(Okay. On with it. )
(Barracks 1).
Max laid in the bed that the Germans made for their prisoners. Not as comfy as her bed, back in the States. But, it would do for.. However long the war would last.
Nudge asked, "Max? How long are we supposed to be here? " She'd always been the most eager to get back home.
Max answered, "If things go well. . . Not too long." She hated lying to her Flock. She didn't know how long they'd be there. All she knew, was what her 'superiors in DC had told her. They told her, to get in contact with Colonel Hogan. Now. . . She just had to figure out, who that was.
Angel asked, "Maybe we should ask the boys? They're in the next barracks over."
The three of them were placed in Barracks 1. The boys had been placed in Barracks 2. Max didn't like that they were in separate buildings. Separate rooms, sure but... Whole buildings? It felt. .. Strange.
She said, "I'm going to go check on them." She walked out of the barracks, only to be stopped. The man who stopped her, was dressed in the same uniform that she was.
The man was tall, with brown hair, and brown eyes. He had an expression on his face, showing that he was in no mood for nonsense.
Max saw him before. He asked her who she was. She decided to return the favor. She asked, "So.. What's your name? "
The man said, "Colonel Robert Hogan, US Army Air Corps. Senior officer of the Prisoners of war, around here. "
Max saluted him, "Lieutenant Colonel Maximum Ride, Sir! " She still wasn't one hundred percent comfortable with military life. But she knew that Colonel was higher than Lieutenant Colonel.
Hogan said, "No need for that, Colonel. We're not very formal in Stalag 13,except Colonel Klink. " He walked into their barracks, "Based on your uniform, I'd guess you weren't at Headquarters very long. You know Major Campbell? "
Max replied, "All due respect, Airm. Who the hell is Major Campbell?" They had only been at Headquarters for two weeks before coming to Stalag 13. Never once did they meet anyone named Campbell. Come to think of it. . They didn't know anyone lower than General at Headquarters.
Hogan said, "No one. Just a test I give everyone in case the Germans try to sneak in a spy on us."
Max said, "Nice." She looked around, seeing no guards on duty. She saw one was drunk. She soon was concerned, "Colonel, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to check on my friends. Those three boys, who came here with us? "
Hogan said, "They're with me, in Barracks 2 ." His voice went sarcastic, "Our ever beloved Kommandant, decided they'd learn to behave, if they were in the same barracks, as prisoners who don't behave. "
Max got a chuckle out of that. She said, "Yeah, that is kinda dumb. Well, I was about to check on them. See, we're really close and -"
Hogan replied, "I figured. If you need anything, I'm in Barracks 2." He decided to keep an eye on these kids.
Max said, "Thanks." She walked out
Hogan seemed like a good man, and a fine officer. To Hogan, Max was a good person. . But, her skill as an officer, would have to be tested.
(Another part of camp).
In Stalag 13, there's one part of camp, where the British prisoners hang out. It's known as 'British Country. " Within this part, came a young Lieutenant . He stood there, strong and silent. Someone walked up.
A man at the rank of Corporal. Short brown hair and eyes. He said, "Hello, Lieutenant. Name's Newkirk."
The Lieutenant replied, moving his black hair, away from his eyes , "Fang. "
Newkirk said, "Nice to meet you, Sir! " He extended his hand, "Anything you need, feel free to tell me. Unless I am busy with another officer, I can help you. "
Fang replied, "Whatever you say, Corporal. I'll just be in Barracks." He tried to walk away, but Newkirk stopped him.
Newkirk said, suspicious, "You sound quite American for an officer of the British Army. "
Fang had become annoyed, "I'm only an officer of the British Army because, according to some files, my mother was from London. A representative of the British government came to my home town, and recruited me. Plus, the American Army was a bit too.. Restrictive for my tate."
Newkirk nodded, but he was still suspicious. He'd been suspicious since the kids got there. Six children, in a POW Camp? Sounded like a Gestapo trap. He said, "Right, Sir . "
Fang walked away . He told Newkirk, "Stop with the 'Sir' stuff. I'm not some uptight British General. Just another guy. "
Newkirk had his suspicions.. But. . This kid seemed to be too good for a Gestapo agent.
Fang felt that, while Newkirk was slightly annoying, he was a nice guy. It'd hopefully go well. He'd be there for a while.
(Barracks 2).
Iggy was sleeping. Able to rest his blind eyes. He heard someone say, "Sergeant Iggy? That's not your bunk."
While Iggy couldn't see this man, he could make out some clues, with his other senses. The man sounded distinctly American. He spoke with a voice, that was kind of shakey. Like he was awaiting orders. This showed, he was an enlisted man. Iggy could guess the man had brown hair, simply because he heard the way he moved.
Iggy asked, "Who are you? "
The man replied, "I'm Technical Sergeant Carter, Senior NCO of the prisoners. I just figured I'd let you know that, that isn't your bunk. "
Iggy got up, "Well, where is mine?" He knew that he shared a bunk with Gazzy, but couldn't tell where it was. He walked around, trying to find it. He recognized Gazzy's fingerprints on one of the bunks. It was his.
Carter asked, "So, what's with your eyes, Sergeant? Why are they all... Faded? " He'd never seen a soldier, of any kind, with the faded eyes. It was kind of interesting.
