Change of Ways

by The Ravenwolf

Set directly after the the events of the Rat Patrol's final episode, the story follows Dietrich's path into an unsteady future.

14. Major Trouble

"Irgendwo im fremden Land

ziehen wir durch Stein und Sand.

Fern von zu Haus und vogelfrei,

hundert Mann, und ich bin dabei."

Freddy Quinn, [100 Mann und ein Befehl]

---

Outside the tent, no direct source for the commotion is visible. While the Rats scatter to survey the surroundings and find the source of the commotion themselves, Dietrich stops a young private and questions him: "What is going on, private?" "They spotted a convoy approaching us, Captain", the young American answers the officer instantly. "Do we know which side?", the German inquires, "Axis or Allies?" "They're British, Sir", comes the answer and Dietrich dismisses him after a brief thanks and salute. After capturing Marcello's convoy, he has been wondering, when the Tenente's pursuers would finally make their appearance.

Wishing dearly, he would still possess his binoculars which have been lost to him in General König's estate, as he has never had the chance to retrieve them, the German Captain walks to the edge of the camp to squint in the direction of the approaching vehicles. His estimate of the moving sand clouds' location and velocity let him deduce an arrival in three to five minutes. With no reason to stay out here, he turns towards Captain Boggs' tent to check, if other officers have already informed their superior officer on the source of the commotion. Indeed, as he enters the tent, Lieutenant Carlos is already reporting the sighting of the British convoy to which Dietrich adds his estimate of their arrival. "This place almost feels as crowded as the Oklahoma cattle market", Carlos is commenting with a smirk, "with the Brits joining before General Atkins and his guys have even left with the Germans and Italians." "I will inform Doctor Andrews that they should be prepared for potential wounded, if they have indeed followed Lieutenant Marcello's troops since Tobruk", Dietrich suggests and Boggs gratefully sends him on this errand.

Doctor Andrews is not happy to have his breakfast interrupted for a potential treatment of even more wounded soldiers with barely enough room for the currently treated ones, but the American doctor is grateful to receive the prescient warning. Dietrich takes the time to extract the solemn promise from Ari that he will stay in the sickbay and behave for the time being in exchange for being allowed to visit the Jeeps later. Deciding to make this part of private Hitchcock's punishment for the moment with Corporal Gottschlich in sickbay himself, Dietrich steps up to Andrews to offer his assistance if necessary. "I am far more convinced by this offer after I heard that you successfully played the role of a medic to escape from one of our field hospitals and saved several lives in the process", Andrews smiles at the young Captain who scowls slightly. "I am not a notorious liar or impostor, Doctor." "That is for sure not what I meant, Captain. Let's go!", Andrews replies good-naturedly.

As the Brits move into the camp, General Atkins and Captain Boggs turn toward a British Lieutenant who introduces himself as Lieutenant Westwood. When Dietrich approaches, the man reports that they have several wounded after a stand-off against a German battalion yesterday which has cost them almost all their armored vehicles and most of their tanks. "General, Captain. We ask you for medical aid for our wounded soldiers", Westwood pleads with the cool aloofness of a British officer. "Call the nurses and ready everything in the sickbay! I will help organize the soldiers to get the wounded transported to you for treatment as quickly as possible", Dietrich orders Andrews who leaves immediately silently blessing the German for his foresight which has given them a head start for this situation.

Troy, Moffit, Hitch and Tully close in on Dietrich, while the German speaks with Boggs about the quick distribution of the wounded to receive treatment. "Gentlemen", Dietrich addresses them with a serious and concerned expression, "I have a special assignment for you. Sergeant Moffit and Private Hitchcock, take care of moving the wounded from the first truck to sickbay. Sergeant Troy and Private Pettigrew, you do the same for the second truck. One of your team each has medical knowledge to assess the most grievously wounded to be transported first. Call upon soldiers to help with carrying the injured men!" With urgency in his voice, the German officer continues: "I have already alerted Doctor Andrews. He will be waiting for you. I will look after the third truck myself." With a quick salute, Dietrich turns to leave without giving the Rats time for questions or complaints. "You heard him. Let's shake it!", Troy bellows and strides in front of Tully toward the second truck where the sight and smell of more than a dozen battle-wounded British soldiers greet the pair. As Troy narrows his eyes at the sight, Tully remains his usual unperturbed self and starts checking the severity of the first soldier's wounds.

Meanwhile, Moffit and Hitch turn toward the first truck which holds the most grievously wounded soldiers and they quickly call for several of the enlisted men in the camp to help with the transport. Moffit turns to provide first aid for the worst cases, while Hitch busies himself with preparing stretchers until their helping forces arrive. As the first truck is binding most of the men power currently available, only a few of the Americans follow Tully and Troy, while Dietrich currently approaches the last truck on his own. His plan is to call for soldiers to help with the transport to sickbay, as soon as he has gained an overview of the situation, the number and degree of injury of the wounded. As the Captain climbs onto the truck bed, a clinical smell of disinfectants mixed with sweat and blood strikes his nose. Counting a dozen soldiers who appear fast asleep, he can make out a figure at a table laid out with medical equipment and medications. "Are you the medic?", he speaks quietly to not disturb the sleeping wounded. The figure turns toward him and Dietrich recognizes the lean Lieutenant Johnson who he has met under Major Bracken's command. "Lieutenant Johnson?"

"Captain Dietrich", a smaller figure addresses him from one of the hospital beds. "Major Bracken", Dietrich replies flatly, as he turns toward the Major. "How gravely are you and your men wounded?" The German frowns, as he recognizes gauze covering severe burns and several bandages where bullets seem to have grazed and struck the Major. The Captain crouches next to Bracken's cot to assess the damage realizing how severe the wounds are and that help is direly needed. "We will transport you to sickbay right away, Major", Dietrich tries to sound calm and reassuring. He is about to get up and turn toward the entrance to call for assistance, when the British Major addresses him again. "Strange choice of uniform for a German Captain." Before the accosted German gets the chance to reply, he feels a piercing sting in his neck. Rising to his feet and whirling around in spite of the pain, Hans Dietrich finds himself face to face with Johnson who wears a determined expression and holds a now empty syringe in his hands. Feeling a wave of dizziness starting to interfere with his thinking, the German grabs the Brits wrist with his left hand and demands to know with a growl: "What was in that syringe?" "We do not intend to kill you, Captain. Mainly negotiate our release from German captivity." Dietrich briefly wonders, if he is hallucinating as part of the unknown drug's effect, but slurring back nonetheless: "You're making ... a grave mistake ... again, Major. I'm ... not ... with ... the ... German..." His knees give out, as his vision fades into blackness.

Troy watches the soldiers moving the wounded Brits carefully from his and Moffit's truck. Squinting against the desert sun, he turns toward the third truck which Dietrich has chosen to take care of, but sees neither a soldier working there nor the Captain giving commands. With a scowl, he calls out to Tully: "I'll check on Dietrich's truck. He hasn't called any soldiers yet. Could be a medical emergency that binds him." Shoving back the truck's tarp, Troy calls out: "Hey Captain, what's keeping you? Something happened?" Several moans inside the truck answer him, as some of the wounded stir in their drug induced sleep after the shout. "Sergeant Troy?", the rather incredulous sounding voice of the British Major can be heard. "Are you helping us escape?", a grateful looking Lieutenant Johnson addresses Troy with a cautious look at the entrance behind the American. "What do you mean 'escape'?", Troy sounds no less incredulous than the major.

Scanning the interior, he spots Dietrich lying on the ground next to the major's cot. "What happened to the Captain?", he barks indignantly now glaring at Johnson. The Brit merely blinks at him uncomprehendingly and taken aback by the American Sergeant's hostility. "I gave him some barbiturate to take him out without harming him. We intended to use him for negotiating our release with the Germans." Major Bracken intercedes from his sickbed: "But if you and your unit can help us escape, we can take him in as a prisoner." Troy's gaze shifts from one to the other, briefly doubting that he has heard correctly, before he barks with righteous anger: "You brainless British idiots! Captain Dietrich has defected and is a member of our unit! You have taken out the man organizing to help your injured soldiers." He could not care less about insulting the British brass at the moment, as he is seething with anger. Pushing the British Lieutenant to the side rather roughly, the American Sergeant swiftly moves to the unconscious figure on the floor to check Dietrich's pulse at the neck. Even though his pulse is somewhat weaker than it should be, it appears steady. Yet, the German neither stirs nor shows any other reaction at the touch appearing deeply unconscious. "He warned me that it was a mistake again", Major Bracken mutters under his breath, his gaze slightly glazed. In spite of his anger at the man, Troy notes the rather grave looking injuries. The Captain has probably checked on the man, when Lieutenant Johnson has attacked him from behind Troy notes with unconcealed anger.

Getting up again and glaring Lieutenant Johnson into submission, the American Sergeant turns toward the back flap and shouts for several soldiers to bring stretchers and assist him. Even though he worries about the Captain, Troy realizes that several of the British soldiers need help more quickly. While the soldiers unload the wounded, Troy opens the unconscious officer's shirt collar to check on his neck, but finds no grave injury except for the small puncture. Without a stern expression and the tight military stance as the drug relaxes his strict expression, Troy becomes reminded that Hans Dietrich is actually even younger than his youngest sibling, his sister Helen, who takes care of their farm back in Wyoming together with their mother. A familiar feeling of protectiveness grips him which has accompanied him since his father's death and his taking over responsibility of his younger siblings and their family ranch that makes him stay crouched at the German's side to regularly check on him while shouting orders at the soldiers.

After a few minutes in which the Brits are heaved down from the truck and taken to the sickbay, the Captain is actually stirring on his own and Troy removes his hand from the younger man's shoulder cautiously. With a groan, Dietrich moves his left hand to his neck where the needle has stung him. "Was ... ist...", he starts slurring disoriented and Troy intercedes: "Captain. I don't speak German." Dietrich tenses visibly at the sound of Troy's voice, but tries to blinkingly open his eyes. "Sergeant Troy", he finally manages without a slur in smooth English. "Do you remember what happened?", Troy asks, as he eyes the younger man with worry creasing his brow. Captain Dietrich hesitates briefly trying to gather his thoughts, before he finally answers: "I checked on Major Bracken, as Lieutenant Johnson plunged a syringe into my neck", he grimaces in slight pain as his neck hurts considerably at the injection spot, "injecting some unknown substance." By the time, he has finished the German Captain scowls and scans the interior of the truck for any sign of his attacker. Lieutenant Johnson has left watching over the injured major earlier, getting himself out of the immediate danger zone of the combined ire of Dietrich and Troy.

