Major Mix-up
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 5
"You all know the plan. Moffitt will go in and steal the documents while the rest of us hang around outside to cover his escape if he needs it."
"Some plan." Tully frowned. "Doc's going to be all alone in there."
"Do you speak German?" Moffitt asked quietly.
"No."
"Then you would only jeopardize my safety in there." The sergeant took a breath. "I know it's not ideal Tully, but it really is the best way. I would love to have one of you along but if anyone spoke to you it would doom the entire mission."
"Which brings us to another point." Troy added. "It's late. We'll be hanging around after curfew, so don't make it too obvious. Stay out of sight if you can. If you are spotted you may have to silence any witnesses. Do it quietly and hide the bodies. Any alert at this point puts us all in danger so keep an eye on one another."
"Got it Sarge." Hitch answered as Tully nodded.
"And Hitch, get rid of that gum. I know you don't think about it half of the time and I don't want you popping it at the wrong time."
Hitch nodded and pulled the gum from his mouth and dropped it on the ground. He kicked sand over it and looked up to see Troy nodding in approval.
"All right, let's shake it."
Tully found a secure place to hide and watched as Moffitt entered the building where the plans were kept. He glanced around but he couldn't see Hitch or Troy. The streets were mostly empty with only an occasional soldier hurrying from one place to another. As he waited he took note of the streets used must frequently by the pedestrians who walked by his hiding place. He brought up a mental image of the map their contact had drawn of the base for them. They knew where the barracks were located. Like Hitch, he had paid special attention to the location of the motor pool. He knew how to find it from his current location. If Moffitt ran into trouble he and Hitch were to try to reach the motor pool and steal transportation. Satisfied that he had the map clear in his mind, he settled in to wait for Moffitt's return.
Moffitt talked his way past the guards at the entrance easily. The forged papers the contact had supplied were good enough to fool the enlisted men but he doubted that they would fool an officer if he checked closely. Once inside he ducked into an empty office to get his bearings. He hid behind the door as footsteps sounded in the hall. The guard passed without checking the office.
The sergeant turned to the desk and searched the papers piled there. Picking up a few of them he headed for the door. If he were to be stopped he could claim to be delivering the papers to another office. He moved quickly and quietly toward the commander's office.
The halls were darkened and nearly empty as he proceeded at a quick pace, like a man on a mission. He clutched the papers in his hand and prayed that no one would question him. As he walked past the offices he took note of any names displayed on the doors.
The commander's office was locked but Moffitt had his lock picks with hm. He made short work of opening the door. He slipped inside and locked the door behind him. The moonlight coming through the windows allowed him to see the various maps tacked to the walls. At a quick glance they all looked like the kind of maps one would find in any commander's office. None of them had any particular marks that would indicate an offensive was planned.
Moving toward the cabinet the sergeant spotted a manila folder lying on the desk. Opening it he found the plans he was looking for, plus maps and a handwritten note to a Major Lentz. Smiling to himself Moffitt tucked the folder inside the tunic he wore. He gave the office one final search before heading for the door. The guard was making his rounds so Moffitt waited for him to pass. As soon as the footsteps faded the sergeant unlocked the door and stepped into the hall. The lock on the door clicked shut behind him, sounding loud in his ears. Straightening his jacket and shuffling the papers in his hand, he retraced his steps. If anyone stopped him he would claim to be delivering the papers to the office where he had found them.
He passed two soldiers on his way out. Both glanced at the papers in his hands and the rank on his shoulders and saluted. He returned their salutes, wished them a good night, and continued on his way.
Troy rushed out to meet him as he exited the building. He nodded at the other sergeant to let him know that he had been successful. Tully and Hitch continued to stay out of sight as they headed for an alley where they could talk.
"I got it Troy. We need to leave as soon as possible. The offensive starts the day after tomorrow. We don't have much time to get the information back to our side."
"They know something is coming." Troy answered. "They're already on alert. Getting caught or killed getting out of here isn't going to help."
"Don't forget, we left a dead soldier in that stable. They'll be looking for us tomorrow anyway."
"I haven't forgotten." Troy answered. "Let's go back and talk to our contact. Maybe he knows a way we can get out tonight."
Avoiding everyone they saw, the four men crept back to the house of their contact.
"Can you get us out?" Troy asked after explaining everything to the man who seemed to be in charge.
"There might be a way but the Germans will know that you were here."
"They're going to know anyway." Moffitt answered. "I took the papers. They will be missed in the morning; as will the dead soldier." He added.
"Us leaving is better than us staying." Troy continued. "If we get caught on the way out they won't know who helped us. If we get caught here then you will be in trouble too."
"I am willing to take that risk Sergeant." The man answered. "But you are correct. It would be better if you are gone when they come looking." He turned and gave orders to one of the other men in the room. "There is a section of wall that is not so heavily guarded. There is only one guard that they depend on to watch that sector. If you can kill that guard then you might be able to go over the wall without being discovered."
"We'll need transportation once we get over the wall."
"There is a house there, right outside the wall. The German soldiers go there to meet certain women. There is usually at least one car parked there overnight. I will send someone to make sure that there is one there now. There is only one major problem with this plan."
