Carter and I exited the boardinghouse in utter darkness without the elderly woman hovering over us. Indeed, we didn't find her as we left and already, it was late (I think it was about 1900 hours, and then I remembered England does get dark early this time of year, but at least it's still warm). I knew that we had to reach High Command soon. We have to notify the Generals of our plans and radio Rob, except it won't be on the usual wave length we use like I told the duo that we'd do. This information drop to Hansel and Gretel was going to trap them: if we have extra security at that ammo dump, then they've been notifying the Krauts. If not, then we should have no problem in bombing both areas Rob has been aiming for.

Carter kept closer behind me as we walked down Rosemary Lane Back again, along Ratcliff Highway and cutting down back to the docks this time. I wanted to go back to our Headquarters in style and use a boat to quickly get back. Carter, I could see without asking, was appreciative of what I decided as we walked to London Dock. The boatman we met at the dock accepted the pound I had without complaint and let us on, only to drop us off at the bridge at Upper Thames Street. There was no dock there, but a walkway we had to climb to, but it was a far cry from walking the whole back.

There was much more to think about than getting back to Headquarters. Carter was the first to voice what he thought as we carefully climbed up the bridge and avoided the woolies at the same time. I knew that they patrolled the bridges especially and it wouldn't do if Carter and I were arrested for climbing a bridge because the boatman dropped us off there. I, for one, cannot be held in another cell waiting to head back to another.

"Mad'm," Carter said desperately, "why did you give away that information? Colonel Hogan would be so mad at you for doing that! You can't just –"

"Carter," I interrupted again as we passed Apothecaries' Hall, "the information I gave them was set up that way. That was what we had to give them to prove which side they were on." I paused as we passed a regular-looking man in the alleyway. I couldn't tell, through his normal facade, who he was, but whoever he happened to be, he disappeared into the alley. I whispered to Carter from then on. "And we're not using the regular wave length. If not used and tapped into by nosy people, then it gives the appearance of there not being such a length, but one that is empty. No, we're using another."

"So, they're the ones who sent the message?" Carter inquired.

"Yes, Carter," I answered as entered Fleet Street, "and I'm pretty positive about it. They confirmed what I feared. We need to move over to the next step."

Carter gave me a childish glare. "Then why are you not negative about it? I mean, I know that people are optimistic about everything –"

"Carter…" I warned, getting a headache.

"– But you have to have a little doubt about –"

"Carter, SHUT UP!" I yelled. I lost my patience with him already, and in yelling at him, I probably woke up all suspicion on us from all those in the darkness, without a care but that we got back to Headquarters in one piece. I knew that I had to be patient and serene about his lack of common sense and his ranting, but I've had enough already. We have to reach the next step and tighten the rope on those spies.

Carter, might I add, was quiet the rest of the way to Headquarters.

~00~

"Yes, General Alburtis, I am certain about them."

Carter and I were once standing before the three generals that gave us trouble in the first place. Generals Milton and Clark were still on conference with Alburtis, but when they heard, from their aide, that I was here with more information they let me in. Their papers filled with secret strategies were hidden from me, compared to the rushed job of filing them together and hiding them. But at least the three of them were listening to me.

Carter, as before, hid from them and then came out behind the door and saluted, standing in attention. I almost hit him in the back of the head, much as Newkirk does when he gets frustrated with him.

"Colonel," Alburtis answered me, rubbing his forehead, "you have created, as we've said, a wild accusation of two people we considered to be our best. They know Germany, they speak the language and they have even helped us determine which route we can take to invade parts of the annexed Germany."

"General," I said sighing and being happy that LeBeau wasn't here, "I could do the same thing and I'm wanted by the Gestapo, who, by the way, have a price on my head. Everyone in Germany, if they saw me, would know me for my mother's daughter and would swear that we are alike in many ways and will even mistake me for her. But, this is more than a feeling. The wave we received at Stalag 13 was 430 and the one I saw was the same. It was also on, but there was no opposite person and transmission. Both were anxious that Sergeant Carter and I leave. This could be interpreted as them wanting us leave for security reasons."

