Chapter Eleven
Forty-Eight Hours Later
Peenemünde, Germany
The Cobra Unit was sitting quietly by the campfire with a few members of the British Special Operations Executive. At first The Boss was a little apprehensive about joining forces with another unit. After all, her unit had done just fine without any support at all. But after a few of her initial reservations were quelled, she warmed up to the idea of being with the SOE.
The Special Operations Executive, much like her own unit was trying new innovative ways of taking down the Nazi forces. They too had a very high success rate with little to no causalities. And her most favorite thing about this group, they weren't afraid to take orders from a woman. They all very much respected and sought her opinion from the second they met her.
Another very good thing about this group they got along well with the members of her unit. Normally the men in the Cobra Unit were ones to get to friendly with another unit, but for some reason they couldn't help but become sociable around them. During the day, The Fear and two others went hunting for food, and their mission was an overwhelming success. They had come back with a bountiful feast of rabbits, quail, and duck. Meanwhile, a few other men had gone off with The End to learn from his years of experience in sniping techniques, while the others sat and listened to all he had to teach. The day's events were very joyful, but now it was time for both units to settle down and get some much needed rest before tomorrow's difficult mission.
According to The Sorrow's reconnaissance report, the Peenemünde compound was the most fortified structure in all of Germany. Fifty guards were on constant patrol outside compound. They were armed with MP38 sub-machine guns as well as equipped with two Nebelwerfer anti-tank guns. If the guards patrolling the area used the Nebelwerfer against them, both units would be decimated in an instant. There would be nothing they could do against two anti-tank guns.
However, The Sorrow's report wasn't all bleak, the outside of the compound may have been heavily guarded, but the inside was virtually devoid of any enemy personal. Inside was full of nothing but scientist, workers, and minimal ground support that carried handguns as opposed to the sub-machine guns the guards outside carried. The Boss had a plan to take down the guards and secure the perimeter so the Special Operations Executive could come in and raze the compound. With all the plans for tomorrow's attack in place, both units slept bundled up in their sleeping bags.
Sometime during the very early morning hours, The Fear was struck with a sudden need to empty his bladder. Taking a short walk past the peacefully sleeping members of the two units, he walked until he came to a secluded patch of bushes. As he proceeded, he could hear the sound of two people whispering silently to each other. Quickly finishing up, straightened up his uniform before investigating the silent chatter. Taking a few steps toward a nearby tree, he unhinged his shoulder blades and quickly climbed up the tree to get a better view.
Surveying the land he finally got a good view of where the whispers were coming from and who was talking. Thankfully it was just The Boss and The Sorrow. Realizing that there was nothing to be alarmed about, The Fear began to climb down the tree, when he saw The Sorrow kiss The Boss passionately on the lips.
His eyes widened ten fold and his jaw dropped as he saw the pair kissing and embracing each other. If he hadn't of see it with his own eyes he would have never believed it. The Boss and The Sorrow! This couldn't be right. For a moment he thought maybe he was dreaming. That had to be the answer. The Boss would never let anyone get close to her, so this just had to be a dream. But the blinding pain he felt from unhinging his limbs was no dream. It was the only thing that kept him bound to reality right now.
Shocked into silence, The Fear climbed down the tree and placed his shoulder blades back in their sockets. Walking back to the camp and nestling himself back into his sleeping bag, The Fear just shook his head in disbelief. The Boss and The Sorrow, kissing? With passion! Quite honestly he didn't think either of them had those feeling inside them, but as The Boss always says, on the battlefield anything is possible.
The next morning, all the troops were packing up the campground and gearing up for the demolition mission. Tanks roared to life, as the dust kicked up from the treads it blanketed the campground in a fine yellow mist. Soldiers prepared their weapons and equipment for what could be a potentially long and deadly battle. The entire ground was bustling with pre-mission excitement and adrenalin. As the members of the Cobra unit were packing up, The Fear kept looking at The Sorrow with this strange look. It still perplexed him, even hours after he saw them in a warm embrace. How could The Boss and The Sorrow be together romantically? Sometime before the mission began, he had to find out the answer.
Continuing to get everything the needed together, The Boss took a moment to pull the Cobra unit aside and give them a last minute pep talk.
"Okay gentleman." She said sternly. "This is going to be possibly the most dangerous mission we've ever been sent on, but I know we'll be able to aid in taking down plant. Since we are taking the front position, it's vital that you all pay especially close attention to your surroundings. Don't take anything for grant it, because I don't trust the Nazi's they are cunning, but we are even more sly then they are. After all, we are the Cobra Unit. I expect nothing but professionalism out there."
"Yes Boss." The all agreed.
"I know all of you will give me your best." She said with a smile. "Now, let's take them down!"
The group broke from their huddle and finished up with any final preparations they may have had. While the others were getting ready The Fear walked over to The Sorrow. Now was a good opportunity to discuss what he saw between he and The Boss.
"Yes." The Sorrow said gently. "What is it The Fear?"
"I have something I've been wanting to speak to you about."
