Female Trouble

By: AliasCWN

Chapter 5

"Thank you for bringing Sergeant Crystal."

Troy and Moffitt stood in front of the base commander after delivering the other sergeant.

"Are you able to stick around for a day or two? Sergeant Crystal suggested that you may have a part to play in his assignment."

Troy looked at Moffitt before answering.

"I told my friends that we might be delayed a few days," the British sergeant answered.

"Then they won't mind?" Troy asked.

"No, they seemed pleased to have the company. I don't think we need to hurry back on their account."

"Does that mean you'll stay?" The base commander asked.

"It sounds like it," Troy answered. "But we do have to get back to pick up the nurse we left with them. Her presence in their home puts them in danger too."

The base commander nodded. "Sergeant Crystal told me about her. Tough on a young girl like that."

"She's holding up well Sir," Troy answered. "She was pretty timid at first but she has recovered from her shock and is soldiering on."

"I was against female nurses in the Army at first, especially in the field of war. But I have to admit, they save lives. Just seeing one of them seems to give the troops a lift, especially the wounded."

"This one will do that Sir," Troy nodded. "She's a pretty little thing, and after all of this she'll have something in common with the soldiers she cares for. It'll break the ice and let them open up to her."

"They are brave women."

"And dedicated," Moffitt added. "I've met more than a few of them and they are all more concerned about their patients than their own safety. They truly are angels of mercy."

"Amen to that," the commander agreed. "I hate to keep the lady waiting, but we really could use the help."

"We're at your service Sir, just tell us what you need from us."

"Stand down for now. I'll send for you when we have something for you. I told my clerk to assign you quarters. The four of you will have to share a tent, we're short of extra space. Besides, this way you'll all be together when I need you."

"We'll be ready Sir."

"Whatever this mission is, it must be important," Moffitt suggested as he and Troy walked toward their quarters.

"Important enough to divert an entire plane," Troy agreed.

"The lads will be glad to be able to sleep in a bed tonight. They've been doing a lot of driving lately."

"I haven't been driving but a bed sounds good to me too," Troy answered.

"You and me both. I think a bed sounds rather good right about now myself."

A knock on the door woke them before dawn. Troy rose and opened the door. A private stood in the hallway, his face flushed from running. "The captain wants to see you right away."

"Just me?" Troy asked.

"All of you," the messenger replied. "He said to be ready to travel."

"We'll be right there," Troy promised. "We'll get dressed and grab our gear."

The messenger nodded and left, his footsteps sounding loud in the otherwise empty hall.

Moffitt sat up and listened as the footsteps receded. "It sounds like someone is in a hurry."

"He said the captain specified right away," Troy grunted. "Rise and shine everybody, time to go to work."

"Oh," Hitch groaned. "Now?"

"Now," Troy nodded.

"If you get too much beauty sleep, you'll have to fight the girls off," Tully teased the blond as he threw a pillow at the other private.

Hitch caught the pillow as it bounced off of his head. "I already do," he grinned. "Maybe you ought to get some more sleep."

"Nope," Tully laughed, "I'd rather do the chasing. I'll leave the running up to guys like you."

"Like me?" Hitch grunted as he rolled out of bed. "What's that mean?"

"Ask later," Troy ordered. "Right now we need to get dressed and meet the captain."

Hitch stuck his tongue out at Tully and tossed the pillow back. Minutes later the four of them were standing in front of the base commander.

"Thanks for coming so quickly Sergeant. Sergeant Crystal's mission is in motion and things are moving fast. I need you to take him back to the German base where you found him."

"Dietrich's base?"

"That's the one.," the captain nodded. "Since you were there once, I assume you can find your way around. You've already proven that you can penetrate its defenses."

"We've been on that base more than once," Troy confirmed.

"And back off again without outside help from what I understand," the captain responded.

"Yes sir."

"So I'm assuming that you can get Sergeant Crystal onto the base undetected and then back off again?"

Troy bit his lip and cocked his head. "We'll do our best but there are no guarantees. We'll have the advantage of surprise. Dietrich won't be expecting us to return so soon."

"Whatever it takes," the captain grunted. "You also have to locate a German soldier on the base and bring him back here."

"Any soldier?"

"No, we have a specific one in mind. Sergeant Crystal can identify him, he knows him by sight."

"Are you sure he's there?"

"Positive Sergeant. It has been confirmed."

"How Captain?"

"Need to know Sergeant."

"Fair enough Captain, but we will be told if the need arises?"

"If the need arises," the captain confirmed.

"All right Captain," Troy agreed. "When do you want us to leave?"

"Now Sergeant. Sergeant Crystal wants to go back onto the base tonight. That should put you back here by tomorrow evening." The captain rose and walked the for men to the door of his office. "Sergeant Crystal is waiting outside for you. I took the liberty of having the mess hall pack a breakfast for you to eat on the way. I didn't think you'd take time to eat before answering my summons."

Troy flashed a smile. "That was thoughtful of you sir, thank you."

"I've often heard the old adage that an army travels on its stomach, and I agree, so it seemed like the thing to do. If it works for a large army, I'm sure it applies to a small one too. I gave orders to see to it that you were well fed. Good luck men, I expect to see you back here tomorrow."

"Thanks again Captain." The four men were ushered out the door and they immediately headed for the motor pool to pick up the jeeps.

"There you are Troy." Sergeant Crystal jumped to his feet as the four of them left the building. "Are we a go?"

"We're on our way to the jeeps now."

Crystal fell into step with the four of them. "How long will it take to get the jeeps ready to go?"

"They're ready," Troy answered.

"Wow, you're good. How did you know I was going to need a ride this morning?"

"We didn't," Troy answered. "We always make sure the jeeps are ready to go. That's the first thing we do when we come in."

"Boy scouts."

"What?"

"Prepared for anything," Crystal explained.

"Survival," Troy answered.

"Yeah, I guess I can see that too. So what now?"

"Now," Troy answered as he spotted a man from the mess hall standing by the jeeps, "we eat while we drive. I hope its not too messy. Hitch and Tully need at least one hand on the wheel at all times."

"One hand!" Crystal exclaimed. "I've ridden with them. I want both of their hands on the wheel."

Troy grinned. "All right, maybe we can eat in shifts. Moffitt and I can spell them while they eat."

"Now you've gone and done it," Tully groaned. "You've never ridden with Doc, have you?"

"Let's roll," Troy laughed.