I thought of their child, Marie, and sighed. "But, at the same time, their daughter was missing. Every parent's responsibility is to love, nourish and feed, shelter and care for their children. I have never met a parent save for my mother that never cared for their child and were not in hysterics if they went missing. Both of them were more concerned that we leave. I dropped information that we were going to get the ammo dump that our bombers were to have gotten over a week ago, but didn't because of the horrid weather. In the process, another in the area will be destroyed and when the guards go to the engulfed base, the ammo dump they were guarding is to be destroyed."

"Colonel," General Clark said, "how do you know that this is going to work? I know that you and Colonel Hogan have planned this arrangement to trap these people, but there are flaws in this. For example, how do you know that anyone knows about what you are doing?"

"General," I answered, "Colonel Hogan and I are always vague when we transmit messages to each other, but we all know the codes we established. Indeed, we also seem to read each others' minds." I chuckled softly, but when I didn't see that those around me didn't find it amusing, I continued. It's a private joke, Nikki, and they don't find it as amusing as you do. "I knew what he was talking about anyhow. I dropped the tidbit that we were following what the message said for us to do, and Hansel and Gretel did admit that they sent us that message. They said it was orders from here."

"But there was no such order from here!" General Milton said.

"Exactly the point," I said. "So this simple fence-in will tempt them to radio the Krauts."

"That's only if they do interact with the Germans," General Alburtis said.

"Yes, I'll admit that," I said. "But truth be told, my feelings have told me otherwise. There is other evidence that adds to this paranoid theory I have. I do believe that they are just as criminated here as we are at Stalag 13, working behind the Krauts' back except they are not prisoners of war. There is an old saying I have learned, Sirs, and it was 'Even the best fall.' Even in the most peaceful and un-warlike circumstances, we have our people who look out for what we are searching for. And as you all know, even who we consider to be the best fall into another cause."

There was silence after my speech and I was about to turn to the door when General Milton said, "Colonel, please radio Hammelburg and get this over with. Just…keep this place as secret as you can." I knew then that I was dismissed.

Saluting next to Carter, I said, "You won't be disappointed, Sir. We'll catch who has been doing this." Smiling, I left and this time, it was with Carter, who almost stood there saluting again.

~00~

The radio room was as busy as ever with the oncoming counter offensive that the Krauts are posing on us as D-Day plans progress and we head further and further into France and the Netherlands. There are also the attacks in Africa (Rommel is not there anymore, for his Afrika Corp, but the Nazis are a pain, nonetheless). I tried finding the same corporal that allowed us to use his radio and he was out of sight, without a thoroughly thought-of search. Against all the Colonels, Generals and other commanders of the different units and sections of each army, I found him. With Carter trembling behind me (most likely in response to the amount of generals here), I put a hand on the Corporal's shoulder.

Jumping up, the Corporal turned around and only found me. He relaxed and said, "Hey, sorry about that, Colonel Michalovich. I thought you were one of them over there." He indicated the group of colonels and generals locked up in a tight circle.

I laughed, and I felt Carter's grip on my coat loosen. "No need to salute me, Corporal," I said. "I was wondering if you could please let us use your radio again. This is top, priority one message to Germany, Camp 13."

The Corporal grinned at me, pulling out his chair for me, and said, "Anything for the top spy here."

I gasped audibly as I sat down, and almost angrily (more like annoyed, really) asked, "How do you know who I am?" He was the second person to have said that and I have increasingly irritating that people are referring me as such. I am not the top spy of the Allies Forces. I can seriously say that it is a gross exaggeration.

Carter, again behind me and still gripping my coat, closed his eyes tightly and knew from experience that to anger me was to get into trouble. But this corporal didn't know that, and even if he did, he was fearless of me. He even spoke boldly. "Begging your pardon, Mad'm, but it's all here that you're around and searching for some double agents. Nobody believes that they are what you say they are, but since you never have gone truly wild, it's a given that you're right. It's also the gossip here that you and Colonel Hogan are a couple. That's no secret."

The corporal then snickered at me, the most hilarious thing I've seen that day, and continued. I didn't even bother to laugh that time because of the Generals here. "It's about the only thing I can do for you anyway, Ma'am. I only help those who are associated with my former commanding officer, and he was a great man, even when he was captured. And anyone who interacts with him I can most certainly help." And with that, he left. I didn't even get his name or even what he meant by his former commanding officer. Was it Rob? Most likely, because the only other officer I knew on our side at Stalag 13 is Rob and that is the only officer I work with.

