Chapter 2

Moffitt was quiet on the ride back to the cave; Troy backed the jeep up along side the other and shut it off. Looking over at him, "You're quiet, something bothering you?

"Michaela, I just hope she stays put. Once she sets her mind on something, there's no changing it."

"Come on, let's radio Andrews." Troy cocked his head at Moffitt and smiled; Yeah, sounds like you too.

Hitch and Tully looked as the sergeants walked into the main chamber of the cave. "Did ya find her, Sarge?" asked Tully as he was putting a fresh matchstick in his mouth.

"Yeah, we found her. Now we'll call in and get our orders," said Troy as he started to walk over to the radio.

"I'll save you the trouble. The major radioed while you were gone," said Tully and handed Troy the decoded message.

Bring Target to El Berin. Troy showed the message to Moffitt; ''They want the target in El Berin. So now we need to find a way to get her out."

"No one in Al Aqubar has seen our faces. We might be able to sneak in, find a couple of uniforms, get to Michaela and escort her out of town."

"So we need uniforms, papers, and a car. Not asking for much are you?" asked Troy as he sat down on a jerry can.

"Should be a piece of cake," Moffitt laughed and poured himself a cup of water to make tea.

"Moffitt, Al Aqubar didn't look like it would have spare uniforms lying around."

"Troy, they do have uniforms walking around the town, don't they?" Moffitt had a smug look on his face.

"Now you're thinking, where do you think we could find a couple of uniforms?"

"Le Morrell, two go in for a drink and decide to take a nap for a long time. Maurice would be glad to help rid the town of a couple of Germans," Moffitt said while sipping his tea.

"Okay, we sneak in, clobber two Germans, change uniforms, grab your cousin, and leave town." Right, piece of cake thought Troy as he lit a cigarette and smiled. "We'll need a driver to make it look legit. Hitch, you come with us. Tully, stay close to the radio, in case HQ calls back."

They drove as close as they dared with the jeep and hiding it in the same wadi they had earlier that day. The three men were able to get into town unseen just after sundown. Hitch made his way to the motor pool to find their ride out of town. Troy and Moffitt went to the café. Going through the alley door, they could hear Germans talking. Moffitt parted the curtain just enough to see and get Maurice's attention. Luck was on their side, there were only two in the cafe.

Moffitt ordered in German for one of the soldiers to come to the alley door. The bigger looking one of the two, stood up and moved to the curtain; turned, gave his buddy a shrug and went through the curtain. Surprised by seeing an englander on the other side, he barely had time to open his mouth before Troy hit him on the back of the head. The pair let him down easy and pulled him back away from the curtain. Moffitt then called for the other German soldier; he also met the same fate as the first. Maurice then came through the curtain. Seeing what Jack was up to, he helped undress the two Germans.

"Maurice, where can we hide the bodies?" Moffitt asked him while putting on the German's jacket.

"Come, this way, I have a room back here, once you are gone, I'll have some friends help me dispose of the trash," said Maurice as he glanced back through the curtain of the café.

"Good, we're here to get Michaela. I won't tell you anymore," Moffitt told him and turned his attention to check the pockets of the uniforms for papers. "Hey, we couldn't of planned this any better. These two were to leave shortly to deliver supplies to an outpost."

At the same time Troy heard a truck pull up outside the café. Looking at Maurice, he nodded.

"You stay here, I will go see," Maurice abruptly told him.

Hitch walked into the café and over to the bar. "Are you Maurice? I'm a friend of Moffitt's."

"Yes, wait here, they'll be down shortly." Maurice moved behind the bar.

Upstairs Moffitt listened closely at Michaela's door. Hearing nothing he opened it only to be looking into the barrel of a small hand pistol.

"Michaela, it's me Jack." He was relieved when she put the pistol down. "Where did you get that?"

"It was my father's, I heard the noise come from below. I was afraid that...'' Michaela put the pistol back in her knapsack. With her back turned to Jack she'd be able to hide her expression of fear.

"We got the orders, you're to return to El Berin with us. There's a truck outside waiting to drive us out of the village. Troy is downstairs watching for any unexpected guests."

"Let me grab a few things. Maurice and Marie, I'll have to tell them..."

Jack stopped her, "No, Maurice knows you are going with us, he doesn't know where. We need to keep it that way." Jack picked up her knapsack, saw her journal on the table and placed it inside. "I see father gave you one too."

Michaela threw a change of clothes in a small bag. "I'm ready. How do you get me out, without Gruber seeing us?"