After a few moments of hesitation the Captain accepts Troy's hand to help him to his feet and the American Sergeant observes the slightly swaying German officer with some concern. "You should get checked up in sickbay yourself." Dietrich merely waves him off. "Even if I would go there now, they would not have time for checking on me for a few hours with so many more gravely wounded men. Also, I cannot bereave the soldiers in urgent need of treatment of their medics' attention." The German Captain sighs, before his gaze turns darker. "Did that fool of a major tell you why they attacked me?" Troy smiles grimly at the accurate assessment. Nobody can accuse Dietrich of not being straight to the point. "They thought they must have been captured by Germans when you entered the scene." "Yes. I could deduce that much from their comments", Dietrich growls indignantly. "With friends like this who needs enemies, as Sergeant Moffit put it aptly", he adds sarcastically, before turning his gaze on Troy. "I should not be totally ungrateful though and thank you for your intervention, Sergeant."

Troy growls in a matching indignant tone: "You shouldn't have to thank me for protecting you from your own allies!" "Do not be ridiculous, Sergeant. Did you not foresee animosities which were bound to persist between myself and anybody who has known me as a German officer?", the Captain sounds more exhausted and grudgingly accepting of the situation than angry, as Troy would have expected and is feeling himself. "There's no fairness in this ...", the American Sergeant starts to protest, as Dietrich interrupts him: "This is a war, Troy. Fairness has nothing to do with it." "I don't get it. You're the proud and stubborn one usually. Why don't you fight this?", Troy asks gruffly. Dietrich merely shakes his head. "The major knows me only as a German officer and is right in his attack against me under this presumption." Troy is about to protest, but Dietrich merely holds up his hand to stop him. "I have learned to choose my battles. I cannot fight to change the attitude of every single Allied soldier and officer, as I am already sufficiently occupied with you and your men, Sergeant." Troy stares at the German in disbelief. "We're not your enemies." Dietrich merely smiles with grim amusement. "You do even realize how far this statement of yours is from reality, Sergeant!?"

"Damn it, Dietrich!", Troy barks and the Captain's eyes narrow at the tone and skipping of rank title. "You surely treated us more fairly at any time, when you actually were a German officer, than you are treated now in spite of your defection! And we sure did more harm to you and your troops than you did to those brass." "What makes you so sure of that, Sergeant?", Dietrich snarls. "It is only natural that nobody trusts a traitor or an enemy soldier." "Do you really think that we can just stand by and watch this happening? After sharing some parts of your life story, as you and your friend Silberblatt did, you assume we could just continue to view you as some wily, proud Jerry officer and nothing else? I almost know more about you than I know of Tully, Hitch or Moffit." Dietrich clenches his jaw in obvious doubt about the rationale of the statement. "We are not friends, Sergeant, and have distrusted each other from the first time we met." "That doesn't mean, I'd still distrust you now. You have defected and given your word, Captain, and I know what that's worth. I know I can trust you blindly with my men's lives or my own." The German is obviously in disagreement, but Troy holds him back from uttering his counterargument by placing a hand on the Captain's shoulder who tries to shrug him off immediately without appearing too undignified in doing so. "Listen, Captain! I can perfectly understand why you are so wary and distrustful considering you're treated as badly by our brass as you actually are. But you're not all alone among enemies." Their eyes meet, as Dietrich growls: "En contraire, Sergeant. That is exactly what I am, especially once Lieutenant Silberblatt will have left."

Their staring duel is interrupted by Moffit opening the back flap of the truck and regarding them with a certain amount of astonishment. "All wounded are transferred to sickbay, Captain", he reports sternly and Dietrich thanks him briefly, turning away from Troy with a final glare in order to exit the truck. Troy glares after him with a grim expression, muttering once Dietrich is out of earshot: "That bull-headed Jerry's bucking more than a mustang at his first ride." Moffit grins in amusement: "What did the dear Captain do to aggrieve you so much?" "He got attacked and taken out with some drug injection by your idiotic major's aide and now thinks he is all alone and friendless among nothing but enemies", Troy growls. "First, I would like to point out that he is not 'my major'. Second, Dietrich has given you a rather accurate description. He is a convicted traitor and defector after all, as well as our former enemy", Moffit replies with cool logic in his aloof tone. "Don't give me that bullshit, Jack!", Troy spits angrily. "Can you really consider that man as an enemy after all you have heard from him and experienced in the past few days?" "We're surely not his friends, for sure none of us is even close to his relation with Jakob Silberblatt", Jack Moffit argues more carefully realizing he is currently treading on thin ice with the angry Troy.

"Nobody can live well with constant paranoia. And Dietrich's far too straight and honorable to live well with being hounded by everyone around", the stubborn American fumes. "Troy, Dietrich's cornered and backed against the wall. He's been betrayed by his superiors, deserted by his homeland and his family. A burnt child dreads the fire. He has not been the most trusting person ever since we have known him, but he is certainly not willing to risk being betrayed all over again so soon." Troy actually considers that and reins in his anger. "That would explain why he is not even angry at the major's and lieutenant's behaviour. He expects nothing but betrayal anyway. We have to change that!" "Troy, you are not responsible for Captain Dietrich!", Moffit argues. "Don't give me that, Jack! We are responsible in a way. We read that SS file of his and leveraged him into cooperation and defection. We persuaded the general to have Dietrich join us..." Moffit interrupts him mock indignantly with dark humor: "You should not try to pull me into this. That last part was all your own doing, old man!"

Unaware of their discussions, Hans Dietrich moves to the sickbay to gain an overview of the situation there which turns out to be extremely chaotic. Doctor Andrews, Doktor Sommer and the three nurses barely manage to keep up with the emergency treatments of the most serious cases. "Can I help you in some way, Doctor?", Dietrich addresses the medic quietly from the side after waiting for him to apply some medication with a syringe to one of the British soldiers whose right arm is missing below the elbow. "You're a god-send", the American Doctor sighs in relief. "I need you to give tetanus shots to all the soldiers who we have not been treated yet. Start with the most gravely wounded ones! We will have to treat them first." Assuring the American doctor of his compliance, the German turns towards the table where medical instruments and drugs have been laid out such that they are ready to be taken up quickly. Drawing up the medication into the syringe and assuring that no air bubbles get caught in the liquid, Dietrich asks the medical doctors for the correct amount to apply on average, before turning towards the first patient to apply the injection to the upper arm after disinfecting the spot. The unconscious British soldier does not even stir.

As the German stands up from crouching next to the cot, he finds himself in close proximity of Lieutenant Johnson. As his whole body tenses to a battle-ready stance, Dietrich's expression turns dark and distrustful. The Lieutenant raises both hands defensively and states rather meekly: "I apologize for the misunderstanding, Captain Dietrich." Forcing his face to take a more neutral expression, the German replies flatly: "Your actions are understandable given your state of knowledge, Lieutenant Johnson." Deliberately, he takes a step toward the British junior officer sidestepping him to reach the table and refills the syringe while forcing the Brit into retreating a few steps at the same time. "Whether as a German or an American officer, you tried to help Major Bracken and I attacked you for it", Johnson sounds really down-cast and ashamed of himself. "My actions are rather unforgivable." Dietrich does not comment on that statement, but turns toward the next wounded soldier. "How is the Major?", the German officer inquires instead of an answer, neither accepting nor rejecting the British officer's apology. Johnson seems almost relieved at the change of subject, as he answers: "Unconscious. They were able to stabilize him though." "Good", Dietrich pronounces quietly, as he applies the next tetanus shot to a soldier's upper arm.

Johnson observes the German Captain quietly, as Dietrich continues his medical treatment of four more soldiers, before the Brit finally asks sheepishly: "Why are you treating them yourself? You are an officer." Dietrich glares at him darkly. "Because I am an officer, I have an obligation to the soldiers under my command or the ones who are my allies", the German snarls, offended to be even asked such a moronic question. "And the sickbay is currently stretched thin enough that any helping hand is relevant." "You really came to the truck to help the soldiers and would have treated the major, would you not?", Johnson asks slightly incredulously. "That is my duty, but hardly of any relevance now, Lieutenant!", Dietrich huffs indignantly, as he gives another shot to a soldier. Every time, he has to crouch in the close vicinity of the British Lieutenant, his hair in the back of his neck starts to stand on end. "You could actually help your own comrades or does your capability with the syringe only suffice for attacks on German officers?", Captain Dietrich bites out indignantly, as he refills the syringe and notices that the Lieutenant has indeed shown no intention of helping with the wounded. Johnson actually blushes at the statement, realizing that the German officer he has unjustly attacked is making more of an effort to help his comrades than he himself. "Sure, I will help, Sir."

They are interrupted by Private Higgins who approaches Dietrich and salutes which the German returns. "Captain Dietrich. General Atkins and Captain Boggs wish to speak with you immediately." "Thank you, Private Higgins", the officer acknowledges him and turns towards Johnson who still eyes him guiltily: "Lieutenant. You take over applying the tetanus shots!" The Brit actually salutes sharply at the command which Dietrich returns without hesitation before handing him his syringe and turning to follow Private Higgins. As they enter Captain Boggs' tent, General Atkins, Captain Boggs, the British Lieutenant Westwood and the American officers First Lieutenant Winters, Lieutenants Griffith, Carlos and Carter, as well as Sergeants Troy and Moffit are gathered around a detailed map of the part of Libya where the current camp of the LRDG and also Dietrich's former fort are located.

General Atkins addresses the German who salutes swiftly: "Are you familiar with a Major von Stolberg, Captain Dietrich?" The German winces slightly at the mispronunciation of the name, then narrows his eyes, as he asks warily: "Major Graf Friedrich-Wilhelm von Stolberg?" Captain Boggs reads the note in front of him and exchanges glances with the general, before nodding in the affirmative. At this, Dietrich growls with unconcealed disdain: "I know him ... unfortunately. The Major is an arrogant aristocrat and a spineless, paranoid, self-serving opportunist." General Atkins and Captain Boggs eye the young German officer with curiosity, while several others around the desk appear almost amused at the harsh, derisive description few of them would have expected from the German. "We believe that the Major has been the one attacking Major Bracken's column", Captain Boggs states firmly. "Lieutenant Westwood", Dietrich addresses the British officer who eyes him warily, "have you seen your attackers wave an second flag in addition to the official one of the German Reich? The flag would bear a black, white and red stripe and an eagle with a crown." Westwood furrows his brows trying to remember the detail. Turning to Boggs' desk, Dietrich picks up a pencil and begins sketching on an empty sheet of paper, holding the result of a quick draft out to the Lieutenant after a minute who starts nodding immediately. "Yes. I could see such a flag. I do not know what it means though."

