Chapter 5 – Trial Run

It was a short hop across the Channel to their landing spot north of Paris, McAllen hooked up first and jumped out into the night followed by Casino, Actor, Alexander and Garrison in his usual last place. It was easy for Garrison to imagine Chief leading the way down to find a safe landing spot looking out for potential danger and safe spots with his superior night vision, he pulled himself out of his reverie, Chief wasn't here.

The team congregated together under a large tree, Casino swore softly under his breath as he brushed himself down, he'd just climbed down out of the tree and was not best pleased, he glared at McAllen. "Well that could've gone better, Geronimo would've seen that 'n made sure we avoided it."

McAllen rolled up his chute. "Sorry Casino, it's pretty dark tonight."

The safe-cracker humphed. Garrison looked over. "Did you see any patrols coming down?"

McAllen stared at the Lieutenant. "What do you mean? I was concentrating on landing in one piece."

Garrison patted the Navajo's arm. "It's alright, I'm just used to Chief looking out for us as we come down, he can see a Kraut patrol ten miles off and let me know, that's why he always goes first."

Casino pitched in. "Yeah, or he'll spy out a nice, comfy barn for us to hole up in as well as any damn trees we can avoid."

McAllen gave everyone an apologetic look. "Sorry guys, I guess I'm a poor substitute for the Boss, I'll try to do better."

Actor picked up his gear. "Nonsense, you're not Chief, no-one is. You'll do fine, won't he Warden?"

Garrison nodded. "Chief trained you, I've got no doubt you'll do him proud." He was going to ask which way to go before he realised he wasn't going to get that answer either, he got out his map, a small flash-light and a compass, he concentrated on his map, a couple of minutes later he pointed to his left. "Let's go."

Casino glanced up at the sky. "Lots o' stars up there."

Garrison stopped short and whirled round. "You got something to say Casino? Chief's not here, get over it and keep your thoughts to yourself." He strode off into the night.

Actor shook his head as he turned to follow. "Stop pushing Garrison's buttons Casino, he's got enough to worry about without you constantly reminding him Chief and Goniff are missing."

The safe-cracker shrugged, picked up his mission bag and trailed along behind.

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The five men walked stealthily into a quiet suburb in northern Paris and found the safe house. Casino and Actor threw their mission bags in a corner, sat down and broke out the cigarettes. McAllen and Alexander looked at Garrison. "What do you want us to do?" asked McAllen.

Garrison sat down and accepted a cigarette from Casino, he had to go and rendezvous with his contacts in the Resistance but he was having a hard time trusting either of the Navajos to watch his back like Chief did. He shook himself, he had to stop thinking about his missing scout until the mission was over, he took a deep breath and made a decision. "McAllen, you're on me. We're going to meet up with Marcel Dupré and his men."

Actor looked up. "You sure Warden? I'll go with you."

Garrison gave a quick shake of his head. "I need someone who can watch my back, Chief trained McAllen, we'll be fine."

GG-GG-GG

McAllen took point and walked ahead in the shadows scanning the roads and buildings, Garrison was uneasy as he walked along the dark street behind him, he felt the Navajo was in the wrong position to protect him but he knew he couldn't criticise his actions without seeming petty. He followed and wished he had Chief just off his shoulder where he could take action if anything went wrong, he was used to how Chief operated, it had always worked and he'd felt safe, now he felt exposed.

McAllen signalled someone was ahead the same time Garrison spied movement, he frowned, if Chief had been here he would have known well before now, alerted him and silently gone to take up position behind the approaching men to cover them. He reminded himself once more that Chief wasn't here, he hesitated before he stepped forward and waited as the four men approached.

A voice reached him from across the road. "Bloodhound."

Garrison relaxed slightly. "Dalmatian."

"Garrison? Welcome to Paris." Dupré turned out to be a stocky, forty year-old, swarthy man of average height, he walked forward and held out a hand.

Garrison knew that the Frenchman wouldn't have been allowed to move until Chief was happy he wasn't a danger. McAllen hadn't moved or said a thing, he sighed, he had to get used to the fact his scout wasn't by his side and might never be again, he stepped forward and shook Dupré's hand. "Is everything ready?"

The Frenchman nodded. "We have the uniforms and explosives, do you know how to set the timers?"

Garrison nodded. "Casino is our explosives expert, he'll see to everything."

Dupré regarded the American officer. "This is a delicate mission, is your man capable of doing this?"

Garrison pictured the brash, loud-mouthed safe-cracker and smiled. "'Delicate' is Casino's middle name!"

The Frenchman frowned as he tried to understand. Garrison relented. "Yes, Casino is more than capable."