"Just trust your friendly neighborhood rats," Jack smiled and lead the way down the stairs.

Troy was standing at the front door, "It's clear. Hitch, go get the truck started. Michaela, once you get inside the truck, lie down on the floor. Whatever happens stay put and keep quiet."

Michaela held her knapsack close and nodded her head. Troy looked around again, the street remained clear. Moffitt checked the windows across the street. Lights were on, but no sign of anyone looking out. Troy climbed into the back. Both he and Jack helped Michaela up. Once in the truck, she laid down on the floor where she was told to. Troy threw a tarp over her that he found and stacked some small crates close to the tarp. Done he tapped Hitch on the shoulder and the truck began to move. At the gate the truck was stopped by the guard.

Moffitt showed the guard the papers he'd found. The guard started to walk around the back, when an alarm sounded and angry shouts were being heard. The guard pointed his rifle at Moffitt, Troy pulled his pistol and shot towards the guard. More shots were being fired at the truck, pinging off the metal. Troy yelled at Hitch, "Shake it." Moffitt threw a grenade at the guard shack. Moving further from town, the gun shots died down. It seemed like an hour before the tarp was taken off Michaela.

"Stay put, you're less of a target that way." Troy told her before turning away to watch out the back.

"Do you guys always make such a dramatic get away?" Michaela settled back down as she was told.

The truck continued on meeting no trouble. Hitch turned the truck into the wadi and brought the vehicle to a halt. Troy yelled at Moffitt, "get the jeep and follow us back to the cave. Hitch move out." The truck moved on again. Michaela could see that Jack was close behind them. She leaned agaisnt the side of a crate and closed her eyes. She opened them when the truck jerked to a stop and felt it backing up. Looking up at Troy, he smiled at her, that's when she saw the cave entrance. Moving in further she noted how big it was.

Troy put his hand down to help her up. "It's not the Ritz, but it'll do for now." At the back of the truck, Troy jumped down, then helped Michaela down, holding onto her waist a little longer than he should. Hearing Moffitt's jeep coming in, he let loose of Michaela's waist, took her hand and pulled her over to the fire. "Tully, any more word from HQ?"

"No, Sarge, who's this? The target?" asked Tully. Michaela straighten to her full height and bristled at the word.

"Tully, this is Michaela Mercer, Moffitt's cousin. Michaela, this is Tully Pettigrew and that character with the German helmet on is Mark Hitchcock." Troy finished introducing her to the two privates.

Tully stuck his hand out, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I just made it."

Michaela took his hand and smiled, "Yes, I would."

Moffitt came up and took hold of her elbow. "Would you like me to show you the sights?"

"No, I'll just stay here." Michaela took a sip from the cup that was handed to her and tried very hard not to choke. She turned to look at Jack, who was holding back a laugh. Tully left the cousins and went to check out the truck. Michaela put her hand up to her mouth to smother a laugh. "This is awful, why didn't you warn me? Did he say he just made it?"

"Yes. He is one hell of man to have around, but don't let him make the coffee," Jack took the cup out of her hand. "I'll make us some tea."

"So, Jack, what is the plan now? What am I to do?" She crossed her arms acrossed her chest.

Troy interrupted them. "We're to bring you to El Berin." Just as he said that a crackling noise came from the back of one of the jeeps. Troy walked over to the jeep and responded back to HQ. Michaela and Moffitt could only hear what Sam was saying. "Roger, over and out." Troy turned back to them; "First light we head to El Berin. Hitch, got anything to eat?"

"Coming up, sarge." Hitch began to dig in the back of the jeep and brought out several tins of food.

"Hope you're hungry, miss." He walked over to the fire and began to work on making something for them to eat. Michaela shot Jack a questionable look. Laughing Jack walked away to the smaller chamber.

Hitch opened up tins of beef stew, biscuits, and found peaches for desert.

After the group had finished eating, Michaela offered to help with cleaning up. "Thanks but, we can manage." Tully stood up and took her tin plate. He began to wonder; how much trouble having a female along was going to be.

Troy began to give the men their assignments for the night.

Michaela spoke, "What about me? I can handle a rifle."

"No, you get in the back of the truck and sleep," Troy ordered.

Michaela was about to protest when Jack took her by the elbow and guided her over to the truck.

"First rule; Troy gives the orders, we all follow them. You have your order." Jack helped her up into the back of the truck.

"Okay, but I don't have to like it," she responded back. Laying down, she listen to the sound of the water echoing through the chamber. Jack came back an hour later to check on her and found her asleep.