The Sorrow didn't answer.
"Would you mind stepping this way?" He said walking a few yards away from the other troops.
"No." The Sorrow said following him.
When they were a fairly safe distance away from the others, The Fear began to speak.
"This morning I saw you and The Boss together."
The Sorrow did not say anything; he just waited for The Fear to continue.
"I saw you two kissing." The Fear finished.
"I see." The Sorrow said almost inaudibly.
"It's been bothering me all morning." He said. "I know it's none of my concern, but I just can't help but worry this will interfere with our unit."
"Don't worry." The Sorrow reassured. "Our personal relationship will not interfere with the unit."
"How do I know that for certain?" The Fear asked skeptically.
"You just have to trust me." He said sternly. "Besides, The Boss is hardly the kind of woman who would let her personal feelings impede a mission."
The both turned and looked back toward the camp and their eyes focused on The Boss who was strapping her sten gun to her back. As The Fear looked at her, he knew The Sorrow was absolutely right. She had the same happy, yet determined face she always had before a mission. She didn't appear to have anything else on her mind other then completing the mission without fail.
"I suppose you're right." The Fear said turning his attention back to The Sorrow.
"I…" The Sorrow said softly. "I have a deep affection for The Boss, but I would never stop her from completing her mission. Even at the risk of my own life."
"I understand." The Fear said. "And listen, you're secret is safe with me. I'll carry it to my grave."
"Thank you The Fear." The Sorrow said graciously.
"I have to admit," The Fear said. "I was very shocked when I saw you both. I didn't think The Boss was the kind of woman who liked men."
"The Sorrow!" The Boss shouted seeing them calmly talking in the distance. "The Fear! Come on you two stop socializing, we're getting ready to pull out!"
"Coming." They both answered in unison.
"In any case," The Fear said starting to walk back towards the others. "Take care of The Boss. I can tell you love her more then you care to admit."
The Sorrow knew The Fear spoke the truth. He did love The Boss more then he let on, but he didn't want their outside romance to cause any discourse between the unit. The Cobras were like a family and for a The Fear and The Pain it was the only family they had ever known. Both of them were abandon by their parents and they were forced to live a lonely solitary life until now. If something happened between he and The Boss, he would never have it impact the unit to the point of their breaking up. Walking back toward the camp The Sorrow prepared his weapon for battle as both units headed in the direction of the Peenemünde compound.
The sun blazed brightly in the mid-autumn sky as the Cobra unit made their slow ascent to the Peenemünde V-1 plant. It was just as The Sorrow said, a very large and heavily guarded on all sides. The only side that wasn't guarded was the rear of the facility which was propped up by a large mountain. Looking through her binoculars, The Boss saw how many guards patrolled the parameter. From the looks of things it didn't appear to be fifty of them, but there could be other's spread out around the entire complex.
"There appears to be twelve men guarding each side of the compound." She whispered softly. "How many did you say there were in all The Sorrow?"
"Fifty." He answered softly.
"Hm?" She said looking back into her binoculars. "Well, 12x4 48, but where are the other two guards?"
"Standing at the ready behind the Nebelwerfer." He answered.
The Boss looked around the complex to see if she could spot the two anti-tank Nebelwerfer's. After a short glance she saw the first one, which was pointing towards the northwest forest and it did indeed have a single soldier waiting to fire. Then she looked around and saw the other one, which was facing in their general direction. If that man had even the slightest inclination there was going to be an assault, he would most definitely fire a few rounds without hesitation.
"I see them both." She said taking down the binoculars. "Okay, The Pain I'll need you and your hornets to take the men at the Nebelwerfer's down. No doubt more guards will come to help them, when they do, I want you The End and you The Fear to cut them down. By that point they will know they are under attack, and we will take on the remaining guards. Whatever you all do, I want to make sure they don't get a chance to use those Nebelwerfer's, understood."
"Yes Boss." They all agreed softly.
"We only have fifteen minutes before the SOE arrive." She said looking at her watch. "So let's commence the operation."
Crawling on his belly, The Pain slowly made his way to where the first Nebelwerfer anti-tank cannon sat. Once he got as close as he could without being spotted, he sent out the first swarm of hornets, which instantly covered the helpless guard. As soon as they heard the unlucky man's screams of agony, three of the guards went to assist him, but were also being stung by The Pain's hornets.
The Boss looked through the binoculars again and saw that there were still a lot of men patrolling around the compound and now the commanding officers were no doubt commanding them to tighten up security.
"The End." She said softly.
"Yes Boss." He said.
"Can you see the commanding officer from your current position?" She asked.
He paused a second and peered through his rife scope to get a fix on where there commanders were. Once he had them in his sights he answered her, "Yes Boss I see them."
"Take them down."
The End got a fix on the first commander and fired a deadly shot right through his skull. Blood and bits of brain splattered all over the body of the young soldier who he was giving instructions too. The young man's blue eyes widened with fear. It was evident he didn't know what to do, but before he had the chance to contemplate his actions, a bright silver arrow struck the poor young man through heart and he fell to the ground in a heap.
