Würzburg, Germany

The normally red roofs of the old city of Würzburg were now white with snow, which had been coming down more and more heavily over the last hour or so. Captain Dietrich stood outside his temporary quarters, located on a hill on the west side of the Main River. The sky was pale-gray and dumping snow as far as the eye could see. Dietrich sighed while pulling a cigarette out of his mouth. The order had come through not that long ago—his convoy wasn't to move until after the blizzard had passed.

The only relief came from learning that Tausemann had indeed been captured by the Allies. Hopefully he got that message to Troy.

Tausemann's wife, Tesse, was relieved as well, but she was also furious. Shortly after receiving the news of Tausemann's capture, Dietrich went to Cologne to make sure Tesse was aware of the situation. She knew of the plan, but she was reluctant to agree to it. Dietrich couldn't blame her, so when it was confirmed Tausemann was in Allied hands, he made taking care of Tesse's needs his first priority when he wasn't on duty.

He wasn't sure what to expect when he arrived at the house in Cologne, but he wasn't surprised to see a very angry look on Tesse's face when she opened the door for him. Her green eyes burned with rage and it was clear she hadn't put much thought in the mousy-brown braid wrapped around her head, as loose strands of hair waved in the bitterly cold winds outside.

"I still cannot believe you talked Johann into this," she said.

"Have you heard the news?" Dietrich asked.

"I received his letter this morning from the Red Cross. Be grateful he made it alive, or I would have the Gestapo arrest you."

Dietrich could feel the daggers of her vengeful gaze piercing his chest. "And then what? They would arrest you, too, and then what would happen to your son?" Dietrich lowered his voice. "I doubt the Nazis will care for the orphan of a traitor."

Tesse's rage dampened a little. "If you are going to be here, at least make yourself useful, Hans."

"That is the other reason why I am here. I promised Johann that I would look after you, and I would like to know what you need."

"Right now, I do not need anything. Franz has had his bath and breakfast, and he is up in his room playing." The angry look returned. "How do you expect me to tell him that his father is gone and nobody knows when he will return?"

"I would assume by now that he is used to his father being gone for extended periods of time."

"Yes, but he was aware that Johann would come back, even though… after the Allies landed in France, that became an unknown."

"Believe me, I am praying very hard that the war ends soon."

"You did not send Johann to get captured because he can end the war. You sent him to get captured because of your fears over the Nazis learning the truth of what you did in North Africa. This was never about ending the war. This was about you, Hans Dietrich. You and you alone."

"Preventing the Sorcery Division from acquiring a very powerful magical artifact will shorten the war. I understand it does not seem like it now, but what Johann did will ensure that there is a link between me and… a very special group of people. People who I trust would break me out of an emergency in a heartbeat. Fast and seemingly impossible rescues are their specialty."

"If this is the same 'group of people' that I have heard you and Johann talking about, I find it hard to believe that you trust them."

"It is hard to believe for me as well, but I do not have many other options at this point."

Tesse's gaze finally softened a little. "I hope, for your sake, Hans, that you have made the right decisions here."

"I hope so, too."

Dietrich continued to think that long after leaving Cologne and returning to his post in Würzburg. He had no way of knowing if he had made all the right decisions. With so many, he was bound to make a wrong one somewhere. He just wasn't sure which.

When the snow was coming down so fast and hard that Dietrich could hardly see across the river, he headed back inside. He was based in an old house situated just north of the Marienberg Fortress. His staff was already inside and hunkered down to await the end of the blizzard as it loomed over the city. As for Dietrich, he went upstairs to his quarters to brew a cup of tea and look out the balcony doors at the snow-covered landscape.

Christmas was fast approaching, but he wasn't feeling particularly festive. Field-Marshal Rommel had always made sure to send a card, a pack of cigarettes—always remembering Dietrich's preferred brand—and sometimes, a box of chocolates. This year, there would be nothing. Tausemann was now an Allied prisoner, and Rommel was dead. If it was possible, Dietrich would visit Tesse and Franz, but having taken away her husband, Dietrich wasn't sure if he should start taking her food and time as well. He doubted that he deserved a seat at her table.

