Disclaimer: I do not own the Rat Patrol and receive no payment for this story. Many thanks to those who have positively reviewed my previous attempts. You inspire me and I am so grateful.
The Zeus Raid Part 3
Chapter 1
The Rat Patrol was summoned to the office of Major Lawrence, the Benghazi base commander. They had just completed a mission photographing secret plans from Dietrich's base and delivered them to the Major for development. Their success was largely due to the distraction provided by Hitch's childhood friend, Isla MacKenzie, nicknamed Zu-Zu, a USO performer who volunteered to help them. They were just awaiting orders to return to their home base or take on a new assignment.
They entered the office and saluted the Major. They were somewhat surprised to see Isla was present as well.
"Have a seat, gentlemen," the major said, and the Rats sat on the chairs indicated.
"We are grateful for your securing the plans for us. The Germans are planning a large offensive and we've already taken steps to thwart their efforts," Major Lawrence informed them. "Captain Boggs wants you to return to your base as soon as possible," he glanced at Isla who was sitting quietly.
"Due to Miss MacKenzie's assistance with our mission, her USO group left without her, bringing in a temporary replacement. We are responsible for her protection until arrangements can be made for her to rejoin her group. You will escort her back to your base."
"Begging your pardon, sir," Troy spoke, "wouldn't it be safer for her to travel with a convoy instead of going across the desert in our jeeps?"
"This comes from General Gleason, himself. You are to provide transportation and protection for her and return to your base," the major explained with the implication that things were out of his hands, and he didn't fully understand why she wasn't going with a convoy either. "Gather whatever supplies you need and good luck. It was delightful meeting you, Miss MacKenzie and we are grateful for your help," he shook hands with Isla and dismissed the men.
"I'm sorry to be a bother," Isla said as they exited the building. "I can tell you guys aren't happy with this situation."
"We're just worried for your safety," Moffitt explained. "We have to pass through German occupied territory in order to get home. There is always the chance we may have to engage the enemy."
"It really would be much safer for you to return with a convoy or be flown to wherever you can catch up with the USO," Hitch remarked, trying to understand what was going on.
"Once again, I am in your hands and apologize for upsetting your normal routine," she replied sincerely.
"It's not your fault, Isla," Tully drawled. "Who can ever figure out why officers make the decisions they do."
"Tully, Hitch, get the jeeps ready and supplied. We'll leave first thing in the morning," Troy said.
"Excuse me, Sam," Isla asked, "but what do I do about my costume trunks? They won't fit in the jeeps."
"Hitch, after you finish with the jeeps, check, and see what arrangements need to be made," Troy answered.
"Sure thing, Sarge," Hitch replied and then turned to Isla, "I know how you travel; you can only take one small suitcase. We don't have room for anything else."
"How about a small suitcase and my train case, if I hold it on my lap," she negotiated, and Hitch couldn't help but grin.
"There's only room for one small case in the jeep," he said.
Dinner in the mess hall was like all meals with Isla in the mess hall. Soldiers were constantly approaching to speak with her, complimenting her performance in last evening's show or just trying to talk with a pretty woman for a few minutes. She was pleasant and friendly with them all, but it annoyed the heck out of Hitch and the others. They didn't enjoy having their meal constantly interrupted, or their conversations with Isla.
All four men were trying to understand the general's insistence that Isla accompany them across the desert. It just made sense that it was safer in a convoy, under the protection of the Red Cross, with them providing escort to help in case of trouble. Troy was particularly disturbed by this turn of events. He had a bad feeling that something was being kept from him and he didn't like not knowing the full story.
Early the following morning, Troy and Moffitt joined Hitch and Tully in the motor pool where the jeeps were stocked and ready. Hitch was fastening gaiters around Isla's pants legs and desert boots while giving her final instructions.
"Keep that helmet on your head and if any one of us tells you to 'get down,' then you hit the floor of the jeep with your head down. Understand?" His voice was sterner than usual, betraying his concern for this mission.
"Completely," she agreed. Noticing the charm bracelet on her wrist, he added, "If you're going to wear that, make sure you keep it tucked into your sleeve, so it doesn't reflect the sunlight.
She did so and took her place in Bertha's passenger seat. While she covered her hair and face with scarves and donned the combat helmet and goggles, the guys were looking at the map Moffitt had spread across Olive's hood, checking the route he outlined with his finger.
"This way should help keep us away from most of the German installations but there's always the chance of meeting a convoy or column," his voice carried the worry they were all feeling about keeping a civilian safe. Not just any civilian but Isla, someone Hitch had known all his life and a new friend to them all. Tully was working overtime on his matchstick and Hitch was vigorously chomping his gum.
"Did you get everything squared away with her trunks?' Troy asked his driver.
"Yeah, Sarge, they're going to ship them out in a few days on their next convoy. I don't understand why she isn't going with them," the private was not pleased.
"I don't get it either," Troy agreed, "but the sooner we start, the sooner we finish. Let's shake it." They took their places and set out.
A few hours later they stopped at an oasis for the jeeps to cool down and be serviced. As they did whenever the opportunity arose, they refilled their water supply.
"You doing okay?" Troy asked as he handed Isla a canteen.
