High Flying Trouble

By: AliasCWN

Chapter 3

When they reached the other jeep Troy was standing beside it talking to the American pilot. He looked over as Tully rolled to a stop. The look he gave Moffitt warned them both that something wasn't right.

The moment the pilot saw their passenger he reached for his sidearm. He had the gun up and pulled the trigger before Troy could stop him. The hammer fell on an empty chamber and the pilot screamed in frustration. He threw the weapon to the ground and lunged for the throat of the prisoner. Troy threw himself in the way and Hitch slid from his seat to help the sergeant.

"Get back Lieutenant!" Troy yelled. "He's a prisoner of war!"

"He shot Andy! Andy was helpless, he couldn't defend himself!" The lieutenant struggled to get past Troy and Hitch.

"We saw it." Troy admitted. "You're right; he didn't give him a chance."

"I'm going to kill him!"

"No Lieutenant, you're not." Troy argued. "If word gets out that we're shooting unarmed POW's then the Germans will retaliate. What if you or another one of your friends gets shot down and gets captured?"

"I don't care!"

"Well I do!" Troy yelled. "I care because it might be my men who end up paying for your revenge. I won't let that happen!"

"There isn't time to debate this here." Moffitt interrupted in a calm voice.

"What's going on Moffitt?" Troy asked without moving or taking his eyes off of the American pilot.

"That patrol called for help." The Brit explained. "A plane is due to arrive here in approximately twenty minutes." Moffitt looked at the American officer. "Our best interest would be served by leaving this area immediately."

"You heard him Lieutenant, we're moving out." Troy growled.

"Not until I kill that kraut!"

"Suit yourself Lieutenant, but we're leaving. You can get in the jeep or find your own way home. Either way the prisoner stays with us. We're turning him over to command; they'll decide what to do with him."

"I order you to step aside Sergeant!"

"I'm stepping aside." Troy replied. "I'm getting into my jeep and we're leaving." He looked over his shoulder at Moffitt's jeep. "We're taking our prisoner and getting out of here. You do what you want Lieutenant, but you only have thirty seconds to make up your mind before we leave you here."

Moffitt tapped Tully on the shoulder and Tully started to drive away. The Lieutenant stared after them angrily.

Troy climbed into the rear of his jeep and checked the ammo on the 50. He glanced over at the officer who stood rooted to the spot watching the other jeep drive away. "What's it going to be Lieutenant?"

"Oh all right! I'm coming!" The officer relented. He slid into the seat beside Hitch and cursed as he was thrown back into the seat as the jeep took off to catch up to Tully.

"I thought you'd be used to fast accelerations." Troy smiled as the lieutenant glared at Hitch.

"This isn't over Sergeant!"

"It was never up for debate Lieutenant, the sooner you realize that the better."

The road got rough but Moffitt kept Tully moving as fast as possible. There was no more conversation as everyone concentrated on staying in the fast moving vehicles while watching for enemy patrols or the expected plane.

Ten minutes later Tully found another wash in the bank and pulled into it. Hitch crowded his jeep in close behind. Both privates reached for their camo nets while the sergeants watched both of their unhappy passengers.

"Why are stopping Sergeant?" The lieutenant demanded. "I thought you said that we had to get out of the area."

"We do Lieutenant." Troy answered with a sigh. "But that plane is due soon and we don't want to get caught in the open. We don't want him to spot us. We can't outrun a plane."

The lieutenant was quiet for a minute as everyone watched the sky. "You said you saw the dogfight. I didn't see you."

"We saw you Lieutenant. We were hiding in a spot much like this one. The nets were over the jeeps then too."

"I didn't see you."

"You weren't supposed to see us. We had no idea who was coming when we heard the planes. We were watching that damaged bomber when you showed up. Do you know if the bomber got away?"

"Yes." The officer nodded. "I heard them talking to the base on the radio right before my engine died and I had to bail out."

