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.

26. The Safecracker Raid

Having known the area surrounding the desert town for months, Hans Dietrich has not faced a tough challenge by planning an efficient safe route to the Arab town. In addition, Tully proves his worth as a reliable and experienced driver, following the German Captain's instructions to his satisfaction. Both exchange precise and brief assessments of their chosen path, while adapting it to the situation of the shifting dunes. Private Lakatos observes the tall, lean officer with curiosity. Strangely, the beefy blond American driver looks more like the role model German of their textbooks and photos than the brown-haired young man who appears slightly too thin for his own uniform. The fading bruises and stitched gash on his forehead mostly hidden underneath the hairline are definitely not something he would have expected to see on a German officer either. Only his proud and stiff military stance, manner of speech, but not his accent which sounds perfectly like a Yankee to the Aussie, and the man's meticulously kept uniform are indications of his actual origin lying out of the U.S.. The Captain meanwhile ignores the Australian's scrutiny, as he constantly observes their surroundings with keen vigilance.

When they finally close in on the desert town mere two hours later in the afternoon, Dietrich sighs with relief. To arrive at his intended destination without being attacked or waylaid, is not something he takes for granted given his experiences in the North African desert war. The German starts slightly, as Troy taps him on the shoulder and points at a group of Bedouin riders gathered at the town entrance. "Friends of yours, Captain?" The addressed officer frowns before shaking his head slightly. "This is Prince Hassan's welcome committee I would say", Dietrich replies smoothly. The four riders armed with daggers, sabers and rifles indeed move in their direction at a moderate speed without drawing weapons, until the German Captain orders Tully to halt so that he can speak with them. "As-salamu 'alaikum, faris alsahra", the leader of the riders greets him with a polite bow. "Wa-'aleikum s-salam", Dietrich returns the greeting and gesture. "*The trial of the leader of the murderers of our brothers and the Sheikh's wife has started after lunchtime. Prince Hassan has ordered that I am to ask you if you wish to participate in it or be guided to the metal cupboard of the Ifrit immediately.*"

Dietrich scowls and considers the options. But independent of personal animosity, he has no wish to witness the trial and subsequent execution of the German Major von Stolberg. Participating in such actions against an officer of the Afrikakorps, however deserving of his just verdict the arrogant aristocrat may be, is not something he can easily accommodate with his conscience. Also, the Captain intends to return to the camp as quickly as possible. "*Please guide us to the fort where we will take care of the metal cupboard of the Ifrit*", Hans Dietrich addresses the Bedouin warrior. Bowing to the German officer, the man mounts his horse again and leads their way toward the fort, after the Captain gets into the Jeep and orders Tully to follow the Arab at a slow pace. The Bedouin rider waves to several other Arab warriors equipped with rifles and some of the SS machine guns standing guard on the fortifications. Immediately, one of the men on the fort's walls waves back, signaling that he allows them to drive into the courtyard. Stopping the Jeep in front of the building that has once held Dietrich's office, the four men get out of the vehicle. The German officer explains to the leader of their guards what they intend to do and the Bedouin agrees, but insists that none of them wishes to enter the cursed building again which the Captain considers actually advantageous for them. When Tully tries to reach for the Tommy gun, Dietrich whispers harshly: "Leave the guns, Private! We need not provoke our allies." The Kentucky soldier looks briefly unhappy, but nods in understanding, shifting his matchstick slightly in his mouth which cannot hide his grim expression. Instead he checks his combat knife and fishes a hand grenade from the supply crate behind him. This armament the German Captain allows him to have, as it does not look like a weapon in the eyes of the Arabs.

"So where is this safe of yours, Captain?", the Hungarian-Australian soldier inquires. "Follow me, gentlemen", the German Captain speaks smoothly and turns on his heels to make his way through the office building's halls with determination. A feeling of apprehension grasps him however, as he nears his former office room. The blood stains in front of the door where the Rats have killed the SS guards have faded as little as the young officer's memories of his own experiences in there. Shaking his head slightly, he pushes the memories of Metzlich's brutal treatment and Waldheim's sadistic methods of interrogation to the back of his mind. Their mission here is important and he has to concentrate and focus on reality rather than let himself be haunted by his memories. Several bullet holes which have not been there before and the bloodstain where the ricocheted bullet has struck down the unaware Arab who has fired the machine gun at the safe tell quite clearly the tale of what has happened in here in the meantime, especially after Hans Dietrich has heard Prince Hassan's description.

