Author's note: lighter than the last chapter...hope the character is recognisable. I think the agent is an OC, could not recall the name being used, but may easily have missed it .

A Hero Goes Alone

Hammelburg; he's reached the outskirts;

Contact should be close at hand.

Hopes that he recalls the greeting;

Hopes that all will go as planned.

~0~

Unexpected solo mission;

All his friends are occupied.

Unannounced Gestapo visit;

Rest of team are stuck inside.

~0~

Look-out, thief, communicator;

He must master all these roles;

Find the target, set each charge,

Return, avoiding night patrols.

~0~

Optimistic soul by nature,

Rarely daunted, does his best.

Quite determined not to let

The Colonel down and fail this test.

~0~

Civilian clothes, respectful manner;

Sidles into Hofbrau bar.

Surreptitious observation;

Checks who fellow patrons are.

~0~

Older couple in a corner,

Group of soldiers, worse for wear,

Laughing girls, in cheerful huddle,

Workmen with a joke to share.

~0~

Catches eye of harried waitress,

Speaks politely, orders beer;

Also comments on the weather;

"Stars are bright this time of year."

~0~

Waitress smiles, and brings his order,

Adds another phrase as well.

"The stars were polished by the elves."

He grins, she nods, "I'm Tinkerbell."

~0~

Half an hour, her shift has ended;

Rendezvous in old school yard;

Tinkerbell is wrapped up warmly,

Frost is glinting, cold and hard.

~0~

Winding path through fields and woodland;

Secret research base on farm.

Tasked with lab's complete destruction,

Thus reducing Allied harm.

~0~

Guards on duty, dressed as farm hands,

Need distraction, good excuse

For starting blaze in nearby stables;

Setting all the livestock loose.

~0~

He scuttles to the farm in shadows;

Acts while flaming chaos reigns.

He scales the rough hewn wall, unnoticed;

Just one single guard remains.

~0~

Adrenalin has heightened senses,

Increased heart rate, sharpened wits.

He's swift and sure, despite the darkness,

Checking each component fits.

~0~

Twisting wires and placing timer,

Tucked beneath an ancient beam;

Constantly alert for danger.

Really misses usual team...

~0~

Picks up handy sheaf of papers;

London will be glad of these.

Back across to opened window,

Over windowsill with ease

~0~

Climbs from window, still in shadow,

Hears the guard approaching fast.

Responds at once in irate German;

Skills at such are unsurpassed.

~0~

Guard retreats, obeys his orders;

Once he's sure he's out of sight,

He scoots across the moonlit farmyard,

Stumbles once, resumes his flight.

~0~

Almost blunders into waiting

Tinkerbell, she grabs his arm

And hurries him away from danger;

Guides him out of range of farm.

~0~

Back they go through woods, ensuring

Nothing's left to mark their trail.

Nerves are masked by whispered words;

A cheerful, convoluted tale...

~0~

Parts from Tinkerbell at crossroads;

Earns a fleeting farewell kiss.

Smiles and travels on, and pictures

What his pals will make of this.

~0~

Towers and razor wire located,

Long night's work is almost done.

Sees Gestapo staff car leaving;

Grateful that he missed the "fun".

~0~

Finds the tree stump, grins at distant

Loud explosion, bright lit sky.

Drops to tunnel, boisterous welcome;

Mission over.

Piece of pie!

~0~