"Where's your plane?"

"About a mile that way." The pilot pointed toward the water. "After I jumped I drifted inland to find a place to hide. I saw the rock formation where Andy went down and tried to land near it."

"Then the krauts don't have a wreck to use as a starting point for their search?"

"Not unless they use those patrol cars." The lieutenant answered sarcastically. He made it sound as if it were Troy's fault that the Germans had found him."

"Those cars saw you and would have picked you up if we hadn't stopped them." Troy responded. "Until then they didn't know we were in the area. You're lucky we were close by and in a position to help."

"It didn't do Andy any good." The officer responded bitterly.

"We might have been able to protect him after he landed but we can't fly Lieutenant. He was on his own until he reached the ground."

"But you're protecting the kraut that killed him."

"No Lieutenant, we're protecting future POWs. Like I said, if the krauts found out we killed him after we captured him they would do the same to our guys. I don't like it any more than you do but that's the way it has to be."

"According to you."

"According to me." Troy repeated firmly. "We'll turn him over to the authorities and let them decide what to do with him. Until then, he's our prisoner and will be treated according to the rules of the Geneva Convention." Troy turned to his own men, ignoring the officer, and issued his orders.

"Tully, take a pair of binoculars and go stand guard. Keep a sharp eye out for patrols as well as planes. Hitch, watch the prisoner. I don't want him causing any more trouble."

"Do you want me to get him out of the jeep?"

"No," Troy decided, "we may have to leave in a hurry, leave him in there."

Hitch nodded and went to stand next to the prisoner. The prisoner glared at him but Hitch ignored him.

It wasn't long before they heard a plane engine drawing closer and closer.

"Ours Lieutenant?" Troy looked toward the American pilot.

"No, German." The officer replied shortly.

Troy nodded and listened to the plane circle overhead. The German pilot made several passes over them, dropping lower with each pass. The men under the net tensed every time the plane flew over their heads. Finally the pilot turned his plane and headed back over the mountain toward his base.

"He's leaving Sarge." Tully called.

"Give him five minutes Tully, just in case he circles back." Troy responded.

"He may have seen out tracks." Moffitt suggested.

"If he did he probably called it in." Hitch added.

"Then he would have stuck around to guide the ground troops to us." Troy reasoned.

"Maybe he's low on fuel." Hitch suggested.

"They were refueling." Moffitt replied. "That's why he didn't get here sooner."

"Whatever the reason, it sounds like he gave up." Troy answered.

Maybe he doesn't like this guy either." Hitch nodded toward the prisoner. "Maybe they don't care if we keep him."

Troy laughed. "Yeah, I'll bet that's it." He gave Hitch a friendly shove. "Let's get these jeeps uncovered. I'd like to put some distance between us and here before they send any ground troops after us."

They uncovered the jeeps and continued to run for the distant base. Along the way they had to dodge another patrol and a small column. By nightfall they were ready to relax and get some sleep.

Tully pulled into a small cave that they had used for shelter earlier while on their way to drop off the operative. Hitch got a fire going and was cooking their meal while Moffitt moved the prisoner to the back of the cave. Troy kept his eye on the American pilot, alert for any attempt to harm their prisoner. Tully stood at the mouth of the cave on guard duty.

Hitch served the meals and everyone found a spot to sit while they ate. The lieutenant watched as Troy finished his meal and offered to take Tully his supper.

"Thanks Sarge." Hitch smiled in appreciation. "I'll clean up and get everything put away then I'll take care of the jeeps." He handed Troy Tully's plate and took Troy's empty one.

"I'll take the prisoner his supper." Moffitt offered.

"Do you need help?" Hitch asked.

"No thank you." Moffitt declined the offer. "I'm not going to untie his hands and he's tied to the rocks so he can't run off. We'll be fine."

Hitch nodded and busied himself cleaning up the mess from supper.

Moffitt took a weapon from his jeep and the plate of food.