"Tickety-boo," she said taking a drink before stretching her back and rolling her shoulders. "Can't say this is the smoothest ride I've ever had. How about letting me drive a bit?" she grinned.
"No way," Troy returned her grin and drank some water.
"Still worried?" she asked.
"I'll be worried until we have you safely back to base," he responded. "It's just the way I am."
"Jeeps are ready to go, Sarge," Hitch reported and helped Isla back into the passenger seat.
The next several hours were uneventful as the jeeps skimmed across the sand. For once, Troy liked uneventful. He couldn't quiet the feeling he had about being kept out of the loop for some reason. Why were the higher ups risking Isla's life in this way?
"Sarge?" Hitch called, slowly the jeep. "I caught a glimmer of something and there's dust at ten o'clock." Troy raised the binoculars to his eyes and looked in the direction Hitch mentioned.
"What is it, Troy?" Moffitt asked as Tully pulled the second jeep next to the first.
"German patrol," Troy responded. "We need to keep from being seen."
"We can duck behind those dunes," Moffitt pointed, "and keep out of sight." He nodded to Tully who steered the jeep to follow Doc's instructions. They managed to get away without the German's knowledge.
Mid-afternoon, they pulled into the cover of a wadi to again service the jeeps and grab a quick, cold lunch of K-rations before heading on their way. Troy was becoming more worried at the absence of Germans and kept a vigilant lookout.
At dusk, they found protection in another wadi and Hitch prepared a hot meal while Tully kept watch. Troy and Moffitt were in deep discussion as they drank their respective coffee and tea. They were still debating the order to take Isla with them. Her offer to help Hitch with dinner was declined so she spread a blanket on the sand and began doing stretching exercises. The two sergeants absently watched her as they talked, and Tully had to remind himself to watch for the enemy instead of her movements. "How is it possible to get into those positions," he wondered. Hitch was focused on dinner preparation and seemed oblivious.
Soon she was resting one hand on the cooled hood of the jeep as she did leg swings, hip rolls, plies, etc. She dropped down into the splits and stretched her body, so it was flat on her outstretched leg and her hands were grasping a foot, then reversed sides.
"Ouch," Moffitt commented and for the first time she noticed she had an audience.
"Not at all," she said, still in the splits and bringing her torso to the center where she stretched forward, touching her nose to the ground. "With the way you guys get tossed about in those jeeps, you should stretch your muscles, so you don't end up with chronic back and shoulder pain."
"Dinner's ready," Hitch handed plates of food to Isla and Troy, then Moffitt and himself. "I'm keeping Tully's hot and will take it to him in a few minutes."
Isla watched Moffitt and Troy dig in before taking a tentative bite.
"This is actually good, Mark," she was impressed.
"Thanks," Hitch was pleased. "A friend in another unit taught me and gave me some recipes using what we have available."
"Were we ever thankful that he did," Troy teased. "Before that, his cooking was pretty miserable. If you could just teach him to bake, we'd be set."
"I don't think you'd have the ingredients readily available," Isla laughed.
"Your baking hasn't always been so great," Hitch joined in the teasing. "Seems to me I can recall a pie made with salt instead of sugar and a few cakes that didn't rise."
"Don't forget the biscuits you used for target practice," she added. "But I've improved."
"That's for certain," Moffitt agreed. "Those scones and the peach pie were excellent."
"You should try her Christmas fruitcake. It's so full of brandy it'll make you tipsy," Hitch continued.
"I hope to someday have the opportunity," Moffitt agreed. Hitch took Tully his meal and kept watch while the Kentuckian ate before cleaning up from the meal. Using a tarp, he created a lean-to so Isla could have a private place to wash, and heated water for her to use. She pulled her train case from the back of Tully's jeep and went towards the prepared area.
"Wait a minute," Hitch said, looking at the small suitcase in his jeep. "I thought I told you just one case."
"That's what I did," she smiled at him, "one case in your jeep and one in Tully's." She went behind the tarp to clean up as he shook his head, grinned, and muttered loud enough for her to hear,
"You're so high maintenance."
When finished, she returned the train case to Tully's jeep and pulled a sweater from the case in Bertha.
"It's amazing how cold it gets at night after being so abysmally hot during the day,' she said pulling the sweater over her head and putting her jacket back on. She tied a scarf around her neck and put on a pair of white gloves.
"I'm sorry we won't be able to have a fire tonight," Troy said. "We don't want to risk alerting any Germans in the area."
"Do you think they're out there?" she asked thoughtfully.
"Don't know," Troy was honest. "It's always a chance."
"And I'm a liability," she commented.
"Let's just say, with you along, as with any civilian, we're more cautious," Moffitt joined in.
"Will it keep you from doing your job?" she questioned.
"If we run into an attack, there's not a whole lot of choice," Troy explained. "We'll have to engage. We just won't go looking for a fight."
"So, my presence is putting you in danger, or at least, at risk," she said.
"With any luck, we won't run into any Germans," Moffitt tried to be cheerful, but they all knew that wasn't likely. Hitch relieved Tully on watch and the lanky private got his blankets from the jeep and was soon asleep. The others followed suit, with Isla sleeping in the lean-to.