All eyes turn to Dietrich expectantly. "It is the old flag of the German Kaiserreich in use until 1918. Major von Stolberg is a fanatic follower of the idea of reestablishing the German empire and its monarchy. He and several like-minded aristocrats are obsessed with nobility and noble blood lines." General Atkins looks curious indeed, as the German continues his recount: "The Major's second in command, Hauptmann Freiherr Siegfried von Gebsattel, is a sadistic fanatic with the tendency to kick at those below him and suck up to those above his rank. Also, he supports his Major's ideals whole-heartedly." "How come you have learned all this which our intelligence service has not been able to find out in years, Captain?", the American general asks with honest curiosity. The German briefly makes an expression as if tasting a particularly vile thing, before schooling his face into a neutral expression. "I had the particular ... pleasure", Dietrich's tone makes it quite clear that whatever he is describing has been anything but a pleasure, "to spend an evening in a German officers' club in the presence of the Major and the Hauptmann. Due to Major Graf von Stolberg's...", the German Captain hesitates searching for the right term, "... preferences of not speaking with those not of noble blood their options for acceptable interlocutors are limited even in a German officers' club."

General Atkins frowns now, as he remarks: "But you are not a member of German aristocracy either, Captain." Dietrich shakes his head, continuing with a tone that makes his disdain perfectly clear: "No, I am not, but my mother is. According to the Major this makes me only a 'half-blood plebeian' as opposed to the 'full-blood plebeians' unworthy of his attention. He and those of his mind-set are no less dangerous than the Nazis and according to the Major's inebriated talk they intend to only use those Nazis as means to their own ends." "That guy's crazy even for a Jerry", Troy blurts out and Dietrich merely raises his eyebrows at him. "You need not worry, Sergeant Troy, to become a victim of his spoken attention. No force in heaven and hell could make him even speak with you."

General Atkins regards Dietrich with honest appreciation and curiosity. "We have only known him as the avenger of the Afrikakorps until now, but not been aware of the additional danger." Dietrich nods. "Being the 'Racheengel des Afrikakorps' is what Berlin sent him to North Africa for. Stolberg typically attacks with a superior force against civilians who dared to put up resistance or much smaller Allied forces, the coward." The German officer sounds derisive at his analysis. "Generalfeldmarschall Rommel has typically been able to send him to locations where he could not do too much damage with his ruthless behaviour, so usually to areas where he would not expect the Afrikakorps to gain footing again or which are not considered worth the effort in the first place. If he is in this area, it means that the Feldmarschall has already given up on my old base and this whole region and will not send any valuable military convoys through here in the near future."

"That is valuable information indeed", General Atkins concludes celebrating inwardly to have finally gained one of Rommel's own officers as a source of such invaluable information. "I will leave as soon as possible." Dietrich regards the American general with a frown, as do Captain Boggs and several of the other American officers. "With all due respect, General", the German is the first to voice his doubts, "leaving with a convoy now that a fanatical German Major with a superior tank force is in the area is rather risky." Moffit admires him for the nerves to contradict an American general, even though he counts as freshly defected and could keep his head down and play it safe instead. "Stolberg has at least a dozen Tiger III and IV tanks under his command. None of your guns can even penetrate the hull and your few British tanks are vastly outnumbered which has likely already been Major Bracken's complication in dealing with the Graf." Lieutenant Westwood agrees immediately. "The Captain is correct. They destroyed several of our tanks, before we could return fire and our guns could do nothing against them. Their force has contained 15 tanks and even more armored vehicles, which we could barely harm, before suffering severe losses and being forced to retreat. Our only advantage was the greater speed compared to the tanks."

"So what can we do against those damn kraut fanatics?", Lieutenant Griffith is practically snarling and Troy shares the sentiment, as both look equally furious. Dietrich tenses, but swallows any remark against the slight towards his people including himself to not escalate the situation further. "Your standard approach of driving in with Jeeps will not work, as long as they are on the move and shielded by their tanks", the German Captain argues matter-of-factly. "This is not a convoy of mainly trucks with combustible materials and ammunition which you can blow up easily. Stolberg is the expert for creating what the ancient Romans called the testudo or tortoise formation as variety of a shield wall, only that he uses tanks and armed vehicles instead of soldiers with shields. His men are hand-selected and sworn in on his fanaticism. They will die for their commander and their cause before surrendering." Griffith curses loudly, while several American officers of the LRDG frown darkly. This is bad news indeed.

"Let's sneak into his camp at night then and get that god-damned bastard!", Troy growls and Moffit nods in support of this idea. "The Major has one of the biggest prices on his head of any German officer in North Africa and he is disproportionately paranoid about it", Dietrich retorts. "He never has less than half a dozen guards around him, inside and outside of his tent, some of them accompany him even on German bases or in officers' clubs. He actually bragged about it, when he spoke to me."

Atkins takes all this information in with a stern expression, before turning to all his officers. "Any suggestions, gentlemen?" "Attack them at night, draw them out, kill them all", Griffith suggests with a dark expression mirroring his attitude. "Your Jeep motors are far to noisy in the desert night to not be heard at a large distance without the noise of machinery covering your approach", Dietrich counters him, before continuing: "But such an attack could provide a good cover for a stealth operation to get to the Major directly, by attacking his outside guards and causing a distraction for the whole camp. You would need a whole team for that though to take care of the men inside as well, while dealing with the Major at the same time."

"What are we waiting for then?", Lieutenant Griffith sounds only too eager to rain bullets on the German column. Even though Troy shares his wish for going against the Jerries looking between Boggs and Dietrich who both bear skeptical expressions dampens his eagerness slightly. "How many men do you suggest to use for the distraction?", Captain Boggs asks the German instead after shooting a reprimanding glare at his over-eager Lieutenant. "As many as you can spare, as casualties will likely be high in such an operation, but not so many that you run a great risk to kill your own men through friendly fire", Captain Dietrich replies after giving the matter a few moments thought. General Atkins nods grimly. "There will be two teams then. One in charge of the distraction attack on the German camp, the other for silently getting into the Major's tent, taking him prisoner alive and forcing his men to surrender on his command, if possible."

Twirling his moustache, the general eyes each of the assembled officers thoughtfully. "Captain Boggs, you will be in charge of the first team yourself", he commands and the American Captain nods in grim acceptance. "Select the men you wish to take on this mission according to your own valuation." Griffith immediately raises his eyes to stare at Boggs in a way of challenging him to dare not to put him on this mission, while Carlos and Carter look at their Captain with quiet expectation. Only First Lieutenant Winters appears cold and almost uncaring, as he stares straight ahead, too self-assured to doubt his being assigned on this mission for a second.

"Captain Dietrich", Atkins addresses the German whose straight stance becomes slightly more tense, while his face betrays little of his thoughts. "You and your unit will infiltrate Major Stolberg's camp and gain access to his tent. I need somebody on speaking terms with the count to negotiate with him. Also Sergeant Troy and his team are among the most qualified soldiers for such a mission." Internally agreeing with the assessment which he would never admit in Troy's face, Dietrich merely salutes and acknowledges the command with a brief "Yes, Sir.". Lieutenant Griffith looks like he would like to protest, but Carlos' hand on his shoulder keeps him from doing so.

"Our current problem is that we do not know where the Major's column is though", Sergeant Moffit points out. "Captain, could you make an estimate based on their position yesterday at the time of the attack and your experience with German tanks in the desert?" "Of course I can", Dietrich replies barely containing a smug expression, "and I have already done so in my head. From yesterday's position attacking the British column at 1500", he points at a spot on the map, "they would be able to have made their way in this radius", the German draws a virtual circle with his finger on the map around the location, "which includes our own camp where they have not been sighted, as well as the former German fort here." Dietrich points at the location of the desert village where his former fort is located. "My guess is that dealing retributions against the natives who have antagonized and ultimately killed the SS soldiers there has been his original intent and Major Bracken with his column has merely been in the wrong place at the wrong time." Lieutenant Westwood is about to protest, but General Atkins cuts him off: "This is a reasonable assessment. Check out the fort first and send further scouting patrols if you are not successful there. Gentlemen, you are dismissed!"

While the Lieutenants turn towards Captain Boggs expecting to be included in the raiding party, Moffit puts an arm on Troy's shoulder and points towards their Captain who observes the Allied officers around him with a frown and veiled distrust. Before they can actually approach him however, the German finds himself addressed by General Atkins who speaks to him quietly, before turning to leave the tent. With furrowed brows, the younger officer turns around and approaches Captain Boggs speaking to him equally quietly. The American Captain sits up straight and starts to rummage through his desk until he retrieves a Sam Brown belt with gun holster, a Colt and Dietrich's own Arab dagger.

Not bothering to put these on in front of the assembled American officers, as his shoulder wound still impedes his fine motor skills, Hans Dietrich turns to leave quickly. When he finds the two Sergeants of the Rat Patrol ready to intercept him, his expression turns into an even darker frown and his stance becomes even more tense. "Gentlemen", the German at least manages to keep his voice smooth, "you are aware of our mission. Ready your two companions and your vehicles. I will join you shortly for a debriefing with the privates!" With a frown of his own, Troy asks sharply: "You're letting Hitch return from his punishment?" Dietrich raises his eyebrows and states coolly: "A matter of necessity which you can surely understand as well as anybody, Sergeant." Moffit observes the German and deduces that his poker face is mainly a show for the other Allied officers in close vicinity, in case the commanding officer of Hitch's opponent from yesterday would get wind from Dietrich pardoning his own man entirely, while the other has spent a night imprisoned and been punished by Captain Boggs this morning. Interrupting Troy as he is about to start a rant against Dietrich who looks less than amused by the defiant American's behaviour, Moffit states smoothly: "We will inform the privates of the necessity to prepare the vehicles and weapons and leave all details to you, Captain." Both Dietrich and Troy look slightly stunned at the interruption with Dietrich recovering more quickly and sending them on their way with a sharp salute.