While his tea steeped, Dietrich dragged a chair over to the glass doors, continuing to watch the snow. He wondered if Tesse was right and what he did was selfish. It certainly looked that way. Then again, she didn't see Augenstein attempt to electrocute Sergeant Moffitt, or the cobra pendant. She said that she overheard his and Tausemann's talks about the Rat Patrol, but did she hear of the prophecy? Tausemann knew of the prophecy.

"Remember your prophecy, Hans! You are important! Do not throw your life away! There is hope!" Tausemann's words echoed through Dietrich's head, and he tried to retreat from them. Every little feeling and sensation on the day he learned people were being rounded up on shreds of suspicion for what happened on July 20th was still raw, as if it had occurred just a few hours ago. Dietrich knew nothing of the bomb plot, but he feared that wouldn't matter if the Gestapo decided to pay him a visit.

Johann tried to convince me of hope, Dietrich thought as he stood to check his tea. Hope that this will all end soon. Hope that things will be restored to what they once were, before the Nazis. Hope that I can mend relations with my family. Hope that I can put all of this behind me and move on. Hope that I never have to watch young men barely into their twenties die in my arms again. Hope that I never have to see… Dietrich paused, not sure he wanted to go on, as the faces of the dead began playing in his mind like a film reel in a cinema.

Augsburg, Germany

Moffitt could hardly contain his shock when the head of the Sorcery Division himself told Augenstein not to use the ricin potion. He assumed that Kaschel would have been much more sadistic, but the look on his face when discussing the potion suggested otherwise. His shock was quickly dispelled when Kaschel said they were going to leave Anah in the laboratory during the blizzard.

"I doubt you will earn her cooperation by leaving her here," Moffitt said in German.

"No one told you to speak!" The Hauptsturmführer standing guard next to him swatted his stomach hard with the club.

Pain reverberated through Moffitt and he couldn't get another breath in. Instinctually, he wanted to fall to the floor and wrap his arms around his stomach, but the chains holding him upright wouldn't allow it. His body still tried to curl up, and instead he felt the muscles in his arms and upper back straining to keep him up. He slumped, and the cuffs caught his hands. The cuffs hurt as they slowly began digging into his hands. His arms were shaking. No position he could get in was comfortable.

"Stand up!" The Hauptsturmführer struck him harder this time.

Moffitt tried to slump further, unable to even groan. He wanted to brace himself as he saw the young officer preparing to hit him again.

"Enough!" Kaschel bellowed. He turned to his assistant, also a Hauptsturmführer but looked less likely to start beating people. "Veidt, stand guard while I procure a truck to take this man back with us."

"Yes, sir." The officer called Veidt relieved the guard.

Augenstein glared at Kaschel. "I do not see why we could not just leave the sergeant in one of the cells upstairs, Standartenführer."

"If he freezes to death, you are guaranteed not to have any cooperation from the cobra," Kaschel said. "Dismiss your staff and go on home. Try to stay warm." Kaschel waited until Augenstein and his men left, then turned to Veidt. "I should be back in about fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir." Veidt stood stiffly with his hands behind his back until Kaschel had gone, then turned to Moffitt. "You speak very good German."

Moffitt didn't respond. Soreness pulsed through his stomach, but his ability to breathe was steadily coming back.

"At least that was all that was done to you."

Moffitt glared at him, muttering, "Why are you so chatty?"

Veidt glanced around, then spoke in English. "I am going to do everything in my power to help you. There is a place up north, in the town of Hammelburg, where you can be sheltered."

This seemed too easy. "How do I know that I can trust you? You're not exactly wearing a non-threatening uniform."

Veidt's expression sobered. "I know. I am in a very risky position, but it has been this way for about four years. I… am technically a member of the SS, yes, but in name only. The short version of my story is that I made some terrible choices, and I have been working to make things right."

Moffitt was conflicted. On one hand, help could come from strange places sometimes, but on the other, it could be a very elaborate ruse to get him to spill information about the pendant. He looked in Veidt's eyes, seeing a somewhat pained expression in them.

"If you do not trust me, that is alright. I understand." Veidt looked away.

Moffitt could hear Troy's voice in his head. He's trying to get your guard down. He's playing with you to make you feel sad and sympathize. Moffitt let out a quiet sigh. What if he's telling the truth? What choice do I have?