"And that is?"
"There is also a guard tower overlooking that section of the wall. The approach is very open. I am not sure if you would be able to kill the guard quietly. Perhaps you could slip over while he is on the other side of the tower. That is unless he notices the guard missing from the wall. If there are any shots fired you will not have time to reach the house and take the car."
"How close can we get?" Troy asked.
"Not close enough for a knife throw if that is what you are thinking."
"I wasn't thinking about a knife." Troy answered. He looked over at Tully. "Did you bring your slingshot?"
"It's in my pack." Tully replied with a grin.
"Dig it out; we're going to need it."
By the time word came back that there was a car parked outside the wall Troy and Moffitt had mapped out the route they would take back to the American base. Their contact provided them with a rope to scale the wall and their own guns so they had weapons that were familiar. He also provided a guide to get them as close to the guard tower as possible.
"I wish you luck gentlemen. Your journey will not be an easy one but it will be one worth taking."
"Thank you for your help. I hope we haven't caused you any trouble."
Their contact brushed off Troy's thanks. "My family has already suffered at the hands of the Germans. This is our war as well as yours. I consider it an honor to have helped in any way possible. Now it is getting late, you must be on your way. Once it gets light the Germans have a scout plane they use to search the desert for enemy patrols. Do not let them see you or they will radio the surrounding bases to ambush you."
"We've had some experience with that sort of combat." Troy smiled. "We'll be careful."
"Then go my friends, run far, and run fast."
Troy nodded and turned to leave. Each man thanked their contact as they left his home.
The information was correct. The guard tower was manned by a single guard. He walked around the edges keeping an eye on not only the wall but the sleeping town too. Their guide was very careful to stay out of sight every time he was on the side toward the town.
When they were still half a football field from the tower the guide stopped and waited.
"This is as far as he will go." Moffitt translated for the Arab.
Troy nodded. "Tell him thanks and tell him we will give him ten minutes to get back to his home before we try anything. If the Germans catch us he can claim ignorance."
Moffitt translated and smiled as the Arab departed. "He says thank you. He also wishes us a safe journey."
"He'd better be more careful or he'll get caught before we do." Tully drawled as he watched the man hurry toward his home.
"We aren't going to get caught." Troy grinned. "You're going to get close enough to take out that guard and Hitch will take out the one on the wall. Then we'll slip over, steal that car, and we'll be on our way."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that." Troy grinned again.
"Okay." Tully answered. "But I'm going to have to get closer so I can be sure of a kill."
"Take all the time you want. You have ten minutes." Troy answered.
Tully nodded and began his approach. Every time the guard was on the side of the tower toward the wall Tully would move. It took more than ten minutes to cover twenty yards. Finally he looked back and caught Troy watching him. Giving a quick nod, he waited for the signal to fire.
Troy checked on Hitch. He had sent him to get closer to the guard on the wall. He had to stay back until the guard on the tower was neutralized but he was as close as he could get until then. He gave Troy a nod. Troy turned and gave Tully the signal.
Tully bit one of his bullets and pulled the lead free. Dropping the empty casing he pulled his slingshot from his pocket. Picking up a small hand full of sand he let it trickle to the ground to check the strength and direction of the wind. Making mental adjustments to his calculations, he loaded the slingshot and took aim.
The guard looked out over the sleeping town and yawned. Guard duty at night was boring. At least during the day you could watch all of the people below going about their business. With the curfew the town was dark and deserted. Giving his head a good shake to chase away the drowsiness, he returned to his duties.
There was no muzzle flash to give away the shot. No flash of gunpowder or loud noise as the bullet was propelled from the weapon to its target. One minute the guard was alive and moving, the next he was dead and dropping to the floor. His rifle slid to the wooden platform, caught between the railing and his body. The clunk as it hit was not loud but sound carried well on the night air.
The guard on the wall heard the noise and turned toward the tower. He looked but he couldn't see the guard stationed there. Thinking that the guard was just on the other side, he called out to him.
Moffitt cupped his hands to distort his voice and answered the call.
The guard on the wall relaxed slightly at the response but he continued to watch the tower. As he stared at the tower Hitch rushed toward his position. He called again when the tower guard did not appear. He was waiting for an answer when he felt a hot, burning pain. He felt a hand close over his mouth as he struggled to understand what was happening. Realization dawned even as his vision went dark. He slid to the ground with Hitch still covering his mouth.
Hitch pulled his blade free and wiped it clean before getting to his feet. He looked over and caught Troy's eye. Waving for the others to join him at the wall he checked for any other guards who might have noticed something. But their contact had been correct again; guards were scarce on this part of the wall. Apparently the Germans had considered the tower sufficient coverage for their needs.
Moffitt tied the end of their rope to a post and threw the coils over the top of the wall. With Troy offering him a foothold he was able to reach the top of the wall. He paused long enough for Tully to hand him his rifle before he dropped over the other side. Tully followed in the same manner. He helped Moffitt stand watch until Hitch could boost Troy to the top. Tully and Troy held the rope tight as Hitch used it to scale the wall. Troy handed him his rifle as he dropped down next to the others. Moving as silently as shadows they headed for the house of ill repute.