Dietrich himself turns to find Jakob Silberblatt to assign him with the task of taking care of both Ari and the young corporal Gottschlich. Jakob is reading through several strategic files in their shared tent and surprised to see his friend entering while carrying a small weapons arsenal. "Have you been able to take care of the British troops, Hans?", he asks curiously and his friend briefly wonders why the general has not involved him in the meeting. His most likely guess would be Jakob's pacifistic tendencies which make him almost useless in actual combat situations such as the one ahead of them. "We will leave soon to attack Major Graf von Stolberg's Panzer column", Dietrich informs his companion who stares at him with incredulity. "With 'we' you mean yourself and the Rat Patrol?", Jakob asks cautiously, as he observes Dietrich buckling the belt with gun holster and dagger sheath. "The Rat Patrol and also Captain Boggs and several of the other LRDG units", the German officer answers smoothly trying to hide how much he is struggling with the shoulder strap that presses against his injured shoulder. "Therefore, I require your assistance for several tasks which I cannot handle myself due to my absence. First, Doctor Andrews wants to release Ari sooner rather than later considering the amount of soldiers in the sickbay by now. I gave him the order to release him into your care."

Jakob nods and assures his friend of his intention to take care of the child, before Dietrich continues: "Second, I require you to take a Corporal Gottschlich under your care. He is half Japanese and has a German grandfather. Apparently, the Americans harass him because of that and he has been attacked and ended up with a broken cheekbone and concussion in the sickbay yesterday. Keep him in a safe position where he will not be harmed, if you can, at least until my return!" Silberblatt finally gets up and helps his rather reluctant friend with the shoulder strap. "Do you really have to play the knight in shining armor for everybody?", Jakob asks with a grin, as Hans grits his teeth. "Don't be ridiculous, Jakob! I am more of the arch-villain in the eyes of the people in this camp. Besides, haven't you known similar behavior as applied towards Gottschlich directed against you yourself? Would you just stand by and watch, when you could make a difference for this young man?" "Don't worry, Hans! I will help him", Silberblatt assures his friend who acknowledges the statement with a curt nod and an honest "Thank you, Jakob!". "I need to leave and debrief my unit. If all goes well, you will have the pleasure of meeting Major von Stolberg in person", Dietrich speaks the last part with sarcasm, before adding his good-bye and to take care in their native Plattdütsch: "Pass op di op un leve woll, Jakob!" "Du ok, Hans! Kaam levend trügg!", his friend answers with actual worry and concern that Hans will make it back alive. After all, he has seen that his friend is in a far from fit physical state of health.

Without looking back, Dietrich leaves the tent and soon approaches the four Rats who seems to await him already gathered around their Jeeps with slight unease. Dispersing a brief feeling of apprehension upon the sight and sound of the often accursed vehicles, the German officer schools his features into a neutral expression. Hitch who is immediately stopping chewing his bubble gum and Tully who does not even bother to hide the match stick in his mouth eye the German's pistol and dagger with some apprehension, while Troy and Moffit appear unperturbed. "Gentlemen", the Captain greets them and salutes sharply. "Captain", all four reply in various degrees of intensity giving sloppy salutes that would not have been tolerated in the Wehrmacht, but are the standard for the American units as the German has noted previously. Hans Dietrich starts his briefing with a calm tone: "Our orders are to infiltrate a German camp during the distraction of a nightly attack by several of your companions of the LRDG." All four note that the German uses 'your' and not 'our' companions whether consciously or subconsciously is never quite clear with Dietrich.

"Major von Stolberg", the Captain's tone turns slightly harsher, "is notoriously paranoid and keeps personal guards close by including his sadistic second in command, Hauptmann Gebsattel. We are to capture both of them or at least the Major alive for interrogation if possible. Prepare everything for a stealth mission including clothes and color for blackening faces. Any questions?" Hitch is the first to ask a question: "The Sarge said you would let me join as well." Dietrich merely glares from Hitchcock to Troy. "Anything but taking you along would be unreasonable. Could you formulate an actual question, Private, or is the reassurance sufficient for you?", the Captain states dryly. "That is all I wanted to know. Thank you, Cap ... Captain", Hitchcock quickly corrects himself.

To Dietrich's surprise not Troy but Moffit is the next one to ask a question: "Do I assume correctly that we should prepare gear for five men, Captain?" "You heard the general yourself, Sergeant. Yes, you should prepare for five!", Dietrich answers with barely hidden exasperation at the Brit's inexplicably dumb behavior. "We would require to know your size then for preparing properly. I assume bringing a machine gun along for you would be unreasonable." "You assume correctly that my shoulder wound does not allow me to either hold or fire a machine gun", the German answers with slight disdain, but adding with a more moderate tone: "And I have no idea how to convert German to U.S. clothing sizes. Lieutenant Silberblatt will be the man to ask for that, as he has done this conversion before to provide me with a fitting uniform." Surprised by the honest answer, the British Sergeant actually smiles. "We will check this out, Captain."

"Anything else you would wish to share with us all that's relevant for dealing with that Major?", Troy finally asks. Dietrich is giving this a few moments thought before answering: "The Major is fanatical and ruthless on the one hand, but a spineless coward on the other hand." The Captain's disdain is clear from his tone. "Overpowering his personal guards quickly and efficiently should be crippling for him and discourage his resistance. Whether this will make him willing to negotiate or not I cannot predict. None of us are worthy of his full attention and consideration, unless one of you has kept their provenance from German nobility well-hidden until now." There is some irony audible in the statement and Troy actually grins, as Dietrich does not look at them but Moffit directly. "I am truly sorry to disappoint you, Captain. You still have the largest amount of noble blood in your veins in spite of being a 'half-blood plebeian', if I remember this correctly." Dietrich winces at the word, obviously unnerved by the term. "However, I am a convicted traitor in the league with American commandos. I could not possibly have fallen any lower in the Major's eyes. We will find out, if anybody will be considered on speaking terms with the Major." "Let's shake it then!", Troy declares and watches the German tense automatically at the words. "You'll get used to it, Captain", he tries to joke which only earns him an annoyed glare from Dietrich who snaps: "Dismissed, gentlemen!"

Turning towards the radio stations Dietrich intends to ask about reports on Major Stolberg's location from any of the patrols and runs into Boggs and Carlos who have had the same intention. Upon seeing the younger officer, the American Captain's eyes light up while his face keeps bearing an expression of worry. "As you have predicted the Major approaches the desert fort formerly under your command, Captain Dietrich." The German stiffens visibly and starts explaining with a certain amount of concern filtering into his voice: "This means that he has been sent to investigate our 'disappearance' and deal retributions to the townspeople. If they resist, he will not hesitate to bomb and burn the whole town to the ground." The young officer looks obviously troubled by the thought. "But they're just civilians", Lieutenant Carlos shouts angrily. "For sure that is none of the Major's concerns", Dietrich growls with no less righteous anger than the American. "But it might provide us with an additional opportunity. The Bedouins might be willing to temporarily cooperate with us for the defense of their own village and townspeople unless they have already been attacked", the German adds with a calmer and more thoughtful expression.

"Try to persuade them and win them as allies. We can need all the help we can get!", Boggs orders without hesitation. "You are free to leave as soon as possible." "I will do what I can, but the Sheikh and his men certainly do not trust any Westerners at the moment and these events will not instill more faith in them", Dietrich replies with a worried frown. "As I have understood from Sergeant Moffit's and your recount, nobody except for you would stand a chance to persuade this particular tribe in the first place." The German answers with a worried frown: "I will leave as soon as our provisions and stealth outfits are ready and inform you on the outcome of the negotiations in the afternoon." Saluting sharply, the young officer turns on his heel and makes a quick exit not to the Jeeps where Tully and Hitch are currently checking and modifying the motors to get everything to working order and beyond that, but to the sickbay to ask for an extended medical supply kit in case he has to use medical treatment for some of the Bedouins as leverage or offer in negotiations.

Doctor Andrews is more than happy to supply the young Captain with the means for medical treatment sending nurse O'Donnell off to provide him with an extended med kit. "How are your latest British patients?", Dietrich asks warily, as he scans the rows of cots with new patients in a different section of the tent separated from the Italians and Germans the less severe cases of whom have been released to the prison area to make room for the new patients. Doctor Andrews sounds exhausted, as he answers: "Most have made it. We lost three men though, Captain. Thank you for your concern, especially after what has happened." Dietrich's eyes narrow, as he wonders where the medic would have heard anything about his interaction with Lieutenant Johnson and Major Bracken. The American doctor smiles at the suspicious look. "Lieutenant Johnson confessed and seemed rather distressed that he could have seriously injured you." The British officer in question is observing them from the British part of the tent with a sheepish expression, but not announcing himself to either of the two. "I do not have the impression that I suffer from any long-term consequences", the German states matter-of-factly with a scowl. "Then take a seat please. I would like to conduct a quick check-up on your neck and shoulder, Captain. Especially since your are to leave on an assignment." Dietrich raises his eyebrows, while he complies with taking a seat. "What exactly makes you think that I will go on an assignment, Doctor?" "I'm no fool, Captain. You have not worn a gun, holster or dagger since your arrival in this camp. Sending you out in spite of your state of health is risky, but apparently relevant enough for you Captains and the General", the medic scolds to which the German snaps: "I am not an invalid, Doctor Andrews!"

The American Doctor looks amused, as he counters: "Actually, you are." With a pen light he checks the pupils' response to light, as he continues to annoy Dietrich. "You cannot hold or fire a weapon with your right hand and driving a vehicle with too much steering is also out of question. In addition, your state of long-term malnutrition puts you at a disadvantage compared to any fit and sound soldier, even though I grant you that you have the constitution of an ox to survive what you have and still keep running almost without pause." The proud German has clenched his jaw by now and is actually glaring at the American medic with a tense posture that speaks of unease and his barely restrained temper. This position changes almost immediately, as Andrews applies some pressure on the area around the injection spot. The young officer flinches and draws in his breath in obvious pain. Working his way down the neck to the shoulder, Andrews is quite discontent with the amount of built-up tension he can feel under his touch. "Take off the uniform jacket and shirt, Captain! I need to check whether removing the stitches can be considered safe under the circumstances", the medical doctor urges the younger man.

After having gone through this undignified process in the over-crowded sickbay often enough by now without any curtains as visual separation, Hans Dietrich finds himself actually surprised that his self-consciousness has almost subsided and he is not really caring too much about who would watch him anymore. His lighter bruises have started to discolor, while the heavy bruises from Metzlich's mistreatment still remain dark and have gained company from Lieutenant Griffith's. The burn wounds have healed completely leaving only several scars in perfect circle form behind. Andrews directs the skinny officer to move his right arm in certain directions, while he observes the stitched-up wound. Finally satisfied, the American medic applies a disinfectant on the area, before cutting the first stitch under a knot and pulling the thread out with pincers. Dietrich keeps a neutral expression, as this can hardly be considered a minor nuisance compared to pain this wound has caused him in the past ten days. "Do not put too much strain on the arm, but try to move it naturally to regain mobility", Andrews advises, while he continues with his work. "After your return we can show you specific exercises."