Kaschel returned a few minutes later, holding a pair of handcuffs. "Augenstein left the keys on the workbench. Take the prisoner down and cuff him."

"Yes, sir." Veidt walked over to the workbench.

Moffitt watched him, and Kaschel. If I can get Anah out, I can probably make a run for it. I have no clue how many guards are outside. Will that matter if I have Anah? It was worth a try. Moffitt waited for Veidt to return with the keys. First, Veidt unlocked Moffitt's left wrist—then a rush of adrenaline flooded Moffitt's body. He tried grabbing Veidt in order to use him as a shield in case Kaschel tried to shoot at him, but instead of shooting, Kaschel stormed over.

"That was very foolish," Kaschel said, before driving his fist into Moffitt's solar plexus. Pain and weakness swiftly overtook the adrenaline, and Moffitt found himself almost on the floor, his right wrist still chained.

Veidt brushed himself off, a stunned look on his face.

"Are you alright?" Kaschel asked.

"A bit shaken, but alright," Veidt replied. "I was not expecting him to do that."

"Neither was I. I was under the impression that two prior hits in the stomach would have taught him a lesson. Apparently, he needed a third." Kaschel stood in front of Moffitt. "You are bold, I will give you that. Bold and quite strong. That will come as a disadvantage, because it means you can withstand more torture. I prefer to get things done quickly and efficiently. Your strength with merely prolong things, unless you are intelligent enough to give up and spare yourself from potentially permanent harm."

"Then I suppose I will hold out as long as I possibly can," Moffitt grunted.

"Sergeant, I am giving you a chance to avoid what Augenstein has in store for you. I have seen his ricin potion in action. You do not want to experience it. He has an antidote, but it has never been tested, so there is no guarantee that it would work. Frankly, regular dehydration would be preferable. Starvation would be preferable. You would be a complete fool to think that you can hold up against it."

"Try me."

"If you think you are scaring me with your defiance, you are wrong. I am actually more concerned for you than scared."

"If you are trying to scare me into giving away information and pretending that you care, it will not work."

Kaschel looked genuinely exasperated. "Very well, but I really hope Augenstein does not invite me to watch when he gives you the potion." He stayed in front of Moffitt while Veidt took his other wrist down from the chain.

Moffitt suddenly felt a cold rush of blood down both arms. The shakiness was difficult to control, and he involuntarily fell to his knees while Veidt was restraining him.

"Veidt, you will accompany the driver to our base. Make sure our guest here is secured in a cell, and has food and water. If he attempts to starve himself, the feeding tube is in the infirmary."

Moffitt caught Veidt grimacing in the corner of his eye after Kaschel turned to leave. "Yes, sir." Once Kaschel was out of earshot, Veidt whispered, "I will not put a tube down your throat, I promise."

"You better."

"Kaschel will, though, and he will not be gentle."

Veidt walked Moffitt up the stairs into a long hallway. A shudder unrelated to his strain passed through Moffitt as they headed toward the main doors. The building appeared to be an old hospital that the SS converted into a laboratory for their barbaric experiments. Rooms for patients had been converted into holding cells for prisoners. Moffitt could hear groaning and crying coming from some of the rooms, then leaned over to whisper, "If they keep people here, why did your superior order me taken somewhere else?"

"I will explain in the truck," Veidt whispered back.

Snow was already coming down in big clumps as the two left the building. Moffitt's shivering worsened when he realized his coat had been left in the laboratory. Just another reason to miss the desert, he thought. Hunching to try to stay warm did nothing to help the sore feeling in his stomach, and every muscle in his arms and back felt as though they had been stretched well beyond what was humanly possible.

His cold and pain were quickly replaced with shock when he felt something being draped over his shoulders. Veidt had placed his black overcoat on his back. "I know it is not much, and I will have to take it from you when we get to the base, but it is the best I can do for now."

Moffitt sighed. "Alright. What is Kaschel's real reason for taking me away? He isn't actually a good man, is he?"

"Kaschel is… complicated. Then again, we all are. His real reasoning for taking you away is to prevent Augenstein from using you for revenge against an army captain named Dietrich."

"Dietrich. Hans Dietrich?"

"Yes. Augenstein is still quite bitter about what happened in North Africa. I only know what happened through hearing his story and reading reports from his men, but… you were there, were you not?"