Morning seem to come too soon for Michaela, she laid there for awhile listening to the echo of the water, when a voice broke the silence.

"Morning, how did you sleep last night?" Troy held his hands out to help her down.

"I slept well. The sound in this cave is amazing, so relaxing." Michaela jumped down to the ground.

Troy continued to hold onto her waist. Putting her hands on his shoulders, Sam leaned into kiss her, then just as their lips touched, he heard the voices of the other men getting louder, as they came back into the main cave from getting fresh water. "Come on, lets get some coffee."

"Who made it?" asked Micaela as she did her best to hide the disappointment of the interuppted kiss.

"Hitch." Troy said as he took her by the elbow, and lead her over to the others. As they gathered round the fire to eat breakfast, Troy told the group that they would leave the truck here and go into El Berin with the jeeps. When they had finished eating, Michaela helped clean up while Hitch and Tully gathered up the equipment and packed everything into the jeeps.

"Michaela, if trouble starts, get your head down and stay down," Jack told her as they walked over to the jeeps.

"Jack, I am able to fire a rifle," she told him as she climbed into the front seat of his jeep.

"I know, just do what your told. We need to get you to El Berin safe and in one piece."

"Always the big brother, is it ever going to stop?" Michaela queried trying to hide her irritation.

The jeeps' engines came to life and soon they were out in sunlight. The trip to El Berin was uneventful much to the relief of the men. As they pulled up in front of HQ, Troy jumped out and motioned for Michaela to follow him, Jack was right behind them. Hitch and Tully headed for the motor pool to get the jeeps serviced for the next trip out.

Major Andrews' aide, Lieutenant Locke stood as the trio came in. "Sergeant Troy, the major has been waiting for you," and opened the door to the major's office.

Major Andrews was on the phone, "They just stepped into my office. Yes, sir, I understand, sir." Andrews hung the phone up. "Excellent, Troy, good work in finding the target so fast."

Michaela bristled at that word again. "I am not a target, Major."

"Yes, you're quite right Miss Mercer. Now if you'll be seated I will get on with the briefing. Time is short and we need to get you going on this assignment. Miss Mercer, do you know what the Isis Knot is and do you know what it looks like?"

"Yes," she replied., "It's an amulet, supposedly made by Isis to protect her and Osiris." Michaela took a pencil and paper fron her knapsack. "Here it looks simular to Ankh, but the arms are down, looking like a person. The knot or tiet means welfare or life, it seemed to represent the idea of enternal life or resurrection."

"Word is Hitler wants it. We need you to find it before the Germans do," the major said as he sat back down in his chair.

"You've got to be kidding. The Isis temple was dug up years ago, and is now under a pile of rocks." Michaela looked over at Jack for support.

"Major, she's right. Before the roof caved in, the temple was clear of any artifacts. I know this for a fact as I was in the temple when the roof began to cave in, sir."

"Okay, so where is it now?" Major Andrews asked.

"Story is that it was taken by a Arab chieftain," Michaela was turning the pages of her journal. "Here, he took the amulet and went to El Guettan. He soon discovered that the amulet did not provide him the protection he thought it would and hid it in a cave. There is an old man not far from Al Aqubar... he might be able to tell me more."

"Troy, go to supply and get the equipment and supplies you will need. What about this cave you were in? Will it do for a hideout? A supply cache?"

"Yes, sir, it is large and has a supply of fresh water."

The Major wrote some notes down on a piece a paper and handed it to Troy. "This will get you what you need and an extra jeep to haul it with. You might need it too if one of the others breaks down. You and Moffitt head to supply and get outfitted while I brief Miss Mercer."

"Yes, sir." Both men stood and saluted the major and left the room. The room was so quiet, Michaela thought she could of heard a pin drop.

"Now Miss Mercer, you will work with Troy and his men. Find out if there is more to this Isis Knot. Let's see how much you can find in a week."

"A week? Major, you've got to be kidding." Even Jack and I working together couldn't do it in a week. "Major, there is a great possibility that the Knot is not even real."

"Look, Miss Mercer, time is not on our side I'm afraid. The Allies have confidence that you can do the job. You came highly recommended by the Museum of Cairo." She was surprised to hear that as the museum was always giving her mundain jobs that a child could do. The major was about to continue when his aide opened the door.

"Excuse me, Major, Sergeant Troy is wanting to see you."

"Let him..." the major started to say as Troy followed Locke into the office.

At that point Troy came through the door. "Major..."

"Troy, sit down. I was just telling Miss Mercer here what she is to do. Take her back to that cave, then let her get to work."

