Disclaimer: The Rat Patrol is not my property. They come out to play sometimes, then I send them home.

Author's note: The association of Nazism with occultism occurs in a wide range of theories, speculation and research into the origins of Nazism and into Nazism's possible relationship with various occult traditions. Such ideas have flourished as a part of popular culture since at least the early 1940s.

Creative license will go to work now.

Ouija Board

By Suzie2b

There was an Italian held area of Libya known as the Rabyanah Sand Sea. It was a region within the southeastern sector that covered approximately 25,000 miles – essentially a desert within a desert. The Italians controlled a healthy piece of it, since the Germans, who felt there was no strategic merit to it, didn't seem to want much to do with it.

The Allies knew about the Italian occupation of the Rabyanah Sand Sea and the stronghold they'd built. However, lately spotters had reported more activity than normal in the area, with a large contingent of Germans arriving and setting up camps around the area. Also, the spotters watched a domed building being erected just outside of the stronghold.

Captain Boggs sent his best team out to do recon.

##################

The Rat Patrol was unfamiliar with the Rabyanah Sand Sea. There had never been a reason to go there … until now. Using the coordinates Captain Boggs had given them, they were easily able to locate the Italian stronghold.

From a sand dune a few miles away Troy and Moffitt lay on their bellies with binoculars to survey the area. The stronghold was a good sized base and at the moment was surrounded by camps of at least enough German soldiers to make up a regiment.

Troy asked quietly, "What do you make of that domed building next to the base?"

Moffitt replied, "I don't know. At first I thought it might be a church, but why would they build one like that outside of their protective stronghold? And there aren't any windows, or a door that I can see."

"Well, the Germans are here for a reason, that's for sure. I guess we'll just have to go in to find out what's going on."

The sergeants went down to the jeeps where Hitch and Tully were waiting. Hitch asked, "What are they doing, sarge?"

Troy said, "No idea. There are probably 2,000 or more Germans camped around the base."

Tully asked, "Did you see that other building the captain mentioned?"

Moffitt replied, "It's there, but the question is, what is it? There are no windows or a door to be seen."

Hitch and Tully looked at each other and Troy said, "Moffitt, you and Tully go around and have a look at the back side of the base. Maybe there's a door into that domed building on the other side."

As Moffitt and Tully left, Troy handed the binoculars to Hitch. "Go up and keep an eye on things."

##################

Tully carefully drove them around to a point where they could see the back of the stronghold without being seen. They went to the top of a dune with binoculars and looked for anything of interest. Still there was no door to be found on the domed building.

Tully asked, "Why would they build it without a door?"

Moffitt said, "There must be a way in. Perhaps there's a tunnel."

Tully spotted a staff car coming. "Hey, who's that?"

Moffitt shifted his sights to the German staff car Tully saw. One of the pennants flying on the front indicated the Afrika Korps and the other had the lightning bolt insignia of the SS. "It's an SS officer." The car's top was down and Moffitt could see the uniform worn by the passenger. "He's a SS-Oberabschnitt Führer." Moffitt glanced at Tully and could tell he was trying to translate what he'd said. "It means he's an SS Senior District Leader."

Tully nodded and asked, "What would he be doing out here?"

"Could be any number of things. But I'd be willing to guess that he was sent be Heinrich Himmler himself."

"Why would you think that?"

Moffitt said, "Himmler is the Reich Leader for the SS. He probably has no desire to come out to North Africa himself, so he's sent one of his underlings. And if Himmler as sent this man here, it means that Hitler himself is somehow involved."

Tully sighed and stated, "This assignment just keeps getting more interesting, doesn't it."

"We'd better get back now."

##################

Back with Troy and Hitch, Moffitt explained what they'd seen.

Troy said, "We saw the car. I was wondering who it was. Now I'm wondering why. You said you still didn't find a door into that building?"

Moffitt nodded. "I'm guessing there must be a tunnel."

Hitch said, "Ever since that car arrived more guards have gone on duty … especially on the walls."

Tully asked, "How're we gonna get inside? There's no back gate."

Troy said, "I guess we have to go in through the main gate."

Moffitt questioned, "With double the Italian guards and half of the German army camped out there?"

"What choice do we have?"

Hitch said, "If we could get our hands on some uniforms it would be easier to get inside."

Troy thought for a few moments, then said with a smile, "That's an idea. We should be able to grab four uniforms from the Germans."

Tully said, "There aren't too many places to hide bodies, sarge."

"Hopefully won't have to worry about it."

