Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I was going to leave it as a one shot, but you've convinced me to keep writing :) I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. The first one went really fast, this one took a little bit more prying. Hopefully the next couple will go a little quicker!As before, reviews and criticism of all forms are greatly appreciated!
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Staring out the window of the plane – which was about to take off – Colonel Hogan unconsciously tightened his fists, picturing all the instruments and gauges that would be in front of him if her were the one flying. Being a passenger made him a little edgy. What would he do if something happened? He didn't want to just sit there while the plane went down! Mentally he kicked himself. 'What am I doing?! I've never been this nervous, not even on my first go as a pilot!'
"Is this your first flight deary?" asked the little old lady in the seat next to him, noticing his tightly clenched fists, "You look nervous."
"No," he answered, puzzled, "I was a pilot during the war." Then he looked down at his white knuckles and chuckled, "It's my first flight as a passenger," he explained, "I like to be the one in charge."
She reached over and patted his hand. "Don't worry dear, I'm sure the pilot knows what he's doing," she smiled at him.
He smiled back, "I'm sure he does too."
The plane began to move down the runway, slowly gaining speed, the engine roaring. It moved faster and faster until Hogan felt the wheels pull up off the runway and suddenly, they were air born. 'You don't get the same rush as when you're the one flying it' he noticed.As he watched the land fall away, he thought back on the last time he'd seen Tiger, his men, and their last mission together.
It had been crazy to even attempt it. It should have been suicide. But it had been an order, and somehow, miraculously, they'd done it. They'd all made it out together. How they'd managed to pull it off was still a mystery to him.
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The four men, Colonel Hogan, Newkirk, Carter and Le Beau all gathered around Kinch and his radio, waiting for orders from London. They'd been in the tunnels for a good hour, waiting for the communication to come through. The war was nearing an end, everyone could feel it. Klink, Schultz, and all the Germans were receiving bad news from Berlin everyday, while reports from London had brought the group information on the Allies' victories on all fronts. They were hoping for more good news. However, they seemed to be taking their own good time about it.
"Boy, they sure take a while don't they?" Carter asked. Colonel Hogan opened his mouth to reply, but before anyone could speak, the radio kicked on and Kinch signaled for silence as he concentrated on the code. The radio man took longer to decode the message than usual, ensuring that he'd gotten it correct. Then he asked London to repeat it. He checked it again, and handed it to Hogan. The Colonel quickly read over the communication, his eyebrows shooting upward. He glanced at Kinch who nodded, "I checked it three times, Colonel."
"Bad news, gov'ner?" Newkirk asked.
Hogan looked down at it again, shaking his head. "The Germans have one last plan to win this war," he said, "and we're going to stop them."
"Que c'est?" Le Beau asked.
Carter spoke up, "Yeah, um, what is it, Colonel?"
"They've set up a missile four miles from camp that's big enough to destroy London completely if they get it launched," Hogan answered, "And our mission just happens to be stopping it." He paused, reluctant to reveal the next part, "it also seems to be guarded by Anti-Aircraft guns that our flyers can't get near it. Our infantry is close, but not close enough to stop it before it fires. We're all they've got; that and the underground if they're willing to help." He looked at the shocked faces of his men. "Kinch," he said, "radio the underground, we're gonna need all the help we can get on this one."
"Right, Colonel," he replied, turning quickly back to his radio.
"Holy cow," Carter whispered, then louder, "How do they expect us to pull that off?"
"They're leaving that up to us," Hogan answered, "We haven't let them down so far, I guess they figure we can pull off one more before we all go home."
"Incroyable!" Le Beau shouted.
"Are they bloody daft? They're givin' us no help at all?" Newkirk asked angrily.
"We're on our own boys." Hogan answered them. He looked around him. He saw the faces filled with anger quickly drain and settle into resolve. They were entitled to protest - it seemed a totally reckless and suicidal mission. He knew that once they were done complaining though, they'd do what they needed to do and do it well.
"Underground's ready and willing to help, Colonel," Kinch said from the radio, "They'll meet us tonight at the usual place and let us know just how many men they'll have."
"Alright. I'll be the one going out to meet the underground tonight – alone," Hogan said, "This'll be the toughest job we've had, so I want to remind you all that this is strictly volunteer. Anyone who wants to can back out now."
The four men looked at each other. "Seein' as we'll be protecting my lovely ol' London, I can't really back out now, can I?" Newkirk replied.
Carter was the next to stand up, "You're sure gonna need me one of my bombs, and I wouldn't miss seeing a missile like that 'un blow! I'll design the best bomb you've ever seen boy…um sir, just you wait . . ."
"Thanks Carter," Hogan stopped him in mid-rant.
"Um, yes sir."
"I don't get out much," Kinch stated, "What could be better than giving my legs a good stretch on the outside?"
"Oui, mon Colonel, it will be beautiful to see the boches outsmarted again," Le Beau volunteered.
Hogan smiled at their statements, proud of all of them. "Alright, thanks men," he said, "Kinch, what time is it?"
"12:20 Colonel," he answered.
"I'll go get the underground man. We're all going to have to work on this thing, so you guys go and get some rest," Hogan ordered, "We'll figure out just how we're going to pull this off when I get back."