"Major, may I ask, what else are we to do, sir?" He was becoming nervous as to what he was about to hear.

"Miss Mercer has her assignment. You and your men are to keep tabs on her, be her shadows without getting in her way. Miss Mercer, if Sergeant Troy feels things are getting to hot for you, he has orders to pull you out and back to safety. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," Michaela said looking over at Troy.

"You will follow any order given to you by Troy," the major pointing his finger at them both. Michaela looked back over at Troy who did not look at all happy. "Yes, Major," the two responded in unison.

"Okay, you got your orders. Head out at first light tomorrow morning. Stop on the way out and get directions to Miss Mercer's quarters from Locke." The major left the room closing the door behind him.

"Well, let's get you over to your room." Taking her arm, Troy lead the way out of the office.

Upon arrival at her quarters, Troy opened the door and went inside. "Looks like all the comforts of home." He walked over to bunk and sat down on it,. "You okay? You're very quiet."

"Yeah, Sam, I'm unsure how to go about looking for this tiet." She wrapped her arms around herself, as if she were cold. "I mean if there were more clues. Finding treasure is not easy even with a map, that has an X that marks the spot."

"Hey," Troy jumped up went over to her, put his arms around her and held on. "You won't be alone." We'll always be close by. He was about to kiss her- neither one of them heard the door open.

"What's going on here?" Moffitt asked coming in the door, slamming it shut.

"Michaela is scared. I was just telling her that she wouldn't be alone." Troy let go of Michaela.

Jack walked across the room, Michaela lowered her head to avoid his eyes. Taking her chin in his hand, he said, "Don't worry, I'll be there behind you, we all will be. Let's go get something to eat; relax a little, come back here, and get some sleep. What do you say?'"

"Sounds good." Michaela said and began to relax alittle.

Taking her arm Jack lead the way out the door with Sam right behind them. The café they went to was quiet, not many soldiers hanging around. Jack held out a chair for Michaela. She had no sooner sat down when a female voice came across the room.

"Sam, when did you get back?" The woman walked over to their table giving Sam a kiss.

Sam pulled away catching his breath. "Vixen, we just got in, would you like to join us?" Troy held out a chair for her across from Michaela. "Vixen, this is Moffitt's cousin, Michaela Mercer, Michaela this is Sergeant Victoria Moore."

"How do you do, Victoria." Michaela held her hand out to Vixen to shake. Vixen returned the greeting.

"Miss Mercer..."

"Call me Michaela."

"Michaela, so you are Jack's cousin. He never told me about you."

She looked over at Jack and gave him a sly smile. "Yes, I am what you might call the black sheep of the family."

"Don't listen to her Victoria, she just likes to think that." Jack took Michaela's hand and squeezed it a little too tight. She slipped her hand free and continued to smile. She glanced over at Troy, but he was watching Vixen. The four continued with their supper and drinks. It seemed Vixen took over the conversation.

Michaela glanced at her watch, "Well, this has been a lovely evening, Jack if you don't mind, I am going to turn in." Standing up she told Vixen. "It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope we get a chance to talk again soon, without the men around."

"Yes, that would be nice. Good to meet you, Michaela." Victoria smiled at her.

Jack and Sam stood up as Michaela rose to leave the café. Jack placed a hand on her elbow, "Michaela, let me walk you back."

At her quarters, Michaela stopped, "Is Victoria Troy's girlfriend?"

"They have been seeing each other for a few weeks." Jack opened the door for her.

Michaela went in, "Good night Jack." Why should I feel jealous of her, she thought, Sam never told me that he loved me and that I was the only one for him.

Jack walked back to his quarters. Something was bothering him, he could not put a finger on it. Michaela was acting strange and so was Troy around her. She only got this distant once before... his thoughts were interrupted when Tully and Hitch caught up to him. "You two are back early."

"Yeah, not much happening tonight. We thought it would be a good idea to hit the sack early tonight." Tully spit out a chewed up matchstick. Going inside their quarters, the three undressed for the night. The privates were soon under their blankets. Moffitt sat on the edge of his bunk, still trying to figure out what was going on with Michaela. Troy came in and threw his hat on the chair next to his bunk and was whistling.

"Good supper, wasn't it?" Troy began to undress for bed. "You're quiet." Troy threw the blanket back on his bunk and sat down.

Moffitt just nodded his head as Troy turned out the lamp and laid down. Kid, what are you hiding? What won't you tell me. They always had told each other everything, till after that weekend when William was with me, that week on holiday. Maybe that's when you stopped telling me everything.