Iggy replied, "Top secret. Officers only." He didn't know exactly how much authority Carter had. Or who he could tell. Especially, if the Germans find out they have a blind man in the camp.
Carter said, confused, "But. .. You're a Sergeant. That's not an officer's rank. " In fact, Carter out ranked Iggy.
Iggy replied, "Yeah. But, aside from my squadron, the only people authorized to know, are officers. By order of my Lieutenant Colonel. "
Carter replied, "Okay." If it was an order. Who's he to question it? He noticed something though. He said, "You have red hair. Are you Irish?"
Iggy replied, "No. According to some files, my mother was a Texan, and my father came from Hannibal, Missouri. All Southern. No jokes about the South, please. "
Carter replied, "Well. . I'm Native American. So.." He knew Natives didn't get made fun of lot (particularly, not on the level that Southerners are ) but he still wanted to keep things fair.
Iggy replied, "Alright. What's there to do, in a POW Camp?"
Carter said, "Let me show you. " They walked around the camp, finding the Rec Hall.
(Rec Hall )
A man, in the French uniform walked into the Rec Hall. This man was short, with black hair, brown eyes, and a scarf around his neck.
The two young French Sergeants from before, walked up to him.
The girl asked, "What's your name? "
LeBeau, begrudgingly, saluted them. He said, "Corporal Louis LeBeau, Free French Air Forces."
The girl said, "I'm Sergeant Angel. This is my brother. "
The boy said, "Im Sergeant Gazzy. " He took out a paper, "According to this. . Our mother's maiden name was LeBeau. "
LeBeau looked at the paper. It had the name, 'Anna LeBeau' on it. He whispered, "My sister?" He looked at the paper, then at them. He couldn't believe it. But it was right in front of him.
He said, "Well . . I still don't like that two children outrank me but. . It's nice to get to know you. "
The two siblings shared the same feeling. They now knew that they had an uncle. A blood relative in France.
(In Barracks 2. )
A man sat, operating a radio. This man was in the green uniform of the USAAF. An African American with short black hair, and a mustache.
The young Corporal from earlier came in. Looking like she was searching for something.
The man said, "May I ask what you're looking for, Corporal. ..?" He thought it appropriate to ask her her name.
She said, "Oh! I'm Corporal Nudge. I'm from Arizona. I'm looking for a radio." She looked down, "I want to make sure that my family, back in the States is okay. "
The man said, "Well, I hate to tell you ,but our radios can't reach the States. The farthest from Germany it can reach, is London "
Nudge said, looking down, "Oh. I just figured I'd see if Max's parents are alright. "
The man said, "Max? Your commanding officer? "
Nudge said, "The six of us were raised together, in Max's parents house. "
The man said, "Well, if it's any consultation, I can call London and ask them to check. "
Nudge simply replied , "I'd like that. Thank you, Mister . . "
The man said, "Kinch. Staff Sergeant James Kinchloe. People call me Kinch. "
Nudge simply saluted, "Nice to meet you, Sir. "
Kinch replied, "You too." Kinch thought this girl was nice. He'd haveto talk to her again.
Nudge thought the same about Kinch.
(Later ).
Beneath Stalag 13, was a series of tunnels. dug and built up by the prisoners.
The Stalag 13 operation. To sabotage the German war effort. Within these tunnels, was a fully functional radio. Operated by the second in command of the unit , Sergeant Kinchloe.
Kinch called London. Hoping to get some information about the new young prisoners.
He spoke with a British Captain,who claimed to know nothing about them.
Kinch asked, "Your sure that's all you can tell me? "
The Captain replied, "I'm sorry, Sergeant. That's all I can tell you. Those six have been stationed to work with you. The orders were issued personally, byGeneral Eisenhower. "
That surprised Kinch, who reported that information to Colonel Hogan.
Hogan said, curious, "These kids must be Awfully special, if they can attract Eisenhower's attention." Eisenhower was the Allied Supreme Commander. if he personally stationed then there, there had to be something special about them.
Hogan decided to figure out what. He saw the boys had walked over to Barracks 1. Where their comrades were. He followed them. outside of Barracks 1,was the dog they came into camp with. The dog was sleeping.
Hogan heard Sergeant Iggy say, "I know we said we'd vote on staying or leaving. . I vote for staying. Carter's a nice guy. Little naive, but not too bad. "
Nudge said, "Kinch is nice. I vote for stay. I think I could learn a bit from him. "
Angel and Gazzy said, in unison, "Stay. We like LeBeau." They felt LeBeau was a nice guy, and did what was needed. They liked him.
Fang said, "Newkirk'sa little annoying, but he's okay. A bit of a limey, but still a decent guy. Loyal British soldier. Stay. "
Max, though Hogan couldn't see her, said, "It's unanimous. Colonel Hogan's a nice guy. Good officer. Got a good head on his shoulders. We stay. "
Hogan appreciated the compliment. He saw Sergeant Iggy, move around like he couldn't see where he was going . Hogan realized. . Faded eyes. Stumbling around? The man's blind. But it didn't make sense. Why send a blind man to a POW Camp?
What made even less sense . When Max walked out of her quarters/office, with a massive pair of bird wings on her back. The dog woke , and barked from behind Hogan. Everyone saw.. It went awkwardly quiet. No one said a word.
Except the dog . Who (much to Hogan's surprise ) spoke. He said, seeing the situation, "Well. . . Crap. "