##################

It was just after dark. The four Allies slipped past the German guards on the camp's perimeter. A good many of the men were off having their evening meal so it wasn't difficult to locate an empty tent. They went in with flashlights and noticed there were three sets of bunkbeds. That was convenient – they wouldn't have to go to another tent. They rifled through the soldiers belongings until they found the shirts and caps they were looking for. Then they snuck out and headed back to the jeeps.

Once they were back in their camp, Troy said, "Okay, now we wait until the Germans are asleep."

Moffitt said, "It's an awful big camp to get through unnoticed, Troy. Even with the change of clothes we might be recognized as intruders."

"I'm counting on anyone still awake when we go in will be passing around rations of alcohol."

Hitch looked at Troy quizzically. "Alcohol?"

Moffitt smiled. "It's not unusual for the Italians to pass a few bottles around even when they're on duty. And in this case they'll make sure the Germans have a share to keep them quiet about it."

When midnight rolled around, Tully left his post on watch and joined the others, who had already changed into their German garb. He took his jacket off and started to unbutton his shirt to change when Troy asked, "How's it look out there?"

Tully said, "Quiet. There's a few fires still burning, but other than the guards I didn't see anyone."

"Good. As soon as you're changed, we'll get going."

Tully quickly stripped off his shirt and put on the one taken from the Germans. He exchanged his helmet for a German cap and said, "Okay, sarge."

Hitch handed Tully a machine gun and they followed the sergeants out towards to German camp.

They were able to get passed the guards and into camp without a problem. There were a few drunken soldiers sitting around fires, but no one paid any attention to the disguised Allies.

At the gate, they found the two Italian guards asleep on duty. As Troy opened the gate enough for them to get through, Tully picked up a half empty bottle and took a whiff of its contents. He recoiled at the smell and set the bottle down before following the others onto the base, closing the gate behind him.

One of the guards on the inside awakened at the soft click of the gate and looked around. Seeing nothing out of the usual he picked up a bottle and gulped down a portion of the dark liquid.

The Allies had ducked down when the guard jerked awake. They watched him take several large swallows from the bottle before settling back in his chair again.

Hitch whispered, "I'm surprised he hasn't killed himself drinking like that."

Tully nodded. "That's some kinda nasty homemade hooch they're drinkin'."

Troy whispered, "Can it! Let's check out headquarters."

Moffitt put a hand on Troy's arm. "Wait. Isn't that the wall where the other building is?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Seems like an odd place to put a basement entrance, don't you think?"

Troy spotted the raised wooden doorway that Moffitt saw. "You did mention something about a possible tunnel. Let's see where it goes."

There was no lock on the double doors. Hitch and Tully pulled them open and followed Troy and Moffitt inside. With the doors closed, they met the sergeants at the bottom of a wooden staircase. Moffitt shined his flashlight around until he found a switch. He turned it and dull yellow lights on the ceiling came on. They were looking down a long corridor that was built like a wooden box to support the sand outside.

Hitch whispered, "It looks like a coffin."

Troy led the way as they walked through the eerie silence of the underground corridor. When they came to the end of the tunnel, they were in front of another door. Troy cracked it open and listened, but there was no sound. He pushed it further and cautiously looked around. It was dark except for lanterns flickering in recesses of the curved walls.

Troy said, "There's no windows. Find a light switch."

With his flashlight Tully checked the wall next to the door. He reached over and turned the switch he found there. Spotlights came on in different areas of the large domed room. In the center a light illuminated a polished stone altar.

Moffitt frowned as he wondered at the significance of it. Then his eyes widened as he counted the lanterns around the room. He walked to the altar as he quietly said, "Thirteen."

Troy looked at his friend. "What?"

"There are thirteen lanterns, a stone alter…" Moffitt looked up at the domed ceiling. "And that."

Troy, Hitch, and Tully looked up and saw a huge flag of a swastika lit by four spotlights.

Tully said, "No wonder this place feels 'wrong'."

Troy nodded. "I've heard that the Germans believe in the occult."

Hitch went to the altar. "Look at this."

The others joined him and Moffitt said, "An Ouija board."

It was made of heavy wood and had a swastika burnt into each corner. There were two curved lines of letters – the German alphabet. Beneath that were the numbers 1 thru 0. On the left side was the German word ja for yes and on the right was nein for no. At the bottom were the words Auf Wiedersehen.

Hitch asked, "What's that mean?"

Tully replied, "Good bye."

"Do you really think they talk to spirits?"

Moffitt nodded. "If Hitler says it's so, then to them it's so. That explains why the SS is here. Since this is a new building, he's probably here to inspect it before using it."

