Chapter 3
Three men appeared on the edge of the glade. They all had rifles, which were casually cradled in their arms, but ready for use in an instant. Actor lowered his hand gun and stepped forward. One of the men did the same.
''Resistance?'' Actor asked.
The man laughed and shook his head. ''You are Americans, yes? But no uniforms. Maybe you are spies like the others you speak of?'' When Actor raised an eyebrow in response to that remark, the man continued. ''We have been watching and listening, as your young comrade was aware,'' he continued, gesturing towards Chief. ''We like to know who comes here and why. These are dangerous times... my friend.''
''It pays to be cautious,'' agreed Actor warily. ''So why are you here now... my friend?''
In answer, the man stepped to one side. Behind him was the young woman they had rescued, wearing Chief's jacket. ''This is Anya, she told us what happened.''
Anya studied the three strangers. She remembered the tall man, he seemed to be their leader. A blond haired man nearby, grinned at her and appeared friendly enough. Finally she looked at the dark haired young man, whose coat she now wore. Without the fear she had shown earlier, Anya walked over to Chief, took off his jacket and handed it back to him. ''Danke, thank you,'' she said quietly. For a moment their eyes held, before she turned on her heel and walked away. The coat in his arms was still warm from her body, as Chief studied her retreating form. She appeared much younger now, maybe only fifteen or sixteen but there was something about her that reminded him of Gina - defiant and determined.
''I am Johann,'' continued the man. ''We are very grateful for your help. This puts us in your debt. We would help you if we can, though storming the compound to rescue your friends, would be an impossible task.''
Actor studied Johann and his companions. His instinct told him they were not the enemy, even though they were German. In fact he felt sure he knew who they were and why they were here. But he was not going to trust strangers with the plan he was formulating. That was the easiest way to get them all captured or killed.
Instead he asked ''Is there a town near here? We know several high ranking officers have visited the factory recently. Do you know where they stay?''
''There is a town about eight miles downriver from here,'' Johann replied. ''The Schloss on the hillside has suitable accommodation for officers. The soldiers and guards are usually housed around the town.''
Actor glanced towards Chief and Goniff. ''We should be able to get what we need there.'' They nodded their agreement. Turning back to Johann, he said ''But time is short, would you have transport we could use, to get us to the outskirts of the town? We can make our own way back.''
''We have no vehicles but we can show you the quickest way to the town.''
GG
Johann and Anya had led the way through the trees for about half a mile. As they entered a clearing, two horses grazed contentedly. They raised their heads as Anya approached them but made no sound. She stroked the nearest as she passed, tapping his nose as he nibbled at her hand. On the edge of the glade, just visible amongst the trees, was a wagon. It had a rounded roof, with a door at one end, reached by a short set of steps. Nearby was a smaller cart.
''Gypsies?'' whispered Goniff.
''Here they are known as Sinti or Roma,'' agreed Actor.
''We go by many names,'' Johann stated. ''But under the present Government we are classed as criminals.''
''Hey Chiefy, that means they're just like us,'' grinned Goniff.
Chief stiffened. ''No they ain't Goniff,'' he snapped, then walked over towards the horses.
Surprised at Chief's reaction, Goniff turned to Actor. ''What's got into 'im?'' he asked.
''I think you'll find Chief has a better understanding than us how these people are treated by their own Government. After all, he has suffered prejudice all his life, just like the Roma,'' pointed out Actor.
''By classing us as criminals and vagrants, the authorities have been given the power to arrest thousands of our people and send them to camps or confine us in ghettos. Several of our men were captured recently and forced to work in the compound where your friends are being held. This is why we know how hard it is to rescue them. To our shame, we hide here in the forest. We cannot leave them here and we have nowhere else to go,'' admitted Johann.
GG
As Anya and the other two men left in one direction, Johann made his way to a track behind the camp and set off towards the town.
''Where are the rest of you group? Women, Children?'' Actor asked.
''They are safe, though Anya doesn't want to remain with them. Her father is among those in the camp below and she finds it difficult to understand that we are unable to do anything to set him free. She is young and headstrong but now she has learnt the hard way, why we want to keep her away from the settlement,'' Johann explained.
The trek to the town was rough going but they managed to keep up a steady pace. Their route took them over a ridge, whereas the road hugged the river bank, adding several miles to the journey. Johann pointed out a lane which would eventually join the main street. He wished them luck and disappeared back into the trees. As Actor, Goniff and Chief headed towards the town, Johann watched them go. He was intrigued by these Americans and how they intended to rescue their friends. They had seemed confident that it was possible to do so.
GG
The main road, that they had avoided earlier, meandered its way through the town and continued to hug the riverbank on its route downstream. Most of the town nestled along the river but away from the water, the land rose sharply with sheer walls of stone exposed here and there. A smaller road zigzagging its way up to a castle perched on a promontory high above, defending the river at this point. Several fishing boats were tied up at a quayside, sheltered from the faster flowing river. This settlement had probably started life as a small fishing village, developing into a much more important town when the castle was built.