Michael Lakatos steps toward the wall safe Dietrich is indicating to him and eyes the metal case intently. Then, the Australian turns back toward the three soldiers with him. "So who of you fellas has the keenest hearing and affinity for subtle work?", Private Lakatos inquires of the tall officer. When both the American Private and the Sergeant point at their Captain without a moment of doubt or hesitation, while the young German looks between them in silent bafflement, the Australian almost starts laughing. "You know that volunteering your senior officer to do your job is not the way in which armies work", Dietrich drawls sarcastically. "I told you before, Captain, that you're the most accomplished safecracker among all of us." Troy grins widely, before posing a question to the Aussie: "Did he tell you that he even picked the lock of his own desk? And his name literally means 'lockpick'. How can you be more qualified?" Dietrich snaps "Troy" with righteous indignation and glowers at the insolent American, but the Australian actually beats him to an answer: "My name means 'locksmith' in Hungarian. I know what you're talking about, fate and such. My granny, a Hungarian gypsy, would have told you all about how names and fate are never coincidental." "You hear that, Captain?", Troy inquires. "Spare me the superstitious nonsense, Troy. The Private told you himself that this is a gypsy story his grandmother would have told, not reality, Sergeant!", Dietrich scolds him in exasperation. "Please, continue by focusing on our task at hand. What is your proposition, Private Lakatos?"

The young soldier smiles at the exchange, but turns more sober when addressed by the German Captain. "Instructing all of you would take too long, also it is not something, everyone has an affinity for, as you seem to have according to your Sergeant's description. So, are you willing to learn the fine art of opening a safe without noise or mindless fiddling from me, Captain Dietrich?" The German Captain looks slightly astonished that the Hungarian stemming Australian pronounces his name better than most English speakers. Reflecting the offer and the options, as well as the Rats' usual nonexistent subtlety upon breaking and entering, he finally nods in agreement. He would not have imagined that he would miss Moffit so soon, as the Brit is the only one of the Rats Hans Dietrich would have credited with the ability for subtlety. "I will take your offer, Private Lakatos", the Captain agrees with a sigh. The young man smiles and winks. "It will be my pleasure training a German officer in my skill and art, something I never would have dreamed to ever do. Also, I'm astounded, Captain, that your Hungarian pronunciation is really good." Dietrich smiles wryly. "As is your German pronunciation, Private. One of my former Sergeants is Hungarian and explained a few words and phrases along with some basic rules of pronunciation to me. It will be my pleasure to learn some of your special set of skills from you." Turning to Troy he adds with dry irony: "Moffit should be delighted that his British outlaw theme of robbing the rich and giving to the poor is actually unfolding." "If you don't like the name 'Captain Sherlock', we can live with calling you Captain Locksley as well. Or would you like Robin or Hood more?", the American Sergeant asks with a wide grin enjoying teasing the German Captain whose eyes sparkle with anger by now. "Troy! If you distribute yet another nickname among the troops, I swear to you I will reevaluate my policy of refraining from violence against my own men!", Dietrich growls in exasperation.

Lakatos exchanges a questioning look with Tully Pettigrew who merely shrugs and shifts his matchstick in his mouth after having witnessed dozens of sarcastic exchanges between the Sarge and the Cap without anything bad or serious happening afterwards, even when Dietrich has still been a Wehrmacht officer. "I will require your first aid kit, or to be more precise, your stethoscope", the Australian declares to the American Private. His words finally register with the two squabblers who have engaged in a staring duel. "Let's take care of the situation at hand instead of this senseless quarrel, Sergeant", the German Captain proposes with a weary sigh. "Fine with me, Captain", Troy agrees. "So do you like the Sherlock Holmes or Robin Hood theme more? Just so I know which name to promote." Dietrich briefly bears an expression as if he would wish for nothing more than to strangle the American idiot with his bare hands, before reining in his temper with some effort. "As long as it keeps you occupied and from inventing anything new, Sergeant, just suit yourself." Seeing Troy's perplexed expression at his sudden switch of attitude, causes him to almost smile in satisfaction. Using Troy's own strategy of causing confusion and chaos against him is almost delightful.