"He doesn't deserve to eat." The lieutenant's angry words were pitched too low to carry to Troy in the entrance to the cave.

Hitch turned to look at the flyer. "He's a prisoner of war, we have to feed him."

"We don't have to do anything for him. He should be dead."

Hitch nodded. "He's a poor excuse for a human being, I'll give you that, but he's still our prisoner."

"No one knows we have him."

Hitch eyed the officer with a frown. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"We could shoot him and no one would ever know."

"We'd know."

"But no one else has to know!"

"We'd know." Hitch repeated. He turned away to repack the jeep.

The lieutenant watched him work and fumed at his refusal to give in. With the jeep repacked Hitch filled the gas tanks and was working on filling the radiators. Troy was still with Tully and Moffitt was watching the prisoner eat. Hitch lifted the hood on the second jeep and was removing the radiator cap when a movement caught his eye. He looked up in time to catch the butt of one of the machine guns along the side of his head. He grunted and fell against the jeep before sliding to the ground.

Moffitt heard the thud and looked up in time to see Hitch fall to the floor of the cave. He stepped in front of the prisoner as the lieutenant pointed the gun at the German.

"Get out of the way Sergeant!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that Lieutenant. According to the Geneva Convention this man is entitled to certain protections. I can't allow you to shoot him unless he tries to escape."

"Then turn him loose and let him run." The officer demanded. "That's more of a chance than he gave Andy!"

"That's true." Moffitt nodded. "But hardly what the signers of the Geneva Convention had in mind."

"I don't care!"

"You're an officer Lieutenant." Moffitt continued calmly. "This is hardly the type of behavior one would expect of an officer. I would expect an officer to show more control over his emotions. If you shoot him Lieutenant you are no better than him."

"Andy wasn't only my wingman, he was my best friend!"

"I understand that Lieutenant but it doesn't change the facts. I still cannot allow you to shoot this prisoner under these circumstances."

"Drop the weapon Lieutenant." Troy stood behind the officer holding his own machine gun pointed at the other American.

"You may as well listen to Sergeant Troy." Moffitt urged.

"Why would I do that?" The lieutenant demanded. "He won't shoot me."

"He won't have to." Moffitt answered. "If you try to fire that weapon it will most likely blow up in your face. Tully fell with it earlier and the barrel is packed with sand. He hasn't had a chance to clean it yet."

The lieutenant looked uncertain for the first time. Taking his eyes off of Moffitt, he glanced down at the barrel of the weapon in his hands. Sand was still packed in the edges where the barrel fit into the stock. Lowering the machine gun he glared defiantly at Troy. "I'll kill him yet."

Troy took the machine gun and dropped it onto the jeep seat. "You give me any more trouble Lieutenant and we'll leave you here to walk back to your base." Keeping his own weapon, Troy stalked off, leaving the officer to glare at his back. Troy dropped to his knees next to Hitch.

"Is Hitch okay?" Moffitt asked as he knelt next to Troy.

"He's out." Troy answered with a glare at the officer. "Check him out. I'll keep an eye on both of our passengers. I'm about ready to shoot them both myself and forget they ever existed."

"There's the three s's." Tully called from the entrance to the cave where he had observed everything.

"Three s's?" Troy asked.

"Shoot, shovel, and shut up." Tully drawled. "Works back home."

"You shoot people and don't say anything?" Troy asked.

Tully grinned. "Not usually people. It's usually applied more to illegal hunting, but hey, whatever works." Tully looked toward the two unhappy passengers. "How's Hitch?" His grin faded as he looked down at the unconscious blond.

"He was knocked out but I don't think there was any real harm done." Moffitt answered. "He's going to have a headache and a tender spot for a while." Hitch started to stir as Moffitt spoke.

Troy glanced down at his driver.

Moffitt helped Hitch sit up, giving him support until he appeared steady.

"The lieutenant hit me." Hitch growled in a fair imitation of Troy.