However, they were surprised to see a rail track, which ran parallel to the road up to this point. Beyond the town, the river bank upstream wasn't wide enough to accommodate the railway any further, so a terminus had been built with a number of sidings leading inland towards several warehouses not far from the road to the castle. Remembering Goniff description of the coal delivery, Actor decided to investigate the railway sidings. Just as he had thought, one of the sidings led towards a cliff face, where there was an opening into the hillside, large enough to allow trucks to enter. Coal must be brought this far by train, then transferred to trucks and taken through the tunnels. Possibly this led under the shaft that the others had climbed down earlier.
Cautiously they searched the town, discovering warehouses and sheds stocked with a range of 'useful' items. Nor did it take them long to find a vehicle depot and several garages. Since the town had become host to many high ranking officers and officials, it now boasted its own cleaning and repair shops, which were a great resource for uniforms of different sizes, much to Actor's relief. Picking their moment, suitable uniforms were quickly liberated and taken to a deserted building. Once changed, Chief and Goniff were quickly dispatched to acquire a staff car, leaving Actor to don his uniform in peace.
While Actor took on the persona of an SS Officer, a thought flicked through his mind that if the German's won this war he could make quite a life for himself impersonating high-ranking officials. If the Allies won..., well he would have to see how things panned out in Europe or whether there would be richer pickings if he remained in the States. He could always try going straight, he was getting a parole after all, but would that be as much fun? It was the buzz of deceiving people that made it all worthwhile, along with the financial rewards, of course.
GG
Once all was ready to Actor's satisfaction the three men, dressed in German uniforms, left the building they had been hiding in. As they approached the car, ready to drive back towards the camp, Actor glanced around. ''Is Johann still watching?''
''Yep. He's still there. Want me to give him a lift?'' Chief offered.
''No. I think it would be safer if he was not aware of what we are about to do,'' replied Actor, sedately climbing into the back seat.
''Safer? When's it ever that?'' groaned Goniff getting into the front beside Chief.
GG
As they had done several times before, Chief drove the car up to the barrier and waited impassively, while the poor sentry was harangued by Actor. Eventually, the barrier was raised and the car drove smoothly into the compound.
''It appears the Commandant is away at the moment. This must be his underling. Let's hope, when he learns of our surprise inspection of the security for this facility, he will be eager to cooperate,'' remarked Actor as Chief pulled up outside an office building where the Captain and two soldiers waited to greet them.
When Actor stepped from the car, adjusted his gloves and placed his cap pristinely on his head, he was pleased to see the German officer take an involuntary gulp and pull himself upright, at the sight of this SS Major.
Having been informed of the nature of their visit, the Captain was keen to explain, in great detail, how he had recently discovered and detained two men, found in a restricted part of the factory. His main regret (and fear, regarding the SS officer in front of him) was that, so far, their interrogation had not revealed any useful information and the men had remained stubbornly silent. However, after a slight pause whilst the Major appeared to be considering the facts, he was relieved by Actor's next words.
''Your security at this facility is obviously of a high standard and you have been extremely vigilant in apprehending these men,'' Actor praised the German officer. ''I will personally ensure your actions are mentioned when I am next in Berlin. However, due to the imminent threat of sabotage, this is a matter for the SS to deal with. We will take the prisoners. Bring them immediately, I have my car waiting outside. '' Actor ordered, before striding out of the room and leaving the Captain to follow in his wake, quickly issuing orders for the guards to collect the prisoners.
GG
Being doused with a bucket of cold water, brought Garrison sharply back to his senses. He stiffened as one of the guards came towards him, expecting another round of questions and beatings. Dragged to his feet and pushed into the corridor, he almost collided with an equally sodden Casino, still spitting Italian curses at the soldier manhandling him.
Having turned the car around, Chief had been watching for the return of Actor and Goniff. When they emerged from the office, he pulled alongside. Across the compound, two men staggered forward, accompanied by several armed guards. Watching through the rear-view mirror, Chief could see the Germans had certainly wasted no time or effort in their interrogation techniques, judging by the state of their prisoners, who were unceremoniously placed into the rear of the car.
Goniff was shocked by the sight of his team mates but managed to maintain his tight lipped, straight-backed stance as he followed Actor down the steps, moving around him to open the car door.
The Captain offered to send extra guards with them but Actor waved his arm in the direction of the car ''I hardly think they are in any state to escape from the SS,'' he stated, grim faced. ''You will be informed as soon as we have any information. In the meantime I am reassured I can leave the security of this place in your capable hands.'' With that, Actor climbed into the front of the car. Goniff closed the door behind him and then positioned himself as guard over their 'detainees'. Chief drove sedately back through the barrier and away down the road until Actor felt they had travelled far enough away, to be able to pull off the road.