Tully has not bothered for them to end their banter and gone to retrieve the med kit in the meantime. Rummaging in it a bit, he finally obtains the stethoscope and hands it to Private Lakatos. After Dietrich has extracted himself elegantly from his discussion with the dumbfounded Troy, he joins them as well. "You use a stethoscope for safecracking?", the German asks slightly incredulously. The Hungarian stemming Australian smirks. "Indeed, Captain. When the right combination number of the lock is reached, the mechanism produces a soft sound. When it is very silent and you have an excellent sense of hearing you can even pick it up without a stethoscope, but for normal situations and us mere mortals a stethoscope is a great help." The German Captain smiles ironically at the answer. "I see why you only require someone with a good sense of hearing and some subtlety for this." "Let's check out your safe and get you trained then, Captain!", Lakatos suggests with a smile.

Troy now joins Tully in curiously observing how the Australian Private instructs the German officer where to place the stethoscope to get the best results for which types of combination numbers, whether to turn the dial clockwise or counterclockwise and how to best find out with which of these two directions to start, if he does not know the type of safe in advance. Hans Dietrich listens carefully to his instructor and puts the advice to memory with keen attention and dedication. Lakatos lets him put the theoretical instructions to practice by having the German crack the safe himself. Listening carefully, the Captain turns the dial first clockwise until he can make out a soft clicking noise, then switches the direction to rotate it counterclockwise until another soft click can be heard. Finally he returns to the clockwise direction and turns the dial until with one last click the final tumbler falls into place. "You can use the handle now and open it, Captain", Lakatos comments. "And your lads were right, you really have talent for that kind of work." Ignoring the inappropriate comment, the German turns the handle and the safe opens indeed to reveal several papers and documents, bundles with money and a strange case Dietrich has never seen before which means that Waldheim or Metzlich must have placed it there.

Carefully, the tall officer reaches into the safe and takes out the documents, filing through them quickly. He recognizes some of the documents he himself has still placed in there, including most of their unit's orders, supply plans as well as code diagrams for radio codes and decryption of written messages, all of them long outdated by now. In addition, he finds some of his own personal documents which the SS officers have confiscated, his Soldbuch and his Wehrpass which contain detailed information of his military career, payment, issued equipment and service records. General Atkins has asked for these documents of his specifically and the German Captain places them on the side to take them with him. "Hey, isn't this yours, Captain?", Troy asks, as he points at a small metal object he has picked up from the top of the metal case. A desperate feeling of guilt overcomes the German, as he sees the medal of the Iron Cross First Class and he takes a step backwards, as if he has been burned. How proud has he once been to be awarded this decoration for bravery? How far is he, the condemned traitor and outlaw, the defector in service of the Allies, from the man he once has been, when receiving this award for saving Generalfeldmarschall Rommel's life? How many has he seen bear such decorations and yet behave in ways totally undeserving of any respect or honor? With a tormented expression, Hans Dietrich shakes his head intending to rid himself of the haunting questions. Troy has observed the German pale at the sight of the medal and his expression become truly haunted, as if he has seen a ghost. Giving him a few moments time to recover by himself, he sees the Captain shake his head as if to clear it, but the look in his eyes remains pained, as Dietrich focuses on some more of the German files instead without answering Troy's question. Deciding that he will not torment the young officer unnecessarily, but also not allow him to lose some part of his past, which he might regret later, as has happened to Sam Troy in his life, the American Sergeant pockets the German's award medal to give it back to him at some time, when he has learned to better deal with his memories and his new reality.