Moffitt bit his tongue as he thought. "Yes, well… that, too, is complicated."

"He mentioned that he electrocuted you, but your cobra companion kept you alive."

"She did." Moffitt glared at Veidt. "No, I'm not going to tell you how."

"I was not going to ask."

"Why does Kaschel care?"

"He feels that learning the secrets of your cobra are more important than dealing with a traitor. Make no mistake, Kaschel is very tame compared to most in the SS, but his duty is to the Sorcery Division. Do not try to take advantage of any kindness he shows you."

"It's certainly a unique approach." Moffitt's expression softened a little. Perhaps he could trust this man. I don't have any other options. He hasn't been a brute so far. Then again, this could all be fake. But… he had no reason to give me his coat. "How exactly would you get me out?"

"A bit of play-acting. That is my main approach with getting prisoners out, and it works every time."

"And Kaschel has not suspected you of being involved with prisoners escaping?"

"Not as far as I know. Then again, if he did suspect me, I would have been shot by now. Anyway, I think this time around, we can use a good old-fashioned feigned illness trick. You pretend to be sick or hurt, I take you out of your cell, you escape through the back door that leads out to a cemetery—"

"Excuse me?"

"Yes. A cemetery." Veidt looked down at his boots. "It was made for test subjects who… did not survive."

"Where do I go from there?"

"The woods surrounded the base. I will be following you on my motorcycle. Once we are out of sight, I will grab you, and we will be on our way to Hammelburg."

"I must ask, where exactly are we?"

"Augsburg. Hammelburg is four hours north of here."

Moffitt gave Veidt a curious look. "You can be away for that long without Kaschel thinking something is wrong?"

"He most likely will not be there. It depends on the day. With the weather getting bad, I want to try for tonight."

"With how bad the snow will be?"

Veidt shrugged. "It is not the worst weather I have driven in."

"Also, did you say 'motorcycle?'"

"Yes. It is my primary mode of transportation."

"Do you have a sidecar, then?"

"No. You will have to hold onto me when we go. For four hours."

"And, you are certain this will work?"

"I would not have discussed it with you if I did not believe it would work."

Well, again, it's not like I have another option, beyond waiting for Troy. I doubt he knows where I am. It wasn't that Moffitt doubted Troy's ability to find him. It was that Augsburg was hundreds of miles away from the front and he wasn't sure if Troy and the others could have even reached him before Augenstein lost his patience and decided to give him the ricin potion.

When they arrived at the base, Veidt quickly took the jacket back before the truck's ramp was lowered. He then guided Moffitt out and the two headed toward a concrete structure. Inside, Kaschel approached them, holding a large ring of keys. "Put him in cell four," Kaschel ordered, handing Veidt the keys.

"Yes, sir."

The cell Moffitt was placed in was very small. At least, he noted, they had the decency to provide a cot and toilet, but naturally, he would have no privacy when it came to sleep or relieving himself. The cuffs were removed after the cell was closed, then Veidt placed his head up to the bars to whisper, "I will be back to give you food and water in a few minutes."

Moffitt nodded, then lowered himself onto the cot. It was uncomfortable, but at least he could lie down normally. Unconsciously, he reached into his shirt, expecting to find the cobra pendant. Not finding it brought him back to reality. Damn it, he thought.

He hoped Anah was alright. She hadn't said a word when he had been left alone with Veidt. Was she angry that Veidt was only able to rescue Moffitt? Had she given up? Why had she been so quiet when Augenstein threatened to give him the ricin potion? He expected her to argue, to protect him. After all, he was part of Dietrich's prophecy. Were her secrets and abilities so dangerous in the wrong hands that it would have been better for her to remain silent and let him die?

What would happen when he escaped? Would Augenstein claim that he was dead in order to convince Anah to talk? Would she know better, or did Augenstein's restraints restrict her telepathy and clairvoyance? He hoped not, but he had no way of knowing. When I get out of here, I have to rescue her.

Veidt came by a few minutes later holding a tray and a glass of water. On the tray was a small bowl of a thin potato soup and a slice of bread. "Here," Veidt said. He looked around to make sure they were alone before saying in English, "I am sorry I could not get more for you."

"Don't bother apologizing," Moffitt replied. "I'm not particularly hungry anyway."