"Good. He can start now." Dupré waved his men forward, they were carrying large bags over their shoulders. "Let us get to the safe house."

Garrison was relieved to notice McAllen covered their backs as they returned to the safe house, he suppressed the thought that Chief would have done a lot better.

GG-GG-GG

Casino set out the explosives and timers on a large table, he examined each item with a critical eye before stepping well back and taking out his cigarettes. Dupré flinched as the safe-cracker struck a match, lit his cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke, he gave the Frenchman a sardonic grin. "Don't worry babe, you'll still have all your fingers 'n toes when we've finished." He turned to Garrison and offered the pack. "Everythin' seems ok Warden, what time you want these to go off?"

Garrison took a cigarette. "The train is due to leave the freight yard at 17.00 tomorrow, give it an hour to clear the city so any time after 18.00. Any problems?"

Casino glanced at his watch and shook his head. "No, but I can't start settin' the timers for another couple hours, they're twelve hour timers 'n we can't have 'em goin' off early."

Garrison lit his cigarette and addressed everyone. "Alright, get a couple hours rest before we get started. I'll take first watch."

An hour later Actor looked across the room at the quiet figure sitting by the window, he noticed Garrison had unconsciously taken the same posture that Chief always held while on guard, his foot was resting up on a chair, one arm was laid across his raised knee and his other hand held his gun on his lap. The conman had waited until everyone had settled down and gone to sleep, now he got up from his chair, walked quietly past his slumbering team mates and Dupré's men to stand next to Garrison. "You alright Warden?"

Garrison looked up at the tall Italian. "Yeah, I'm fine Actor."

Actor quietly pulled over a chair, straddled it and put his arms across the back. "How's Trish and your family doing? When did you last speak to them?"

Garrison leaned back, let out a deep breath and stared out the window. "I phoned just before we left. Trish is keeping herself busy at the hospital, Laura's keeping a close eye on her for me. Mary and the General are worried sick but they're putting on a brave face. We're just like every other family in this damn war who are waiting for news of missing loved ones."

Actor nodded and started to fill his pipe. "I'll keep watch with you." He quietly opened his lighter, flicked it into flame and took a couple of pulls, the tobacco crackled and glowed softly in the dark. "Rainey will turn up soon, the entire German army won't be able to keep him away from his fiancée, his brother and his family."

Garrison glanced at the conman as he heard him mention Rainey by name, he appreciated how Actor had kept secret the fact that he'd met and dined with his family at The Savoy, knew Rainey's real name and that he was now not only engaged to his sister but had been officially adopted by his parents and was a Garrison. "Thanks Actor, I'd appreciate the company." The two men sat and silently watched the first, pale fingers of dawn filter across the sky.

GG-GG-GG

Casino finished setting the timers, he primed the explosives and looked at Garrison. "You sure we can get these in place in time?"

Garrison looked at the safe-cracker and nodded. "Dupré's arranged for a truck to arrive here in half an hour, we'll put the charges in the crates in the back, drive to the warehouse, unload them and make sure they're well mixed in with all the other crates of ammunition and explosives stored there. The Krauts will load them onto the train for us and boom, piece of cake."

Casino looked at the Resistance leader and then back at Garrison. "If you say so Warden, but I've been on too many cakewalks in this war to think things'll go as planned."

Garrison stood up, walked across the room to the bags Dupré and his men had brought with them and started to open them, he took out some uniforms. "Let's get into these."

The truck arrived on time, Dupré's men carried in the crates and opened them, they contained more ammunition and explosives. Casino carefully hid a primed charge in each crate amongst the contents and watched as the crates were gently sealed shut again before they were carried out and loaded back on the open-back truck. Everyone climbed on board and held on as the heavily laden vehicle set off towards the freight yard.

McAllen and Alexander watched Garrison and Casino as they sat seemingly totally at ease on the crates observing the morning city traffic pass by. Actor was sitting in the cab with the man who'd driven the truck to the safehouse, Dupré and his men were sitting in the back with the team. Everyone was dressed as a private, except for Actor who was the Corporal in charge of the detail.

Casino looked over at the two Navajos and winked. "Enjoyin' your little trip with us? Bet you wish you'd never volunteered."

Alexander grinned back. "Nowhere else I'd rather be!"

Garrison looked at his men. "Knock it off all of you, we're coming up to the guard post."