In a neatly ordered folder, Obersturmbannführer Waldheim has kept his own orders and documents from Berlin, along with some documents which appear to be SS internal files. These Dietrich separates from the outdated base documents as interesting and relevant to keep for later detailed investigation. Once the German officer has taken care of the papers and documents in such a way, he finally turns his attention to the metal case. "I suppose the key to this case rests alongside the key to my desk in whichever ditch the Arabs have thrown the SS officer's corpse who has caused so much pain and sorrow around here", Dietrich speaks with a sarcastic tone which is laced with some underlying torment nonetheless that Troy can pick up with ease, now that he knows the Captain well enough to read him underneath his cool and aloof facade of the always proper German officer. "So after picking the lock of your own desk, you also cracked your own safe, Captain", Troy comments mirthfully and places his hand on the tall German's left shoulder, trying also to reassure him in whatever is tormenting him. "If I get myself kicked out by yet another army, I might at least have a promising criminal career to look forward to", Dietrich comments with dry sarcasm, giving up on trying to evade the annoying Sergeant. After all he has agreed to a probation which includes behaving to a certain degree as he would with Jakob.

"Our raid of this safe is not finished yet. Do you have the skills and equipment to pick the lock of the case the SS officers left behind, Private Lakatos?", the German Captain inquires. Lakatos smiles almost delightfully, as he takes a small package from his pocket. "Of course, I have what you need, Captain." Opening the package reveals a wide selection of lockpicking tools, several of them available in double or even triple versions. Selecting a tension wrench and a rake, the Private holds both of them out for Dietrich. "Let's continue with our lesson, Captain." "If you are under the impression that I would be able to operate these with my left hand instead of my injured right, you are gravely mistaken, Private Lakatos", the German states grimly, eyeing the tool which is termed 'Dietrich' in German with some suspicion. "This is a rather simple lock to pick. If one has some experience, as you obviously have, Captain, one can do this with either hand." Holding back a biting remark, the Captain picks up the tools from the Australian's hand and eyes them warily. They are indeed light. Operating them does not require strength and will not put too much strain on his shoulder, but challenge his fine motor skills instead.

Too proud to back down from a challenge instead of rising to the occasion, Hans Dietrich finally sits down on the chair in front of his former aide's office desk to face the challenge of picking the small chest's lock. First, he inserts the tension wrench into the keyhole, as Lakatos instructs him to do, and applies a slight pressure which he will have to uphold during the whole procedure. Deciding that this is better done with his left hand, the German takes the rake in his right and slides it in and out of the lock, carefully feeling the pins' resistance and how to put pressure on them to move them out of their locked position. This is the hardest part, as he knows from experience when he has learned this as a teenager, and it requires the most dexterity and fine motor skills which are hard to maintain, as his arm is shaking slightly and he has to concentrate actively to keep it from doing so. After what appears like an eternity to the concentrated working man, but has not been more than two minutes for the others a click can be heard, as the lock opens. "Do you still need soldiers for your unit, Captain?", Lakatos inquires with a grin. Dietrich looks briefly surprised, before he inquires dryly: "Are you that unhappy with Captain Brown?" "Not at all. But you're the only officer I know who's cracking locks and safes himself", the Australian of Hungarian origins explains with a grin. "Same for me, but we intend to keep him", Troy adds with a similar grin. "I'm not your pet, Sergeant", the German protests with a growl. "Of course not. But friends are also something to keep." The Captain stands up and sniffs in his Sergeant's direction with a mock serious expression. "What are you doing?", Troy wonders loudly. "Checking whether you are still sober", Dietrich deadpans. Tully hides his grin behind his matchstick upon seeing Sarge's pricelessly dumbfounded expression that the German Captain also savours with an actual amused smirk.

As Dietrich turns to Lakatos to hand him back the tools, the Australians raises his hands in a negating gesture. "Keep them, Captain! From one professional to the other I think you will have need for them in the future." Hesitating briefly, the German finally nods in acceptance. "Thank you, Private." "My pleasure, Sir. Captain Browny sometimes wants me to teach some guys from other units my skills and give the required tools to those showing enough aptitude to promise success. So may I ask you something, Captain?" The tall officer eyes him intently and finally nods in consent. "Which of these tools do you call 'Dietrich' in German?" The Captain raises his eyebrows in slight surprise at the unexpected question, before his lips form a wry smile and he points toward the rake. "You know I will tell the story of the lockpicking Captain named 'lockpick' from now on when some soldiers complain why they should learn something like this", the Australian explains with a smile that Troy shares along with his amusement. "Just promise me not to use my actual name, Private", Hans Dietrich insists. "I have enough problems with rumors and nicknames without such a story being spread among the ranks." "You have my word, Captain. Scout's honor", the Australian promises and the German officer eyes him dubiously for a few moments until he nods in agreement.