Troy questioned, "Do you think they're planning some kind of occult gathering?"

"That's what it looks like."

Hitch put his fingers on the planchette. It suddenly moved under his fingertips and he jumped back like he'd been bit.

Tully asked, "What's wrong?"

Hitch stared at the wooden heart shaped instrument. "It moved."

Tully stepped up beside his friend. "You must've imagined it."

"You touch it then."

Now Troy and Moffitt joined the privates as Tully put his fingers on the planchette. It began to vibrate slightly, then moved across the board to highlight certain letters.

When it stopped, Tully moved his hand away.

Hitch asked, "What did it spell?"

Moffitt looked confused as he said, "It spelled 'hide'."

Troy was about to say something when there was a sound at the door. The four Allies quickly hid in a dark alcove across the room.

When the door opened, two men walked in. One was the base commander, the other was the SS Senior District Leader.

The two of them spoke in German as the Italian general showed the German the room, obviously explaining different aspects. The District Leader nodded and made comments. He was especially interested in the Ouija board, though he was careful not to touch it. They were in there for nearly thirty minutes before they left. The general stopped at the door and looked around the room suspiciously, as if he felt a presence other than the two of them, before he turned out the lights and closed the door.

The Allies waited to be sure no one else was coming in before they turned on their flashlights and stepped out of the alcove. Troy opened the door just as the light in the corridor went out. He signaled his men to follow and they went into the corridor.

When they got to the other end, Hitch went up to check the door. He pushed, but it didn't move. He tried again, pushing harder, and heard what sounded like a chain clanking against the wood. "Sarge, they locked us in."

Tully said, "They couldn't have known we were here."

Moffitt said, "Chances are the door was left unlocked because of their planned midnight visit."

"What do we do now?"

Troy said, "Back to the room."

They hurried back and went inside.

Hitch turned the lights on as Troy said, "There has to be another way out of here."

Moffitt looked around. "Do you see a door? I surely don't."

"Start searching."

They each started looking into every nook and cranny as they moved furniture around, but there didn't seem to be a second way out.

Hitch and Tully were standing near the altar when they heard a soft scratching sound. They both turned to see the planchette on the Ouija board move slightly.

They looked at each other and Hitch quietly said, "It spoke to you last time. Ask if there's another way out."

Tully looked down at the board and swallowed nervously. Then he put his fingers on the planchette and felt the same vibration as before. "Gibt es einen anderen Ausweg?"

It moved to each letter and spelled A-L-K-O-V-E-N.

Tully said, "Alcove." Then he asked if it was the same one they'd hidden in. "Sie meinen, wo wir uns vorher versteckt haben?" His fingers were taken to the left side of the board and highlighted the word ja. Tully walked to the alcove with Hitch following. "It said there's a way out in here."

Troy and Moffitt joined their men and Troy asked, "Find something?"

Tully said, "Not sure." He took out his flashlight and shined the beam around the dark recessed area. He knocked on the back – it sounded hollow. Tully started searching for a lever or latch. Eventually, his fingers hit something that made a click and he slid a panel to one side at the back of the alcove opening.

"How'd you figure that out?"

Tully shrugged. "The board told me."

Troy started to say something, but Hitch cut in with, "I saw it happen, sarge."

Moffitt shined his light into the opening and said, "Could be an air shaft."

Troy nodded. "Okay, wait here while I see where this goes."

While Troy disappeared into the conduit, Tully went back to the Ouija board. He looked at it and whispered, "Danke." The heart shaped planchette moved slightly and Tully put his fingers on it. It spelled out B-R-E-N-N-E-N.

Tully asked if it meant it wanted the dome burned. "Sie wollen, dass wir die Kuppel verbrennen?" The planchette took him to "nein". Tully asked what it meant.

The letters spelled out "Verbrennen Sie mich."

Troy returned and said, "There's a way out. Let's go."

Tully turned and said, "Sarge?"

"Yeah, Tully?"

"The board wants us to burn it."

Troy questioned, "The 'board' wants to be burned?"

Tully nodded. "That's what it told me."

Moffitt asked, "Did it say why?"

"No."

Hitch said, "If we do it, the Germans and Italians will know someone was here."

Tully turned back to the board and put his fingers on the planchette to ask it why it wanted to be burned.

After getting the answer, Tully started gathering whatever he could find that would burn. He quickly made a pile on the altar and set the board on it. He was about to strike a match when the he heard scratching. Tully put his fingers on the planchette and it took him to the bottom of the board where the words Auf Wiedersehen were.