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The truck stopped, a guard walked out of the hut he'd been lounging in with his companions and approached the passenger side window. Actor leaned out, spoke to him, handed over some paperwork and waited as he gave it a cursory look. The paperwork was handed back, the guard nodded to the other soldiers, the barrier was raised and the truck waved through. The guard walked next to the vehicle as it passed through, raised his hand and pointed to the building they had to go to, Actor waved thanks and put the papers back in his jacket pocket.

Unloading the truck went smoothly, the crates were dispersed amongst all the others so they would be loaded onto different freight cars on the train. The men had just started walking back to the truck when a Lieutenant rushed up to Actor, pointed to the cargo waiting to be loaded and started issuing orders.

Actor was just about to remonstrate when he remembered he was a lowly corporal, "Zum befehl, Herr Leutnant," he saluted, turned and walked over to the waiting men. "They're running late and he wants us to help load the train."

Casino turned his back to the Lieutenant. "Just great!" He hissed as he glared at Garrison. "Piece o' cake eh Warden?"

Garrison glared back. "Can it Casino. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we're out of here."

"The way things are goin' we'll be ordered to go along 'n guard the damned train 'n get blown up along with it!" muttered the safe-cracker as they walked back to the warehouse, he nodded and smiled at the Lieutenant as they passed by.

The freight yard was a hive of activity as everyone rushed to get the train loaded on time. Actor noticed two SS Majors march into the area, look around, grab hold of the Lieutenant who'd spoken to him earlier and start shouting. He put down the crate he was carrying, wiped his brow and casually walked over to within eavesdropping distance, he smiled as he listened to the one-sided conversation. The Lieutenant saluted and hurried off to speed up the loading of the train, Actor strolled away and looked for the Warden.

Garrison, Casino, McAllen and Alexander gathered in a tight group in a freight car and listened to Actor. "There are two SS Majors who'll be travelling on the train, they were angry that things were running late, they said they had important, top-secret documents that had to be delivered to Berlin for Hitler's personal attention."

Garrison rubbed his chin as he took in this latest turn of events, his brain worked quickly as he thought of a plan to relieve the officers of their burden. "We'll have to leave it until the last minute as the train pulls out, we can't risk anyone raising the alarm."

McAllen attracted Garrison's attention. "Alexander and I can take care of that, it'll be just like on Mersea Island when we were hunting Hardin and raided that cottage, they won't know what hit them." He looked earnestly at Garrison and extended his right arm to reveal the leather sheath holding his blade. "Everyone's got their expertise and this is what we do best, we won't let you or the Boss down."

Garrison put a hand on the young Navajo's arm. "I know you won't. Alright, I know how good you two are, get into position and we'll cover for you."

Alexander grinned. "See you later guys." The two men slipped out of the freight car and disappeared. Casino, Actor and Garrison hopped down to the ground and set back to work loading the crates on the train.

Twenty minutes later the last of the supplies had been stored and the freight car doors locked and secured. The hundred or so people who had been working frantically to get the train away on time breathed a sigh of relief as the engine whistled and pulled away from the freight yard.

Garrison glanced at his watch. "Right on time, glad we could help the Krauts maintain their reputation for punctuality!"

Casino grinned. "Yeah, they should blow up right on time too!"

"German efficiency at its best," added Actor as he wiped the sweat off his brow.

The three men found a stack of wooden sleepers, climbed on them and sat watching the train as it passed by. Garrison perched on the topmost sleeper and enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine as the passenger carriages and then freight car after freight car full of ordnance and explosives rattled past to meet their appointment with destiny. As the last one went by he looked at the other side of the track to see McAllen and Alexander sitting on a box as they waved to the guard in the van at the rear. They got up, picked up the box between them and carried it across the tracks to the men waiting for them.

Not a word was spoken as the five men walked across the freight yard to the truck, Actor climbed in and sat in the passenger seat while the others hoisted the box in the back and climbed up after it, Dupré and his men walked over and took their places ready to leave. The truck made its way to to the guard post and slowed down, Actor reached into his jacket for the papers.

Suddenly a shout rang out, the German Lieutenant ran over to the truck and approached the passenger side, he talked to Actor for a minute then stepped back and waved for the truck to be let through. The barrier swung up and the truck rumbled through, Garrison waited a couple of minutes before he leaned over the side to talk to Actor. "What did the Lieutenant want?"

Actor peered up out of the window and grinned. "He wanted to thank us for our hard work in helping to get the train out on time."

Garrison laughed out loud as he swung back and rested against the cab. "I wonder if he'll be as grateful in forty-five minutes time when he hears that big explosion." He pulled the box towards him and opened the top, two large metal briefcases nestled inside. "Well done you two."

