AN: here's the new chapter as promised! And a little bit of Dad Troy hee hee. For those who don't know Vera Lynn was a very well known singer in WWII England and was the one who originally sang "We'll Meet Again". Because she was so popular among the troops and was always one willing to boost morale she was known as "everyone's Sweetheart". She also sang Lili Marlene, which of course was the unofficial anthem of the troops in North Africa, Rommel famously didn't ban it like a lot of his compatriots so the Afrika Korps was famous for playing Lale Anderson's version full blast so even the allies could hear it. If you watch the opening scene of the German convoy in the Rat Patrol pilot you actually hear Lili Marlene playing from one of the trucks!
"Sarge? When do ya think Hitch is gonna be back? Or when we're gonna hear back from back from his convoy?" Tully asked, even though he already knew the answer to both questions. "He should be back by tomorrow evening and I'm certain either Hitch or someone in his convoy would send word if they needed help. What got you so wound up, Tull?" Troy replied, reaching over to rest a hand on the young Appalachian's broad shoulder. Troy didn't have to be a wise man to know they were all worried for their missing Rat.
"I donna ken, Sarge. All I know is I've got a rotten feeling in my belly. Something ain't right." Tully sighed, anxiety swirling in his big brown eyes. Troy nodded in agreement. "I'm with ya, kid. We haven't heard a peep from Hitch's convoy since that wadi. I only hope everything's alright."
Troy quietly nodded, "you and me both, kid." he replied. They were all worried for their missing youngest, Troy wouldn't deny that. Moffitt had even gone to question Boggs in his and Tully's stead. Troy himself was a mass of nerves and was close to exploding. He was too on edge to face his commanding officer. Tully was the same ball of frayed nerves. Albeit unlike the Sarge, he drew into himself and became even more quiet than usual.
With his fellow Rats out of commission, Moffitt had taken it upon himself to seek out information. Which was why Troy and Tully were sitting at the mess table the Patrol had commandeered as their own.
Tully eventually grew too wound up to sit still. He went from tapping his calloused fingers on the table to pacing like a caged wild cat around the mess tent. After watching the young man pace for what felt like an eternity, Troy got up and rested a hand on the boy's shoulder. "C'mon kid, let's get back to our tents. I'm certain a favorite record and a cup of tea would do us some good." Troy suggested.
Tully mutely nodded, not rejecting Troy's silent comfort of an arm around his shoulders. He leaned into the Michiganer's embrace, only breaking contact when Troy prompted him to sit down and he went to get Moffitt's kettle. Troy had also retrieved the Patrol's mobile record player and a single record.
"I hope you enjoy the record I picked out, kid." Troy said, ruffling Tully's auburn hair. The boy gave him a small smile and waved him off. "I'm certain I will, Sarge. Ye usually have the best picks. Jes' don't tell Hitch that." Tully said with a grin that quickly turned into a flinch. Troy started the record and hurried over to wrap an arm around Tully's slumped shoulders.
"I put Vera Lynn on for ya." Troy said, patting Tully on the back before getting up and putting the kettle on to boil. He had indeed put one of Moffitt's many Vera Lynn records on. Specifically, this time was their Sweetheart's rendition of 'Lili Marlene'.
Troy stood up and poured two mugs of tea and eventually returned to his spot at Tully's side. He handed one over, getting a silent nod in thanks. After taking a sip of his own tea he said "drink it before it gets cold, bud." Tully obliged, recognizing the mellow sweetness of chamomile. Troy must've taken Moffitt's Romanichal apothecary wisdom to heart. And honestly? He was thankful for it. The tea really did calm his nerves and help him think clearly.
"Feel better, Tull?" Troy asked, putting down his own empty mug. The young Appalachian nodded, smiling softly. "I do, thank ye Sarge." Tully said. Sam answered with his own smile and again gently ruffled Tully's hair.
Troy and Tully didn't have to sit in the dark about Hitch for long. Moffitt had returned from seeking out information and anounced "Gentlemen, I think I know where our missing Rat is." The other two Rats turned around at the sound of Moffitt aproaching. Tully stood up and met his gunner halfway with Troy not far behind. "Where is Hitch, Moffitt?" Tully demanded, beating Troy to the question.
"Boggs said he heard from the convoy about three hours ago, right around when they hit the halfway point between us and their destination. Hitch was supposed to call in about an hour or two ago, which was about when he was supposed to arrive at the depot. But neither Boggs nor anyone else has heard a word." Moffitt replied. Tully flinched and looked over at Troy, who was unable to hide the twitch in his jaw. "Sir?" the young boy said softly, worry shining in his dark eyes.
Troy's eyes hardened, his nostrils flaring in agitation. "Sergeant Moffitt." He said, taking Tully by surprise that he'd pull rank on his fellow officer. "Tell me you know where Mark is. Because so help me we are going out to get him no matter what Boggs says." Moffitt rested a hand on his friend's shoulder, slight relief coming to his dark eyes. "We won't have to worry about that, Troy. Boggs is letting us go out and get him. We're supposed to meet up with Major Burrows out at the nearby wadi."