"We saw that." Moffitt nodded as he checked Hitch's head again. "Are you seeing double?"

Hitch reached up and rubbed the darkening bruise. "No, I think I'm all right. I have a headache though."

"I'll bet you do." Moffitt chuckled in relief. "Sit still and I'll get you some aspirin."

"Finish filling the radiator." Troy ordered when he saw the look Hitch gave the lieutenant. "Is the other jeep ready?"

"Ready Sarge." Hitch nodded and winced. "This one is ready except for the radiator."

"Finish it and get some sleep, you have next watch."

Hitch glared at the lieutenant before nodding at Troy. "Thanks Doc, I'm okay now."

Moffitt stepped away so Hitch had room to get to his feet. "If you get dizzy or feel any ill effects let me know immediately."

"Okay Doc."

The lieutenant watched Troy warily as Hitch completed the maintenance on the jeep and turned in to get some sleep. "I wasn't trying to hurt him, your private, that is."

Troy looked over at the lieutenant. In the flickering light of the small fire the officer had a haunted look that Troy had seen on too many faces. It was the look of someone who had seen too much death and destruction. The flames highlighted the angular features of a face that was too thin. Only his eyes seemed immune to the dancing flames. The dark pupils were large, surrounded by a deep brown that looked black in the dim light. Constant combat and the repeated losses of those around him had taken their toll on the flyer.

"Have you been in North Africa long Lieutenant?"

"Eight months." The officer nodded. He took a seat on a rock across the fire from Troy. "They sent me here straight out of flight school. I got my first combat experience over here."

"Seen much?"

The lieutenant nodded without looking at Troy. Instead he stared at the small flames dancing in the fire. "Eleven of us came out of flight school together. We were all assigned to the same unit here in North Africa. Most of us were together in basics too. We got to be pretty close." The officer smiled fondly at the memory. "We were young, fresh out of college, and out to save the world. All of that training, we thought we were the best trained pilots in the war." He snorted. "The Germans soon showed us a few tricks we never learned in school." He shook his head. "But even then, we were young, we thought we were invincible. The thought that we could be killed never crossed our minds, at least not seriously. You know how it is; you always think it's going to happen to someone else, but not to you. No, you're the charmed one, the one no bullet can touch." The lieutenant raised his head to look at Troy. "But we were wrong. Eight months, eight lousy months, that's all it took. Andy and I were the last of us, now he's gone too."

Troy saw the tear drop from the lieutenant's face and purposely looked away. The silence felt heavy in the confines of the small cave.

"You buried him?"

"Yeah." Troy nodded. "Hitch wrapped him in his parachute and we buried him near a rock formation that protected him from the worst of the elements."

The lieutenant nodded, turning his eyes back to the fire. "I grew up next door to Andy. I'll have to write his parents, but I don't know what I'll say."

"Tell them he died saving the lives of that bomber crew." Troy suggested. "Tell them it was quick and he didn't suffer. Tell them he had a decent burial and you know where the grave is so you can find it later."

The lieutenant closed his eyes and let his head fall back as he drew a deep breath. Finally he nodded. "You're right, that's what I need to say. It won't make it right, but maybe they can find some peace with that."

"Nothing is going to make it right." Troy answered. "Killing that kraut pilot won't make it right. It won't change what happened. It won't bring him back."

"Have you ever lost a close friend?"

Troy nodded, mentally listing the names of all of the friends he'd lost. "That's why I try so hard to protect the ones that are still here."

"Your men?"

"My men." Troy acknowledged.

"It doesn't pay to get too close emotionally." The lieutenant stated.

Too late for that. Troy thought.

The lieutenant sighed and got to his feet. "I think I'll turn in." He turned toward the blankets Moffitt had laid out for him. "I'll apologize to your private tomorrow."

Troy watched the officer shuffle off to his bed and thought about the friends he'd lost in the war.