The Nazi guards were now well aware they were being attacked and they began firing blindly towards the woods. The Boss and the other members of the Cobra unit ducked for cover as the bullets whizzed past them. While they were incapacitated for the moment, the Nazi's began to turn the Nebelwerfer that was facing the northwest forest in their direction.
"Shit!" The Boss exclaimed. "They're preparing the other Nebelwerfer, we'll have to attack."
The Boss pulled out her sten gun and began to fire back at the Nazi forces. The Pain crawled back to the unit and pulled out his Tommy gun to assist The Boss in cutting down the patrolling soldiers.
"The End and The Fear." She said. "If you can, try to take out the man working the Nebelwerfer."
Both The End and The Fear turned their attentions from their targets to the men working the Nebelwerfer. The Nazi's were trying their hardest to avoid the fire while trying to load each of the six massive rockets into the chamber of the cannon. Focusing intently, The End focused on one of the men and fired a shot that penetrated though his neck. The other's tried to carry on, but they were no match for The End and The Fear who cut though them quickly, sparing no one who dared to go near the enormous cannon.
"The Sorrow." She commanded as she continued to fire at the remaining men. "Take a grenade and destroy the Nebelwerfer."
"Yes Boss." He said sternly.
Hearing that stern voice The Boss briefly turned her attentions away from her shooting and to The Sorrow, who once again wasn't wearing his glasses and his this really stern frightening look about his face. She couldn't help but grimace, because she knew he had coaxed another dead soldier into himself so he could use their abilities. It was a trait she hated to see him use. However now wasn't the time to contemplate his actions, she had to focus on the mission. She would discuss it with him at another time.
Turning her attentions back to firing, The Boss took out three soldiers, while The Sorrow took a grenade, pulled the pin, and tossed it at the Nebelwerfer. Once the bomb reached its target, a bright flash of light, brighter then the sun's rays, danced through the air and exploded the Nebelwerfer. The men who were running up to take on the unknown enemies that dared disrupt the compound were also caught in the blast. Charred bodies flew through the air as they screamed their final death cries and fell to the ground in a lifeless heap.
"Now the remaining Nebelwerfer…"
"I'm already on it." The Fury said tossing a grenade towards the other cannon.
The Boss smiled and continued to fire at the Nazi forces. Thankfully there weren't too many soldiers left to defend the compound and with both Nebelwerfer's destroyed, this made the SOE's job a piece of cake. The Boss noticed that her sten gun was finally running out of ammunition, she asked for The Fury to cover her, while she reloaded her gun. Pulling back and letting The Fury take over, The Boss pulled out another ammo belt and loaded it into the gun.
"Shit!" She heard The Pain exclaim. "It's a grenade, everyone scramble!"
Before she had a chance to react, The Sorrow threw himself on top of her shielding her from the blast. The loud explosion rocked the ground on which everyone was laying and showered everything in a blinding light. Thankfully the grenade was a few yards from where the Cobra unit was hunkered down, but it was still a close call. The Boss looked up at The Sorrow with astonishment.
"Are you all right Boss?" He asked looked at her tenderly.
"I will be." She said.
"Boss." The others all asked crawling toward her, trying to avoid the gunfire coming from the compound. "Boss, are you all right?"
"Yes." She said gently shoving The Sorrow off of her. "I am fine, thanks to The Sorrow. How about you all?"
Everyone said that they were doing fine, it appeared that the all managed to keep away from the grenades blast just before it exploded.
"That's a relief to hear." She said. "And what about you Sorrow? You haven't said a word."
The Sorrow was clutching his right shoulder when she looked over at him. Instantly she knew that he had been injured trying to protect her.
"How bad is it Sorrow." She asked.
The Sorrow moved his hand which was drenched in blood and there was a large wound from where decent size piece of shrapnel had caught him in the back and came out through his shoulder. Before she had time to react this time, cannons from behind them began to fire at the V-1 plant. It had to have been from the Special Operation Executive's. Turning her attentions to her watch, the fifteen minute window was indeed over and the SOE was coming to finish off the compound once and for all, and not a second too soon either. With The Sorrow injured so badly, he would need emergency treatment soon.
In the distance she heard the Nazi scream retreat and the gunfire in the direction of the compound came to a very brief stop. She knew the mission to destroy the compound was a success as the SOE fired off another round that crumbled the walls of the Peenemünde compound.
"The Pain," She said compassionately. "Help me get him to a medic."
The Sorrow smiled at her feebly as she gently pulled him up by his left arm.
"I would hate to loose the world's best recon man."
The Sorrow leaned most of his weight onto The Boss, while The Pain helped keep them both in balance.
"I want the rest of you to keep us covered, in case there's anyone following us."
"Yes Boss."
The Cobra unit all went off together. Their part in the mission was now over and it was time for the SOE to pick up where they left off. The sounds of screams and the smell of cannon smoke deafened the senses, but at least the mission would be a success, now all that remained was to get The Sorrow the medical attention he desperately needed.