Once finished, the American doctor checks that no bleeding is triggered by the arm's movement, before he lets Dietrich put on his shirt again. The German is far too skinny for a trained soldier active in combat and does not look like he has gained any weight since his arrival in the camp which does not surprise the American medic who has observed the younger man's activities in the past few days. After his assessment of the other Axis soldiers, Germans and Italians alike, and long talks with Doktor Sommer, it has become clear for Andrews that they all suffer from chronic malnutrition depending on how much they operate out in the desert and how much time they have spent in North Africa overall and that Captain Dietrich is no exception, only he has been more severely starved than many of his men by the SS and his frequent cross-desert activities and losses of already meager supplies. Other than that, the Captain's state speaks clearly of their desert patrols' success against German supply lines, only that they hardly ever notice the effect of their actions on the actual soldiers. That their former success now turns into a risk for one of their own officers is a cruel twist of fate originating from the German's defection.

Once properly dressed again, the German officer surveys his surroundings in an automatic check for enemy activities. As his eyes meet with Lieutenant Johnson's, his expression turns grim again, especially when Dietrich becomes aware that the Brit is actually approaching him. Arching his eyebrows without even asking the question what the Lieutenant wants from him, the young Captain stares the guilty officer down. "Major Bracken would like to speak with you, Captain Dietrich", the lean Brit speaks meekly. "Does he now?", the German states dryly and crosses his arms behind his back, as he continues with undisguised sarcasm: "Has he decided to have me arrested ... again?" Johnson shrinks back, as if he has been struck, while Dietrich glares at him. Shifting his gaze from the unfortunate British Lieutenant to his Major who is awake and bears a surprisingly desperate expression on his pallid face, the German officer sighs warily, before approaching Bracken's cot and gives a swift salute.

"Major Bracken, I can actually understand your sentiment, especially after your column has been under attack from Major Graf von Stolberg. In no way, could you or Lieutenant Johnson have known that he was attacking an Allied, not an Axis officer", Dietrich states with a forced neutral and calm tone, as he takes in the British officer's state of health while crouching next to his cot. The older man's burns and bullet wounds have been bandaged making the Major's upper body look like an Egyptian mummy. "Why did you defect, Captain?", Bracken asks with no small amount of incredulity. "You have been a wily opponent, but you struck me as a man of honor who would not betray his men or his country." "I betrayed neither. Other than that I am not accountable to you", the German adds with a grim expression.

"I saw your bruises and injuries. You have been tortured, not by our side, I assume", Bracken does not stop although Dietrich's expression turns even darker, as he snarls quietly: "I have also been sentenced to death as a traitor to the German Reich after having my soldiers shoot at SS men rather than Jewish civilians they were supposed to execute. Is this the answer you wished to hear, Major?" The proud German is fuming with anger and not caring to hide it at the moment, as he balls his hands into fists. Major Bracken at least has the decency to look ashamed of having pushed the matter so far, while Johnson's hands are shaking slightly at the revelation he has just heard. After their last run-in with the man both British officers have studied the young Captain's file who has outmaneuvered them twice. Thus, both are aware that Hauptmann Dietrich has been a role model German officer, precise, intelligent, strategic, proud, honorable and willing to take calculated risks, while standing up for his men. That his own nation would cast him out and his own army sentence him to death for resisting against war crimes to be committed by a political militia like the SS, sounds almost unthinkable. But apparently this is exactly what has happened handing the Allied command a competent and surprisingly motivated ally. "If you would excuse me, Major Bracken", Dietrich has wrestled his anger under control well enough to speak almost calmly, "I will have to hunt down Major von Stolberg, the man who has attacked your column. If you do have any further information on your opponent that you wish to share, now would be an opportune moment to do so."

Major Bracken hesitates and gives the suggestion some thought. "His tanks destroyed most of ours within their first two salves. Then he ceased to fire and offered that any member of the British nobility would be allowed to negotiate the surrender of the plebeians." The major sounds absolutely incredulous, even more so as Dietrich nods with a knowing expression. "That is not surprising, but thank you for the information. He would have offered you surrender. Why did you not accept?" For a moment, Bracken considers to tell the lower ranking officer to quit his incessant questioning, before he realizes how absurd this would be in dealing with Dietrich after all that has happened between them. "First, I had no member of nobility at hand to negotiate and second I considered him a madman who I could not trust. We used the ceasefire to collect our wounded and start a quick retreat", Bracken sounds angry. "That is reasonable. Thank you, Major", Dietrich answers in a carefully kept neutral tone, as he gets up and turns to leave. "Good luck, Captain", Bracken actually shouts after his retreating back seeing the German stop and tense, before continuing on his way without further acknowledgement of the statement.

A check of the LRDG corner of the tent, shows Hans Dietrich that Ari and Gottschlich have already been released into Jakob's custody. In the neighbouring German section, Feldwebel Deutsch remains in medical custody, as his injuries have become infected and caused a light fever. The Hungarian Wehrmacht soldier smiles happily, as his Captain approaches him. His face falls however, when he realizes that the desert fatigue Dietrich is wearing is an American, not a German officer's uniform. "Herr Hauptmann, weshalb tragen Sie eine amerikanische Uniform?" Dietrich's face looks pained for a brief moment, before he repeats his argument given to Ludwig Sommer that he is trying to liberate his German homeland of its true enemies, the Nazis and SS. Deutsch looks confused, but listens intently and his face turns grim at the mentioning of the SS who have murdered his friend Gyula Horvath and the Nazis who brainwashed his former comrades into beating him half to death. Two weeks ago, he could not have understood, but now he realizes that his senior officer has made the only decent choice possible for a man of honor such as himself. "Ich wünschte, ich könnte Ihnen helfen, Herr Hauptmann", the Hungarian whispers meekly. Dietrich considers this and places a hand reassuringly on his dejected Sergeant's shoulder. "Ich werde es dem zuständigen Verbindungsoffizier vorschlagen. Das verspreche ich Ihnen, Feldwebel Deu... Nemet", the German still struggles with the change of the name he has been used to utter for a full year. Yet, Istvan Nemet smiles at him gratefully in spite of the slip-up, relieved by his Captain's promise to let Lieutenant Silberblatt as the expert for German soldiers know about his wish to aid his former Captain and the Allies against their common enemies.

Nurse Deirdre O'Donnell finally has completed the med kit's supply and hands it to the German Captain who says a quick good-bye to her and Ludwig Sommer who passes by hectically in between treating an Italian and a British soldier. With two worries less, he can finally leave the sickbay and turns to Jakob's tent to gather his Bedouin outfit for approaching the oasis town under disguise, should this become necessary. A child's voice already reaches his ears, as he approaches the tent and upon entering, Hans Dietrich finds himself in an unexpected mess. Only the Rats blowing up or shooting his office to pieces have ever produced a worse scene of chaos as he finds himself confronted with now. Jakob is crawling on the ground and gathering strewn around papers from an over-turned desk with the clumsy help of a rather pale Private Gottschlich. Meanwhile Fritz is happily chewing on one of his friend's discarded socks next to the field bed and Ari unsuccessfully tries to wrestle the piece of clothing from the dog.

With a highly bemused expression the Captain stops in the entrance and takes in the chaotic scene noting with no small amount of relief that his own cot and clothing have remained untouched. As soon as Ari spots him, however, all considerations of sneaking in and out with his Arab kaftan are immediately abandoned, as the boy squeaks with joy "Hauptmann!" and wraps his arms around the tall young officer's mid section. While Jakob smiles in relief, Private Gottschlich looks absolutely flabbergasted. "*You promised that I could see the Jeeps, when I am healthy again*", Ari reminds the German excitedly. "*I did*", Dietrich murmurs regretting his moment of weakness to give such a promise. "*Can we go now?*", Ari asks enthusiastically and takes his protector's hand in both of his. "*I still need to take something with me*", Dietrich answers then switches to English to address the two soldiers: "Corporal Gottschlich. It is good to see you back on your feet again." The young man beams at the German Captain with almost the same expression as the Jewish boy. "I assume you are not fit for heavy duty yet. I have a task for you however. You and Ari will accompany me to the Jeeps and you may show him around the motor pool, but not let him touch anything or get hurt. Bring him back to Lieutenant Silberblatt and get some rest for the day yourself."

Gottschlich looks more than eager to prove his worth. "Yes, Sir!" Dietrich eyes him with concealed amusement, as he continues. "Ari only speaks Hebrew and Arabic. To introduce yourself use 'Shalom' for 'Hello' and 'Ani' for 'my name is'. This should suffice for now." The young Corporal repeats the phrase obediently. "Shalom. Ani Riku Gottschlich." Ari smiles at the young man introducing himself in return. "*He will come with you to the Jeeps and bring you back to Jakob, as I will have to ride off into the desert*", Dietrich explains to the youngster. "*But you will come back?*", the boy asks with some fear resounding in his voice. "*I will do all that is in my power to come back*", the Captain promises with conviction crouching to look the distraught boy in the eyes, while he reassures him. "*I don't want to lose you like Papa and Mama*", Ari's tears start falling again and the young German is averting his gaze with a guilty expression, while placing his hand on the boy's shoulder who takes this as his cue to start crying into the other's shirt. With a deep sigh and out of his depth with handling crying young children, Dietrich tries to distract him. "*Ari. We will go out and see the Jeeps soon. And you can also meet Jack Moffit again. You remember him, don't you?*" The name does not really work to console the boy, but the prospect of adventure does and Dietrich waves Gottschlich over to take the young boy into his custody, so that he can finally perform the task for which he has entered the tent, picking up the Arab overcoat to cover his uniform when approaching the desert town and his cap with the desert goggles.

Ari tries to run ahead toward the Jeeps, but is stopped immediately by Dietrich's sharp command that would have cowered battle-proven soldiers: "*Stay with Corporal Gottschlich and do not run off, Ari!*" This time his pleading eyes do not help him with melting his protector's heart who is far too worried about the child. "Keep close watch on him, Corporal!", Dietrich orders Gottschlich who immediately takes Ari's hand. Moffit and Troy who have been speaking with each other, while Tully and Hitch have manned their respective Jeep turn toward the Captain upon the approach. Troy and Hitch actually smile, as they see the boy at Gottschlich's hand nearing them behind the German officer, while Moffit frowns. Dietrich turns to Gottschlich at some distance from the Rats and points toward one of the service stations where the parked Jeeps are kept and gives him an order, before speaking to the boy and pointing in the same direction. Ari pulls at the Corporal's hand to draw him in the direction, as the German briefly looks after them with a satisfied expression.