McAllen shuffled over to sit next to Garrison. "They didn't realise what was happening until it was too late. There's no corridor in that carriage, just individual compartments so no-one will walk past and find them."

Casino clapped the two men on the shoulder. "Geronimo'll be proud o' you."

Alexander smiled. "Thanks Casino, that means a lot."

The truck pulled up outside the safe house and everyone walked in, they had just enough time to change out of their uniforms into their civilian clothes before a long, low rumble started to get louder and louder. They ran upstairs, opened the door and stepped out onto a flat roof, they looked to the east to see a huge, black cloud rising up into the sky, more explosions rattled the windows as distant flashes could be seen.

Casino grinned and looked at his watch. "Yeah, just like we said Warden, those Krauts are really punctual, they exploded right on time!"

Dupré put his hands on his hips and surveyed the distant evidence of their handiwork with a satisfied expression. "My men are already on their way to make sure everything went to plan."

Casino waved an expansive hand. "All they're gonna find is a big hole in the ground baby."

Dupré nodded. "I agree." He turned to Garrison. "I'll take you to Évreux, we have a landing field near there. I'll arrange for a plane to pick you up at first light and take you back to England."

"Thank you." Garrison took one last look at the burgeoning cloud of smoke and turned to head back inside.

Dupré watched the officer disappear through the door. "I thought he would be more pleased at our success."

Actor walked over and stood next to the stocky Frenchman. "He is pleased but he has other worries, we are missing two of our men and he is concerned for their safety."

Dupré's expression changed to one of understanding. "Command is a terrible thing, you are responsible for men's lives and you have to order them to what you fear could be their death. I do not envy him, it is an impossibly heavy burden to bear."

Casino frowned as Dupré's words sank in, finally he understood. He looked at Actor. "It is, ain't it? The Warden's been hurtin' since Goniff 'n Geronimo disappeared 'n I haven't made things easier for him have I?"

Actor nodded. "Casino, you have no idea." He walked away before the safe-cracker could ask any more questions.

GG-GG-GG

The small, converted bomber landed and roared down the field in the early dawn light, it skidded to a halt and swung round to face back into the wind. The side hatch opened and a crewman beckoned to the five men to hurry up and get onboard, they rushed forward and piled in, the hatch swung shut and the plane roared back off the way it had come and took off, it banked north-west and headed towards England and safety.

Casino grinned at the two Navajos. "Well you survived your first outin' with us!"

Actor nodded. "And you got to experience one of the Warden's 'added extras', he likes to throw them in from time to time just to keep us on our toes." He looked over at the figure leaning against the fuselage, now that everything was over Garrison had withdrawn into himself, he'd drawn his knees up and buried his head in his arms.

Casino followed the conman's gaze, he frowned. "Hey Warden, wake up babe, we ain't home yet! You feeling ok?"

Garrison raised his head and gave his men a tired smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." He looked at McAllen and Alexander. "You two did a great job, Chief'll be proud of you. I'll be happy to have you go out with us again any time."

The safe-cracker frowned at the disconsolate tone of the Warden's voice. "Maybe there'll be some good news about Goniff 'n Geronimo when we get back, I bet they'll be waitin' for us when we land."

Garrison leaned back against the fuselage, he realised Casino wouldn't let him wallow in self-pity and he was secretly thankful for the man's pig-headed obstinacy, he roused himself and pointed towards the briefcases. "Can you open those Casino?"

The safe-cracker brightened up, reached into his mouth and took out the length of spring steel he kept wrapped around his back teeth. "Does Geronimo kick your butt on the runnin' track? Course I can. Just give me a couple seconds 'n whatever those babies hold is all yours."

A minute later Garrison was leafing through top-secret documents and maps, he looked up at his men, the old gleam was back in his eye. "Do you realise what we have here? The brass are not only going to have a field day with this, they'll have the whole farm."

Actor leaned forward. "What is it Warden?"

Garrison grinned. "Only the Kraut invasion plans for England, it must have taken them ages to get this together and we've got everything. We can strengthen defences and be ready for them." He wrote down a quick message and gave it to the crewman. "Can you radio this ahead? It's important." He turned back to the documents, paused and ran a finger over a map. "They're planning on invading Colchester by sea!"

Casino looked up in disbelief. "What? They're plannin' on takin' over The Red Dragon? Over my dead body!"

Alexander nodded in agreement. "That pub's the Navajo's second favourite watering hole after The Doves, no way they get within a hundred yards of either!"

Garrison laughed out loud at the idea of the might of the German army pitted against six, or was it seven now, teams of Navajos trained by Chief defending their pub – he had no doubt as to the outcome and felt sorry for the Germans.