slightly blushes.
"Nothing, I don't mean anything!"
Rick then leaves the room with the kids. He gives me that Go-Get-Her-Now look at me. I just answer him with a grin.
"Jack....you're wounded." Ann looks at my wound on my left arm.
"Nawh, it's nothing. It's just a regular clean straight through wound. It'll recover in a few days."
She shook her head.
"I'll get that take care of. Wait here for a second."
She leaves the room in a dash and return with a first aid kit. She treats my wound and bandaged it.
"There, that's a lot better now, right?"
I nod my head.
"It does, thank you Ann."
She gave me that cute smile and sat beside me.
"Jack....I need to talk with you about something...."
I turn my head, facing her. This night's getting interesting.
"Jack...I........"
"Hey, hey OW! Watch it you shit head! NOOO don't use that thing doc! No, NO! I will definitely kill you after I get out of this mess!"
A loud racket can be heard from the tunnel, leading to the Field Hospital.
"Goddamn it could you just stop moving for a second? Elli! Hold his legs for me, Cliff, hold his arms!" Doctor Tim was struggling to hold Gray (I think).
"Doc, please no! Don't use it! I'm fine doc! I'm fine! Don't use those, NOOO!!!" What the hell's going on over there?
"I'll just inject this morphine to you! Hold still, and I'll make this quick!"
"Jack! Get your ass over here!" Cliff calls just right when the pressure started. Excellent timing asshole, you blew it.
I sighed deeply and face Ann.
"We'll talk about this some other time Ann, duty calls."
I then dashes to the field hospital and assist Doctor Tim and Cliff.
Author's Note:
Another chapter is done. I've change my writing style a bit after a few lessons I had in my English class at school. What do you think? Like it? Hate it? Or simply just confused? If you like it better than the old writing style, I'll update and fix the chapters I've written with the new style. If not, I'll leave it just as is, and continue the next chapter using the old writing style (confusing, huh?). Anyways, I was kind of wondering on making another story when this story's finish. Should I make the sequel (Ann's P.O.V on what happens to her when the German invades), the continuation (A Farmer's Courage 2: Vietnam 67'), or start a new story (eg: Life and Crimes. (The story of Jack, Cliff, Gray, Rick, and the villagers of Mineral Town (some) working for the Mafia .Setting doesn't have to be in Mineral Town). There, I've blurted out all of my plans. I would really respect some of those reviews and supports.
Review and help Please!