"Gentlemen", Dietrich addresses the Rats directly, as he finally approaches them, "we have additional orders to negotiate with the Sheikh and win him as an ally in this endeavor." Moffit looks curious now, while Troy asks right away: "So they are attacking your old fort." Dietrich nods with a grim expression. "According to the reports of a scouting unit they will reach the village by the end of the day, if nothing happens to delay them during the day." "Then let's attack them", the American Sergeant suggests and the German is gritting his teeth fighting to keep any outward sign from showing of how much the American impulsiveness unnerves him. With forced calmness, he explains: "Sergeant Troy, our objective is to outrun them, win allies and otherwise approach stealthily. Attacking a superior number of modern tanks is rather the opposite of a stealthy approach." "The Captain is right, Troy", Moffit finally decides to intercede, before the situation between the two stubborn men can get out of hand.

Briefly showing an expression that looks like Troy feels utterly betrayed by Moffit siding with Dietrich and a surprised glance from the German Captain, all three pick up more neutral stances. "Doctor Andrews has provided us with an extensive med kit to offer medical assistance in trade for the Bedouins' support should this be required", Dietrich explains calmly and shows them the extended med kit. "Excellent idea", Moffit agrees. "We obtained some dark camouflage in approximately your size, Captain." Dietrich frowns. "What is 'approximately' supposed to mean in this context?" "That the length should fit fine enough, but ..." The German merely raises his eyebrows not lowering himself to asking the question outright. "You're still too skinny for the stuff to fit well", Troy intercedes and throws an almost accusatory glare Dietrich, as if this was his fault. "I am not the one who blew up supply trucks with food for starving soldiers", the Captain merely retorts with biting sarcasm. At least, the absolutely appropriate audience is at the receiving end of this scathing statement.

Not bothering to prolong this banter with Troy, he turns towards Moffit. "Major Bracken told me that Graf von Stolberg offered him to negotiate with a member of British nobility, if such a one was available." Moffit looks at Dietrich with an aloof expression. "I am not a member of British nobility, Captain." The German Captain is wearing one of his sly expressions they know from many a trap he has sprung at them. "So you have said already, Sergeant Moffit. But I doubt that the count knows the blood line of every blue-blooded British soldier in North Africa in addition to every German and Italian one. Congratulations, you Lordship, you have just been accepted in the ranks of British nobility at least as far as negotiating with von Stolberg and Gebsattel is involved. This is our only back-up option in case they refuse to speak with a convicted traitor." Troy is grinning from ear to ear at Moffit's surprised expression. "Brilliant idea, Capt'n."

Hitch who has been listening in is grinning in equal bemusement, as he cites Arthur Conan Doyle: "You know, Watson, I don't mind confessing to you that I have always had an idea that I would have made a highly efficient criminal." Moffit laughs out loud while Dietrich scowls, apparently unfamiliar with the quote. "Sherlock Holmes", Hitch explains and the Captain relaxes slightly and his tone sounds more sarcastic than angry: "Did you just try to call me a criminal, Private?" Trying his best disarming smile, Hitch explains: "You sure are too honorable for a criminal, but you're sly enough to copy the way of thinking just like Sherlock Holmes. That's all I wanted to say." A brief amused smile passes over Dietrich's face, before he regains his neutral expression. "Do not make me regret to have pardoned you from your punishment, Private Hitchcock!" "I'd never do that", Hitch says with conviction and Dietrich already doubts the words will keep their meaning for any longer than the first hair-brained idea occurs to one of the four. "You should not give promises you can't keep, Private", the Captain admonishes with a stern expression and slightly ironic undertone. "I'd never do that, Cap!", Hitch smiles openly to which the German merely sighs. "We should get going." "Yeah, let's shake it!", Troy shouts enthusiastically and Dietrich suspects the American by now to actually enjoy his unease at the expression.

Before the ride, the German officer puts on his now American Crusher cap and pulls his long-serving desert goggles over his eyes to protect them from the sand the fast-paced ride in the Jeep will throw into his face, also fastening the strap so that the cap will not be blown off. Climbing into the Jeep's front seat next to Tully who gives an acknowledging nod, Dietrich waves his right arm in an automatic gesture to signal the other Jeep to follow. "Do you actually expect us to know your sign language?", Troy shouts from the back of his and Hitch's Jeep. Now it is the German's term to look surprised. "Considering that you have spied on me for almost a year, I would have thought that you are familiar with it by now. It is less of a top secret code than others which have been deciphered by your side", Dietrich counters with an almost amused expression while trying to hide that he has not even consciously thought about using the gesture which has become second nature to him in the past two years as a Panzer commander in North Africa. After a brief moment of awkward silence, the German finally explains the most frequently used signs to them, signalling to "go", "stop", "turn to the left or right", "speed up" or "slow down", as he knows he will use them without a second thought.

At the second attempt, Hitch and Tully speed up their vehicles at the arm signal and Tully quickly takes the lead over the dunes. Automatically, Hans Dietrich observes their surroundings which is more challenging from the much faster moving Jeep than it has been from his Kübelwagen or halftrack. From time to time, he glances at his driver who looks coolly concentrated in spite of the speedy ascent and descent of dune ridges. Moffit keeps his eyes mostly trained on the German quietly musing on his thoughts and feelings regarding the man. His earlier conflict with Troy, but more so the grudgingly shared youth stories of the young officer have indeed not left him as unaffected as he would have liked to make himself believe even more so than his American friend. How should he deal with the man who has saved his life more than once, even when he has still been a loyal German officer? The realization that they have actually more in common than he would have liked to think or admit has hit him hard. From youthful adventures at desert digs to school days spent in the Germany of the mid-1920s, from European upper middle class upbringing providing him with knowledge of arts and culture foreign to the Americans to a gentlemanly behaviour completely amiss in the U.S. army most of the time, Moffit realizes that he has far more in common with Dietrich than any of the other Rats. Several of the aspects which have made him stick out among the American subgroup of the LRDG are exactly what he is sharing with the German who keeps his gaze trained on the dunes in constant concentration unawares of the British Sergeant's scrutiny.

Two hours later sand clouds can be seen on the horizon and Dietrich points the closest dune ridge underneath which he signals to stop. Troy jumps off his Jeep, just as the German officer climbs out of Tully's vehicle. Together they scale the last part of the dune until reaching the ridge at the top where they lay down to observe. Troy hands the scowling Captain his binoculars after having taken a first gaze at the source of the dust cloud. "Major Stolberg?", Dietrich asks while adjusting the binoculars to fit his eyes. Troy shrugs. "Dunno, Cap." The German swallows a biting remark at the worthless comment while trying to discern himself what is causing the disturbance in the desert. Neither can he make out the characteristic shapes of tanks or half-tracks, nor of trucks or Jeeps. Only when looking with intense concentration can Hans Dietrich discern the moving shapes of panicked fleeing animals. "This looks like goats and some camels", he says with incredulity audible in his voice. "What?", Troy sounds equally doubtful, as he reaches for the binoculars the Captain hands him immediately. "They do not move as a herd, but run in wild panic", Dietrich comments with a musing tone, before his voice gets a darker edge: "Possibly the Major has found some helpless targets in their herders and owners. It seems that your wish to provide a distraction which will delay his movement has been granted by fate itself."

"That's not what I had in mind", Troy growls and when he finally recognizes the shapes of the beasts as well and snarls in ways of confirmation: "If I get my hands on that bastard..." Dietrich merely raises his eyebrows: "Please keep in mind that we are to take the Major alive and beating up prisoners is violating the Geneva convention." "Then, I'll challenge him to a duel. That's something these aristocrats do, don't they?" The German Captain looks actually bemused by the idea, as he contradicts: "You couldn't, Sergeant, as you are incapable of giving satisfaction in the Major's eyes. I could challenge him though or Sergeant Moffit, if we can sell him off as British nobility." Troy gives him an almost incredulous look. "You're not serious, are you?" "That will depend on the Major's behaviour towards those civilians and the Sheikh's townspeople", Dietrich answers in a far darker and more serious tone than Troy would have expected.

As they return to the cars, Dietrich instructs both drivers to take a turn to the left which will take them further away from the source of the herd's flight. "Watch out for fleeing animals!", the Captain warns them. "If any of you hear artillery fire, raise alarm immediately! Major von Stolberg's column is the most likely source of the commotion." All four soldiers nod their confirmation and while Troy and Dietrich get back into their respective vehicles, Tully and Hitch start the Jeeps' motors to take off immediately.

An hour later, they have avoided the herds and the battle causing their panic completely. Dietrich's direction has taken them on the route even out of earshot from the German convoy, if indeed Major von Stolberg has been behind the attack. Nonetheless, the German officer insists on informing Captain Boggs of the potential location of the Major's unit, before continuing the ride toward the desert town. After another hour, the oasis town becomes visible on the horizon and Dietrich's tense posture relaxes slightly, as he can make out clearly that the tank brigade has not yet arrived here and the walls and houses appear intact enough to show that they are not too late. "Turn to your hideout from last time!", Dietrich shouts at Tully to be heard in spite of the headwind. The Kentuckian nods briefly and shifts his matchstick from the right to the left side of his mouth as the only indication that he has heard the command.

"You want to walk into town?", Moffit shouts from the back. Dietrich answers with a silent nod, before adding: "I would rather check out the situation in disguise myself before risking your lives!" Moffit eyes him cautiously, but there is no indication on the Captain's face that he is anything but dead serious about risking his own life before those of the men under his command, if he sees a higher chance of success in this way. He should not be surprised, Moffit considers. After all, Dietrich has always been at the front line of the fray, never staying in the back for his own protection. Only the feeling of being one of the men for whom the Captain would put his life on the line instead of his opponent in this fray is a strange sensation. But the German is a man of principle. Whoever is his under his command and responsibility is automatically included among his wards.

Hitch scowls slightly, as he sees Tully change direction from their direct approach of the town, but follows nonetheless. As they near the set of rocks which have provided them with cover only a few days ago, he recognizes the location and finally realizes the Captain's intent to take cover there. "What's Dietrich up to?", Troy mutters to himself, as he remembers the location as well and wishes that the German would be riding with them instead of Tully and Moffit, so that he could question him now instead of the British Sergeant doing just that. As they halt at their old camp location, Hans Dietrich is briefly reminded of how much has happened in the few days since he has last been here. It almost feels like an eternity, although it has been less than a week.

