Chapter 2
April, 1947
Paris, France
"Sergeant Solo? Sir?"
Napoleon turned to face a saluting private and saluted back.
"Yes, Private Kullen?" He scanned the noisy street behind Kullen, hoping to find a lot of captured street kids, per his recent order.
"Sir... I know you ordered us to round up the local street youths for questioning...but, sir...we just can't get them! They're scattered all around the neighborhood...and when we get some, others show up throwing rocks and bricks! Private Allen is in sickbay getting stitches in his head...sir."
Napoleon almost laughed. He knew how wily these kids were; but the armies supply room was robbed again and Napoleon was determined to make an example of someone...anyone...to end the theft.
"All right, Private...call the rest back." He saluted and dismissed Kullen.
As he walked back to the building the army was using as their headquarters, he couldn't help but smile to himself at the absurdity of his position. The war was over. His regiment was ready to head back home. The only thing keeping them busy was interviewing suspected Nazi collaborators, helping the locals rebuild their city, and keeping crime to a minimum.
On his way to his office, he stopped at the local police station. It was housing a recently convicted Nazi collaborator named Henri Pinet that Napoleon had arrested. His crimes were despicable to say the least. Not only did he turn in Jews from his neighborhood in exchange for gold, he began to bring bogus charges against non-Jews. This resulted in making orphans of the many hundreds of children, and what began the youthful resistance. He was waiting transfer to another prison to serve a 20 year sentence. When Napoleon opened the door, he saw Henri Pinet sitting in a cell on his bunk. The man looked up and scowled when he saw the man responsible for his being behind bars. Napoleon nodded to the officer at the desk, and approached the cell. Henri Pinet stood up. He was a small Frenchman, with dark hair and mustache. He wore plain grey pants and matching shirt. A lot different than he was used to dressing, Napoleon thought.
"Well, Messieur Pinet...you should be on your way soon. I would wish you good luck, but considering what you're charged with..." he whispered, "I hope you get your ass kicked every day." He turned to leave when, in French, Pinet said,
"One day I will be free and will pay you a visit, Sergeant Solo... I promise you this..."
Napoleon just kept walking and left. Just a few steps away and he was at his headquarters. As he opened the door to the building, he backed away as another private was dragging in a young man by the back of his ragged shirt. He was flailing, cursing in French, kicking and spitting. The private pushed him onto a chair. He noticed Sergeant Solo, and snapped to a crisp salute. Napoleon responded.
"What's this all about?" he nodded to the boy, who scowled and said,
"Va au diable!" (Go to hell) The boy pulled his cap tighter onto his head.
"I found out this is the leader of the group that's been stealing" from our mess tent!"
Napoleon stood before the boy. The private stood back.
"Leader, huh?" Napoleon chuckled and to the boy he said, "Tu parles anglais?" The boy looked up, crossed his arms, and grinned.
"Non...tu parles francais?"
"Oui..." Napoleon dragged a chair over and sat in front of him. They spoke in French:
"What's your name?" Napoleon asked.
"General Eisenhower" The boy answered smirking. Napoleon raised his brows, and took a deep breath.
"Son..." He began, trying to remain patient.
"We can do this easy, or hard. One way or another you're going to cooperate. I'm tired, and a little snip like you will not win this battle. Now, our military has given this city more than enough supplies that you don't have to steal from us. We're here to help. Why are you making this so difficult? We are not the enemy."
The boy looked over Napoleon's shoulder as the door opened. Napoleon turned. The boy jumped up. Napoleon quickly grabbed his arm. The boy kicked his shin, punched his stomach, spat at him, and pulled away heading for the opened door. Before he reached it, Napoleon got an arm around his waist.
"Guess it's going to be the hard way!"
He sat down, pulling the struggling boy over his lap. After a few swats and much cursing, Napoleon stood him up. That's when the cap flew off, revealing long brown hair.
'He' was a 'she'.
The Private witnessing everything gasped.
Napoleon moaned, "Oh crap"
...and the young lady, in perfect English and a sarcastic attitude announced, "You hit like a girl."