Tully whispered, "Good bye." Then he lit the match and set the material under the board on fire.

He watched as the flames began to lick at the wooden Ouija board, slowly turning it black.

Troy said, "We need to get moving, Tully."

The private nodded and felt a sense of sadness as he walked away from the altar. At the door, he turned one last time as a piece of burning paper floated up into the dome where the swastika flag was. As Moffitt took Tully by the arm to urge his friend into the conduit, the flag burst into flames. Moffitt slid the panel back into place and followed the others on hands and knees.

Outside in the cool, early morning air, the Allies discovered they were back within the stronghold's walls. They walked quickly towards the gates as both Italian and German soldiers ran across the grounds to the tunnel's doors while shouting for water.

Black smoke was coming out through the cracks between the wooden slats as one of the men fumbled with some keys to unlock the padlock on the door. When they were pulled open, the smoke billowed out and flames erupted inside as air met the oxygen deprived wood lined corridor.

The enemy didn't notice the four men walking away as everyone else was moving towards the fire. Once out beyond the perimeter of the camp, the Rat Patrol made a mad dash back to where the jeeps were.

#################

As the sun appeared on the horizon, the four Allies were on the sand dune. They could see the dark smoke still rising from inside the stronghold with smaller tendrils rising from the cracks in the dome caused by the fire.

Tully sat down on the sand and crossed his legs. "It shouldn't have gotten that hot."

Troy said, "When they opened that door, oxygen fed the fire."

"But how did the fire move so fast? The corridor was burning before we got out through that tunnel."

Moffitt wondered out loud, "Fast enough to prevent it being extinguished. Hot enough to crack the stone roof. I'd say it was more than just a fire."

Hitch asked, "What's that mean?"

Tully said, "It means the spirit in the board was involved."

Troy questioned, "You don't really believe that, do you?"

"You saw it, sarge. I didn't move that pointer around."

"Then who did?"

Tully said, "I didn't ask for a name."

Hitch got down on his knees next to Tully and asked, "Did you ask the board why it wanted to be burned?" His friend nodded. "What did it tell you?"

"It said it didn't want to be used for evil. I'm thinkin' by 'evil' it meant the Germans."

"You think it caused the fire?"

Tully shook his head. "No, I caused the fire when I lit that match. I think it took control of it from there."

Moffitt nodded. "The Ouija board was the catalyst. It needed you to start the fire so it could destroy the building."

As the sun climbed higher, they watched the same staff car drive away from the base that arrived the day before.

Troy said, "I wouldn't want to be that guy when he reports what happened here."

Moffitt smiled slightly. "I'm sure that Reich Leader Himmler will be very interested in what happened."

"Why?"

"If we hadn't been there or if Tully hadn't touched the Ouija board nothing would've happened. We would have found the way out eventually on our own. They have no idea we were there last night. They'll come to their own conclusions as to what happened."

Hitch suddenly realized, "If they're into the occult, they'll believe the spirit world had something to do with it."

Moffitt said, "Which isn't a lie. I'd like to be a fly on the wall when Himmler tells Hitler."

"We didn't find out what the Germans are doing here though, sarge."

Troy said, "No, not really. But I'd be willing to bet they were here for whatever that domed building was built for. And I doubt it's going to happen now."

Tully asked, "Are we gonna stay here to see if the Germans head out?"

"Nope. That's why we have spotters. Besides, I don't want to be in the area when they start to make their exit." Troy reached down and lightly slapped Tully's shoulder. The private gave him his hand, and Troy pulled him to his feet. "And now's as good a time as any to get out of here."

As they walked down to the jeeps, Moffitt looked at his friend and asked, "Are you all right, Tully?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just what happened last night was a … experience. I never really gave Ouija boards and all that much thought."

"You mean you didn't believe in mysticism before this happened?"

Tully said, "I don't know. I can't say I didn't believe in it, because I never thought about it one way or the other."

Troy said, "And now?"

"I can't disbelieve what happened in that room. I just can't figure out why it picked me."

Moffitt said, "You're open-minded and weren't afraid."

Tully asked, "You really think it's that easy to explain?"

Moffitt smiled. "Yes, I do."

Hitch asked, "How are you going to explain what happened in your report, sarge?"

Troy smiled. "I'm thinking I won't have to."

Moffitt started, "But, Troy…"

"It didn't happen to me. It happened to Tully. I'll just stick to the facts and leave the spirit stuff out." Troy turned to look at his men as they reached the jeeps and said, "Unless one of you…"

There was a resounding "No!" from the other three men.