Getting out of the vehicle with a graceful motion and taking off the desert goggles, the German surveys the surroundings briefly. "One of you must keep watch for the Major's column approaching the town!", he orders and Troy finally nods stepping forward as a volunteer. "I'll fix up the Jeeps", Tully volunteers and Dietrich accepts the offer, being experienced enough with the damage the sand can cause to any vehicle within mere hours and the necessity for maintenance activities immediately. "I would accompany you, if that is reasonable", Moffit offers seriously. "I will try to find out whether negotiation is an option at all. If this is the case, your support is most welcome, Sergeant", the German replies matter-of-factly. "Follow me at a distance, stay in the close vicinity of the town without being seen and I will signal you, as soon as I have been able to discern the situation."

Turning to Hitchcock, the German adds: "Keep watching the town, independent of whether Sergeant Moffit should join me there." Then, he addresses all of them: "If I have given no signal within the next three to four hours, do not expect me to return, you take command, Sergeant Troy, report to Captain Boggs and continue with the mission without me!" Sam Troy is already starting to voice his protest, as Dietrich interrupts him easily predicting his intent: "Capturing the Major takes priority over any futile rescue attempts. If I do not contact you, I will be dead already. Did I make myself clear, Sergeant?" With clenched jaws the American nods curtly looking for all the world discontent beyond measure. Unlike Boggs, Dietrich knows him well enough to be able to predict his behaviour with a certain routine and give him direct orders to prevent some unwanted actions.

Once he is assured that his message has been received as intended the German starts to put on the kaftan over his uniform wincing slightly as he has to stretch his right arm into the air. "Should I give you a lift to get closer?", Hitch asks, but Dietrich merely shakes his head. "We'd better not get spotted and provoke the Arabs unnecessarily." With a wry smile he adds dryly: "Besides, I'm far better up to walking than the last time." With this the German turns around and starts walking briskly toward the familiar town, while Jack Moffit starts to follow him at a certain distance to be close enough when called to assist.

All kinds of memories are connected to this place for Hans Dietrich. Months of gaining control of the fort and town, only to lose it again after a few weeks are behind him, as are the epidemic of his men and town, the long ride through the desert to obtain medication for the sick which started and ended here, treating the town's people and celebrating the liberation of sickness or Allied occupation, just as well as the hostile take-over of his fort and men through the SS and the massacre among the Jewish inhabitants.

Only once Hans Dietrich gets close enough to the town to require attention, he stops letting his mind wander to the memories of the past and focuses on the present situation. At first, the Captain suspects that the town will be too quiet without the rumbling sound of vehicles, but the cries of goats, camels, donkeys and chickens which roam the streets freely easily make up for that. With his head held low to not show his face too clearly, Dietrich walks along the streets at a slower speed which makes him blend in better with the local populace who have adapted their pace to the unforgiving desert heat.

At the main square, he tenses briefly as he can still see the blood stains from the massacre a few days ago where now Bedouins walk with their donkeys and camels in tow among rows of small stalls of the re-opened bazaar. With practice, the German finds his way to the old caravanserai and the court yard of which houses the tents of the Sheikh and his family. Only upon approaching there, he draws attention for the first time, as one of Sheikh Sulaiman's personal guards stares at him. "As-salamu 'alaikum", Hans Dietrich greets the man politely. "Wa-'alaikumu s-salam", the Arab replies automatically, then squints at the tall man standing before him. Finally, recognition dawns on his face, as he continues in the local Arabic dialect: "*Faris alsahra, you were supposed to leave the town with your men.*" Dietrich nods in affirmative and keeps a resolute, yet polite tone, as he replies: "*And so I did. But I had to return to warn Sheikh Sulaiman of a great danger for this town and his people. Bring me to him please!*" The guard evaluates the words and finally motions for the German to follow him into the large tent Dietrich knows as Sheikh Sulaiman's head quarter.

Bowing to the Sheikh, the Arab announces their visitor's identity who also bows politely. Sheikh Sulaiman sounds astounded as well as annoyed, as he speaks: "*Hauptmann, I told you to leave this town with all your men, never to return.*" Dietrich keeps his expression carefully neutral, as he argues: "*And I did what you requested of me. I would not have returned, if not for a great danger for you and your people in this town, Sheikh Sulaiman. You have met different soldiers from both armies...*" The Sheikh's expression darkens considerably. "*I have and I wish none of them to ever take this fort again. We will defend this town from now on.*" The German Captain nods solemnly. "*That is what I expected. A great battalion of war machines approaches this town and will arrive either this evening or the next morning. They do not intend to take the fort, but to kill every man, woman, child and animal, to destroy every building and your water source to make this town utterly uninhabitable.*"

The Arab leader looks shocked at the description, but the young officer's expression is grave enough to communicate his worry and disdain for the grim practice he has just described. "*Why do you tell me this, faris alsahra?*", the Sheikh questions the European's motives. "*On the one hand to warn you and give you a chance to bring women and children safely out of the town in time. On the other hand to offer you an alliance in fighting your attackers who are also the enemies of me and my men.*" The Arab leader looks thoughtful. "*I need to discuss this with my advisers and my sons.*" Dietrich bows his head having expected the answer. "*If you allow me to call one of my men who is also fluent in Arabic, I would bring him in for further negotiations.*" The Sheikh nods. "*You may call one of your men, but no more than that.*" The German nods content with his success and turns to leave after this dismissal, as the Sheikh starts to shout orders to his men.

Now, Dietrich makes his way out of the town at a much swifter pace, not worrying about detection any more. Several armed riders draw even more attention than he, as they gallop through the streets to leave the town in different directions. The Sheikh has sent either scouts or calls for reinforcement. After waving in the direction of the dunes where he suspects Sergeant Moffit to be hidden, the German stays at the rim of the town to await the Brit whom he can see approaching swiftly soon thereafter. "I assume you were successful, Captain", the former Cambridge scholar states, once he gets into close enough range for speaking without shouting. "I warned them of the danger and they are willing to negotiate after the Sheikh has spoken with his advisers and sons", the German officer replies matter-of-factly, as he starts walking next to the British Sergeant who nods in appreciation. Having a partner for negotiations with tribal leaders is a new sensation for both of them who until now have been the only one with knowledge of the local language to be able to interact at all.

"You have studied the local culture, have you not?", the German starts out cautiously. "Is there any faux pas which I should be aware of to avoid antagonizing the council? The Sheikh is sympathetic towards me, his advisers are not, or at least not all of them have a positive attitude toward any outsiders, as I have learned at my last negotiation a few days ago." Moffit studies the town's buildings, while he collects his thoughts. "I would recommend never to ridicule their believes, Islam and its prophets, their ancestors or their honor, but I suppose you are aware of that after successfully having dealt with these people for two years, Captain." Dietrich merely nods as an answer. "The Bedouins are far more tolerant and accepting of outsiders due to their nomadic culture and frequent interactions with other tribes, so they are ideal partners for negotiations from which both Allies and Axis forces have profited in the past. I would recommend bringing some sort of gift for the Sheikh usually, but we are rather short of anything I fear." The German smiles wryly. "Indeed. With the exception of my hand gun, I have nothing that could be of any value and I would rather not lose that, unless it becomes unavoidable."

As both of them near the court yard with the Sheikh and his advisers already sitting in a semi circle on several chairs placed around a central camp fire, two guards approach them with the classical greeting "As-salamu 'alaikum" to which both Europeans reply with "Wa-'alaikumu s-salam". The Sheikh stands up to greet them formally and introduces his two advisers who both scowl at the foreigners suspiciously and his oldest son as well as his oldest nephew who are close to the age of the two soldiers and bear grim expressions. "*This is Sergeant Jack Moffit*", Dietrich introduces his new co-negotiator. "*We all know you from your past deeds, Hauptmann Dietrich*", the Sheikh struggles with the foreign name making it sound almost like as jumbled Arabic word, "*you have helped this town before and proven your honesty before Allah in the Bisha'a, faris alsahra.*" Hearing the name of honor for the first time from the Arabs themselves and not just the Jewish boy, Moffit raises his eyebrows, but otherwise shows no outward sign of his emotions or thoughts, while the Sheikh continues: "*We are therefore willing to negotiate with you and the man you vouch for. Explain the situation to the whole council in detail please.*"

Dietrich bows politely before addressing the council: "*You all have experienced the ways of the leaders who have replaced me in command two weeks ago.*" All Arabs present look grimly without giving any affirmation. "*The man who is coming here to attack you with a large force of men and war machines is equally cruel and barbaric, disregarding honor and without respect for the lives of women or children. On the contrary, his intent is to kill you all, along with your families, your animals, to destroy the buildings of your town and its water source. He has done this before in other locations.*" Even though not a trained actor of Marcello's caliber, the German knows when to make a dramatic pause to increase effect. Along with Moffit he observes how the described atrocities cause the Bedouins to grimly exchange glances, before he continues: "*This man is our common enemy and we intend to capture him, before he can reach this town and cause you any harm. If you are willing to aid us in this cause, we offer you a temporary alliance and our guarantee that we have no intention of taking this town's fort again.*" The two advisers look skeptical, while the two young Bedouins from the Sheikh's family appear only too eager to join the fray.

"*What would such an alliance require from us?*", the Sheikh asks cautiously. "*If you are willing to send some of your warriors, we intend to attack our enemies in the night. We have several more soldiers as back-up, but they cannot get too near, because the war machines are too loud, unlike your horses*", Dietrich explains. "*So you want to sacrifice us, before sending your own soldiers!*", one of the advisers shouts with bitterness. "*Give me a horse and I will charge into battle myself alongside them!*", Dietrich snaps, as his wounded pride gets the better of him. Moffit quickly places his hand on the Captain's shoulder with the intention to keep him from losing his patience completely, startling the German enough to stop his outraged reply. Meanwhile, the Sheikh raises his hand to stop the escalating discussion signaling his own advisers to reduce their aggression, before he addresses the young officer: "*I have once lent you one of my warhorses and you have taken good care of Khalil. I am willing to do that again, faris alsahra. But I want to know what you intend with my warriors, if I decide to send them with you.*" Dietrich looks briefly stunned that his outburst has not harmed his negotiations, but caused an unexpected success. Moffit is no less surprised, although he has been able to observe that the younger man's assessment of the Sheikh being sympathetic towards him is quite true.