"I would rather you have a full stomach on such a long trip." Veidt slid a key into the cell lock. "You will not attack me again, will you?"

"No."

"Alright." Veidt turned the key, and opened the door to enter the cell. He handed Moffitt the tray, and whispered, "You will be on your own for part of the plan."

"What changed?"

"Kaschel ordered me to go home and wait out the storm. If I come back and you escape, it will look suspicious, but I will be waiting for you at the northernmost edge of the woods, by the Lech River. When you escape, head northeast at first, but once you cannot hear the guards, head west toward the river, and keep following it until you see me."

"Are you sure this is going to work?"

"What was your unit again? The 'Rat Patrol?'"

"Yes."

"I have heard Augenstein say you were fairly well-known for some wild stunts."

Moffitt couldn't argue with that. "Yes, a lot of what we did was quite daring and shouldn't have worked."

"I understand this seems risky for you, but if you stay, there are a lot of horrific things in store for you."

Moffitt let out another heavy sigh. "Well, if I'm caught and this turns out to be a trap, what's the worst that can happen?"

"You are still free to back out."

"I will take the risk. Might I ask where we are going in Hammelburg?"

Veidt opened his mouth, then closed it. "No, you would not believe me until I show you."

"Tell me."

"Well…" Veidt worked his jaw as he thought. "I am taking you to Luft-Stalag 13, a prisoner-of-war camp."

Moffitt raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I will show you. Just trust me."

At that point, Moffitt wasn't sure he had a choice.

Hammelburg, Germany

When the snow started coming down heavily, Colonel Klink gave the order for all prisoners to be confined to barracks. He still kept some guards out in case someone got wise and tried taking advantage of the weather to escape, but Carter was certain not even the most desperate POW would try to escape in this weather.

It became so bad that radio messages were garbled. Hogan's section of the Underground was completely isolated. For the next couple of hours, Barracks Two was silent, as the men focused on small recreational activities. LeBeau was making a soup out of ingredients pilfered from Klink's kitchen, Kinch was reading, Newkirk was playing gin with Corporal Atkins, and Carter was sitting still for Sergeant Olsen's graphite portrait of him.

"I didn't even know you drew, Olsen," Carter said when the silence became too much.

"Haven't been around much to show it off," Olsen replied, not looking up from his easel. "I'm kinda glad for this weather, because it means I'm allowed back in the house."

"You're always welcome, Olsen," Kinch said from his bunk, "Hogan just has a lot for you to do."

"True, but sometimes it's nice to take a break—can you turn your head slightly to the right, Carter? Toward the window?"

Carter looked toward the window just in time to see a huge black shape landing on the windowsill outside, obscured by the frost. "We got a visitor," he said. "Mind if I—"

"Go ahead. Looks like a raven." Olsen set his pencil down and went with Carter to open the window. Both men were hit in the face with snow and cold wind. Sure enough, a raven with a blue ribbon around its body was perched on the windowsill. It pulled an envelope from the ribbon with its beak, and handed it gently to Carter.

"Thanks." Carter turned over the envelope, then looked back at the raven. "Go find somewhere warm to hunker down, buddy. It's too cold and windy for anyone to be outside." He stroked the bird's feathers, then watched it fly away before closing the window.

"Who sent it?" Olsen asked.

Carter opened the envelope. "Veidt did." He turned toward Hogan's office door. "Hey, Colonel!"

The door opened, and Hogan stepped out into the barracks. "What's up, Carter?"

"Letter from Veidt. He says he's got a 'guest' coming to stay at Stalag 13."

"A guest?" Hogan motioned for Carter to show him the letter. "What kind of guest?"

"He wouldn't say."

"Probably someone really important, then. Did he say how he's coming in?"

"Tree stump tunnel, sir."

"Alright. When?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight. Guess we better get a hotel room ready fast."

"I hope it's a bird, sir," Newkirk said, glancing up from his gin game.

"Well, if this is coming from Veidt, they're probably a magical bird," Kinch said.

"Or maybe even a literal bird," Olsen added, flapping his arms.

"Who or whatever it is Veidt's bringing will be treated with respect," Hogan said. "No funny business with the guest, and that's an order."

Several voices said, "Yes, Colonel," aside from LeBeau, who said, "I hope they're French."