I didn't bother to chase him, nor did I give it a second thought. Turning the knobs once more and turning on that microphone, I said, "Goldilocks, this is Mama Bear, come in, Goldilocks. England shall be free, and shall have her whole rights and liberties inviolable."

I was happy when I didn't hear the usual static that came last time, but Baker's voice, loud and clear. "Mama Bear, this is Goldilocks. We read you crystal clear."

"Good," I answered. "Listen: we have dropped the false scrolls to the agents, and now we wait for them to pick up the mail."

"It's been done already and they took the bait," Baker's voice boomed for a minute before growing quiet. Some generals gave me an irritated stare, but I was more concerned with this than anything else. "Hansel and Gretel are about to be taken in by the old chaps. Do you read me?"

I was ecstatic. It came that quickly! It was only 2210 hours and by then, Hansel and Gretel are being interrogated about their activities with the Krauts. Our side came in quickly!

But then I had a thought. I think Germany was a few hours ahead of England, so yes it would have been done quicker than I thought it was going to be. "Yes, I hear ya, Goldilocks. I just didn't think the mail would come so early this time of year for us." I paused for a moment before saying anything else. "I am also very happy that the grounds have been cleared out."

"It was the perfect lie," Baker responded in a mocking British accent, making me giggle and snort (the Generals were staring at me), "and the chaps over there don't seem to be so happy after all."

"Now, those two can't be that happy over their just prize," I said. Knowing that I had to leave, said, "And singular his articles forever shall be steadfastly, firmly and inviolably observed."

"Good job, Mama Bear," Baker said, coming back to normal in voice range. "Are there any message for Papa Bear?"

I struggled my shoulders, as if Baker was there in front of me, and said in the microphone, "No, no messages for Papa Bear, Goldilocks, lest he wants me to embarrass him in front of the top men here and you chaps over there." And with that, I turned off the radio, sighing. I had forgotten how much I missed Rob.

"Ma'am…what are we going to do now?" I had forgotten that Carter was gripping my coat behind me.

I pushed his hand off of me and said, "Well, Carter, we're done with our mission. And unless the Generals here have anything else for us, then we can leave tomorrow night. More to the point, we can sleep, Carter."

"That's good to know, Ma'am," Carter said as he yawned. I yawned with him too, a very infectious action. I never realized how exhausted I was, nor did I bask in the shores of sleep that night.

As I dragged Carter back to the quarters we were assigned and wrote of our long journey here all night, I had thoughts about what we had done and what a great impact this was to have on D-Day's plans. I am glad to know that we had somehow prevented some major victory for the Axis Powers and that we saved, in a small way, these soldiers' lives by uprooting two rotten spies who wanted to destroy us. The next mystery, and it is probably not for me to search for, is to find out where little Marie is. My neck prickles when I think of her, but I can't think of where she could be. There are too many questions and too few answers and leads to follow.

~00~

This early morn was the meeting with the Generals, and needless to say, it is not worth saying what it is about. Yes, they said it was a good day's work and superior thinking, but it is not worth writing how they apologized for their behavior and disbelieving me. I find it disrespect to say others' faults, such as generals', so I will leave it as such as I find it hypocritical. There is no need to shame them further. I have no need of them and they mostly have no need of me. It is of equal feelings and that is disrespect itself.

The captain of this boat says that we are about to land in Germany soon and that we need to prepare ourselves to duck and cover back into the wild darkness. Yes, we are back into imprisonment and Stalag 13, but it's for the better. And hopefully, Hansel and Gretel will receive their fair reward for committing treason against the Allied Forces.

Also, I can hope that I can get Carter awake. He's been sleeping like a log since we set sail and every time I try to wake him up, he swats me. I excuse him for that just because I kept him up all these days, but we need to move and I do mean move when we reach the shores of Germany. Carter can't be tired and groggy when we leave the ship. I need my extra pair of eyes!

The town of Bremerhaven is crowded with Krauts, especially the Gestapo, so the Captain has opted to land in Emden, southwest of Bremerhaven. It is closer to Hammelburg and it'll take a shorter time to reach it. Maybe we can escape those trigger-happy goons…

We have just landed and docked. I hope that we may reach back to Stalag 13 in one piece, for me and Carter both.