"*I have four soldiers with me who are to help silently capture the enemy commander, take out his personal guard and blow up their war machines. Your men would provide a distraction, riding into the camp, putting fire to tents and cutting down enemies running from the tents to fight. Before they have properly organised their defense and are able to use superior guns and war machines, your riders will have the upper hand. After the first few minutes, your warriors can retreat, when our armed vehicles will charge into battle*", the German officer explains with the practiced ease of an experienced battle commander. "*Even if you do not want to risk your own men for an attack, you could help us by lending us horses to silently approach the camp which we cannot do with our vehicles.*" The Sheikh listens with creased brows. "*Father, we cannot let a foreigners fight our battle!*", the Sheikh's son of approximately Moffit's age intercedes with his head held high just as proudly as the German Captain. "*Inshallah, Uncle!*", his younger cousin provides back-up with a similar stance. "*We will ride into battle with faris alsahra and fight against the honorless dogs, as he has suggested. I will lead our men myself!*", the Sheikh's son continues proudly with an expression that dares his father to contradict him. "*If it is your wish to ride into battle, my son, you may do so. The strategy sounds reasonable and will not sacrifice you for their battles*", Sheikh Sulaiman speaks to his son proud of his daring demeanor. Turning to the German and the British soldier, he continues: "*You may ride Khalil into battle, as you have proven yourself worthy of such a warhorse. To your soldiers I am willing to lend four of our most reliable and fastest mules.*" Dietrich exchanges a quiet glance with Moffit who nods and adds quietly: "I can ride, as can Troy given that he has grown up on a ranch. The other two can take the Jeeps, but we should also consider the possibility of having to flee with the Major and the Captain and bringing two extra horses is actually reasonable."

The German turns back to the Sheikh and accepts the offer with ornate expressions of gratitude. The Sheikh's son steps toward him now with a grim expression, as he speaks: "*I will lead you to Khalil and have the mules brought to you, faris alsahra. My men will be ready in an hour.*" "*We must not forget that we are civilized people, Hassan!*", the Sheikh admonishes his son, before he turns to Dietrich: "*You and your soldier are our guests until our warriors are ready for battle.*" Bowing their heads in equal gestures of respect, the two Europeans take seats at the camp where the Sheikh's wives and adult daughters hand them glasses with fresh mint tea and plates with rice covered with roasted vegetables. "Maklube, a traditional Bedouin dish", Moffit starts to explain Bedouin meal traditions falling into his lecture mode automatically. The British scholar is most delighted to have gained his most attentive audience since joining the LRDG, as the German actually listens with a curious expression, while enjoying his fresh lunch. The Sheikh frequently interrupts his own meal with giving orders to his men, sons and his nephew.

Finally, Hassan ibn Sulaiman approaches Dietrich and Moffit and politely asks them to follow him to a part of the court yard where the Sheikh's own horses are kept. Khalil, the dark Arab horse is still as beautiful a steed as Dietrich has remembered him from the two weeks spent together crossing the desert to the Red Cross Station and back to obtain direly needed antibiotics. Moffit feels as awed as the last time when they have met the Captain with this wonderful beast. The German steps toward the horse with an actual smile on his face and speaks softly in Arabic: "*Do you still remember me and our joint ordeal, old friend?*" Khalil seems to recognize him indeed, as he snorts and presses his snout against the man's hand. Hassan suddenly draws his saber and Dietrich as well as Moffit tense automatically reaching for the weapons at their belts. But the young Arab lays the blade on his second forearm to present it to the Captain, as he asks: "*Can you fight with a saber, faris alsahra?*" Dietrich is briefly stunned by the question, before he answers with unconcealed pride: "*Yes. My father taught me.*" Moffit remembers reading that Hans Dietrich's father has been a cavalry Captain in the great war and thus would still have learned saber fighting. Teaching his son would make perfect sense, when Dietrich Sr. has wanted to groom the boy into a future officer, only that technology has progressed fast enough to turn this into an obsolete weapon skill.

Meanwhile, Hassan ibn Sulaiman has put the saber back into its sheath which they notice now has been held in his left hand and not attached to his belt. Both sheath and blade he holds out to the German who eyes the Arab with cautious wariness and quickly throws a questioning glance in Moffit's direction. Moffit gives a slight nod of encouragement and Dietrich finally takes the proffered weapon. "*My father insisted that Khalil must not be ridden into battle without wielding a proper weapon*", Hassan explains. "*Send him my regards. I will return this to you after the battle*", Dietrich answers politely. The young Arab looks almost affronted. "*You do not understand, Hauptmann. This blade is yours to wield in this battle and many to come. You fight for us, so you have earned it.*" The German looks actually surprised now, but schools his face into his neutral mask fairly quickly. "*Then I thank you and your father even more. It will be an honor to fight alongside you, Hassan ibn Sulaiman!*" The young Bedouin warrior now smiles even, as he answers: "*And it will an honor to fight with you and your soldiers.*" If only his father could be here to see that, Moffit muses with a well-concealed smile of his own. Did General Atkins even consider that he has hired Rommel's junior version of Thomas Edward Lawrence, the British Sergeant asks himself with actual curiosity. Even though having successfully negotiated with Arabs on many occasions, inspiring them to ride into battle alongside him has never even occurred to him. Though reading Dietrich's briefly baffled expression, the German has not expected this development either.

As Dietrich mounts his Arab horse and Moffit one of the mules, Hassan keeps the other animals' reins which he hands them afterwards to guide the beasts along. Then, the young Arab picks up his rifle, wields it on the back and mounts his own brown Arab steed. His younger cousin by the name of Murat ibn Muhammad rides up to them, followed by two dozens of Arab riders who all look ready for battle and mount either camels, horses or mules. The two tall Europeans stand out among the mass of riders and Moffit doubly so as he is the only one not wearing a kaftan, but his short-sleeved beige uniform. Side by side, the two soldiers ride at the front to lead the way to their camp.

Soon Hitch can see the group of riders approaching their camp directly. "Hey, Sarge!", he calls to Troy. "You wanna check those guys out?" Troy moves from his position at the top of a dune looking in the direction of the German approach to Hitch's position and takes a look through his binoculars. "One of them has a light uniform. Must be Moffit. Then the tall guy next to him should be Dietrich." On horseback the two miles are much much quicker than on foot and the figures become easily recognizable within a minute. "What did they do to raise a whole Arab army? Should be more careful next time we send them off on some Arab errand together", Troy mutters jokingly and Hitch next to him grins widely popping a bubble of his chewing gum.

Tully looks up curiously, as Dietrich, Moffit, Hassan and Murat ride into their camp, while the rest of the riders surround them in a semicircle. Troy whistles briefly, as he sees the three additional mules led by Dietrich and Moffit. "What did you do to get those", he points at the mules, "and these guys?", he points at the Arabs. Moffit dons his most serious expression, as he replies: "I fear we had to sell one of you into slavery." Dietrich merely raises his eyebrows and adds in a matching tone: "It would have been cheaper, if we had taken the asses which would have been the more appropriate mounts for you anyways." Troy and Hitch look nonplussed for a few moments, while Tully has already started to grin, as he is more familiar with Moffit's dry humor from sharing the car with him. "I hate those Europeans' sense of humor", Troy growls in annoyance and Hitch nods. "It's even worse, now that there's two of them", the Private agrees, while the two mentioned Europeans exchange amused glances.

Turning more serious again, Dietrich approaches them after dismounting his steed. "Any news on the Major and his position?" "None so far", Troy replies eyeing the German warily and noticing the saber at the right side of his belt for the first time. "Did you join the desert raiders now?", he asks jokingly. "Only the Bedouins", the Captain smirks. "The Sheikh insisted that Khalil is only to be ridden into battle wielding a proper weapon." Then, he adds: "We need to contact Captain Boggs and exchange information on the Major's position and that we may change our strategy, as we have two dozen Arabs willing to ride into that camp at night and cause the first wave of a distraction. That should buy the Captain and his Jeeps enough time to approach unnoticed and attack as a second wave." Troy grins. "Nice plan. I like it." Dietrich looks actually bemused at the comment, as he states sarcastically: "Your approval of my planned strategy is most welcome, Sergeant."

Then, the German officer turns to Tully and asks him to contact Boggs' unit. Immediately, the silent private starts to work on their radio unit, as Troy turns to Moffit who introduces him to the two Arabs who eye the American soldiers and their Jeeps with curiosity. Hitch blows a bubble which earns him a reprimanding look from the British Sergeant and then decides to busy himself with preparing his own Jeep for the coming ride. The younger Arab follows him curiously and points at some parts of the vehicle which the Private tries to explain through improvised sign language. Meanwhile, the older Arab is content with having met their allies up close and rides back to his men leaving Moffit and Troy standing with the four mules. "So what did you really do to gain a small army of Bedouin warriors?", Troy asks the Brit again who humors him with a more serious answer this time. "The Captain quite efficiently appealed to their sense of pride and honor." "Did he now?", Troy grins widely, as his eyes move to the German Captain who is speaking on the radio. Moffit looks almost equally amused. "At first, I thought he had utterly offended the Arabs and they would stop negotiating, but it was the right thing for this audience, it seems. Saying all he needed was a horse to charge into battle himself whether he'd get any back-up or not, made those two young fellows rise to the challenge of proving that they would not let a foreigner outshine them. The older one is the Sheikh's own son, the other", Moffit points at the young Arab who curiously looks at their Jeep's equipment Hitch is showing him with a plethora of gestures, "is the Sheikh's nephew."

In the meantime, Hans Dietrich reports their successful negotiations with the Bedouins, before he coordinates the strategy and planned attack with Captain Boggs who has clearer information on Major Stolberg's location. As they have found the battle field from which the animals previously have fled, they have come upon several mutilated corpses of an Arab caravan which have shown Captain Gebsattel's classical handiwork. Clenching his jaws at the news, the German reins in his anger at his former fellow officers who dishonor all principles he has been taught from early youth. Tully observes Dietrich's reaction, as he bites down hard on his matchstick, almost breaking it. Briefly they exchange glances, before the German officer continues coordinating their two stage strategy agreeing to meet before the actual attack 5 miles to the west of the Major's camp.

Perusing Troy's map of the area, Hans Dietrich shows not only the Rats but also the two Arab leaders of the group of warriors the location of their enemy's camp and the meeting point with their allies. They agree to send Tully and Hitch along with the Jeeps, while Moffit, Troy and the Captain himself will be riding with their new Bedouin allies.