"So now that we have this settled, don't you want to find out what's in the case you have just cracked open, Captain?", Troy inquires, barely able to contain his curiosity himself. "Let's have a look", the German Captain agrees, as Troy has efficiently triggered his own curiosity now. When Hans Dietrich opens the metal case, the other three bend over the desk with more or less disguised curious expressions. All four feel briefly as if they have stumbled into a Hollywood movie scene, as the case contains various types of jewelry made of gold, silver, copper or brass, decorated with crude to fine engravings or stones reaching from simple glass to precious stones, such as sapphires or emeralds. While the American soldiers and the Australian Private appear impressed and taken to the collection of rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets that appears almost like coming from a treasure chest, the German officer's face bears an expression of disgust. Hans Dietrich knows far too well how the SS typically would obtain such riches, by confiscating their possessions from those they arrest or murder right away.

"Daran klebt viel Blut", the German growls with revulsion and provides his own translation. "Waldheim and Metzlich had many people's blood on their hands to obtain these. The Bedouins were not wrong to think that this place was haunted by demons, only in a figurative rather than a literal manner." "These bastards had a far too quick and easy death!", Troy sputters with fury and even Tully looks almost angry, as he bites down on his matchstick with a grim expression. "What do you intend to do with this, Captain?", Private Lakatos asks curiously, suppressing an expression of longing for the treasure, as the thought of the blood spilt for these jewels returns. "Confiscate the jewel case and hand it over to General Atkins. I will also check, if they have in all their lists around here noted who they obtained which object from. German diligence has its merits after all", Captain Dietrich replies with dark sarcasm, the anger at his own countrymen audible in his voice. Even if the chances are slim that those who have been robbed by the Nazis are still alive or not locked up in a concentration camp, he still owes it to these people to be diligent himself. The SS officers are lucky that they are dead already considering the German officer's murderous expression, Troy assesses and can only whole-heartedly agree with Dietrich and his sense of justice.

The German Captain hands Troy the metal case with the blood jewels and starts packing the other contents of the safe into two separate briefcases, one for the Wehrmacht documents and one for the SS documents. Handing Pettigrew and Lakatos such a briefcase each for carrying, he picks up his own personal documents himself and places his Soldbuch and Wehrpass with his U.S. army documents in his jacket pocket. When the tall officer leaves the fort's main building again followed by his three soldiers, the Arab warrior who has guided them here approaches the German. "*Faris alsahra, we are to bring you to the Sheikh's courtyard where the trial takes place, as Sheikh Suleiman and Prince Hassan wish to speak with you.*" Scowling the lean Captain nods in acceptance. "*We will accompany you to the court. Do you know if somebody has claimed the house of Levi, the copper smith's family yet?*" The Arab looks astounded, then shakes his head. "*The Sheikh will have to decide what will happen with it, as no family members are left to claim it.*"

Dietrich's grim expression turns into a sly lurking one, as he continues: "*That is actually not the case. Ari ben Levi, the copper smith's second son is still alive and in our care. I know where to find the house, but I do not wish to be accused as a thief, if I take some things for the boy with me.*" The Arab warrior looks surprised and unsure how to deal with the request. "*Do you have children, good man?*", Dietrich asks the warrior who nods his head. "*Then you can understand that the boy cannot live well with only the clothes he has worn when the Ifrit shot his family. I do not wish to claim the house for him or take anything else, except for obtaining a few of the boy's clothes and some of his toys. Think of your own son!*" The Bedouin bears an expression of sympathy, apparently convinced by the argument to think of his own son. "*I will come with you, faris alsahra, so that nobody can accuse you of being a thief*", he offers. "*I thank you in Allah's name for your compassion with the boy.*" Dietrich bears an expression of honest gratitude. "*Allah smiles on those who show mercy to the innocent. You have done well caring for Levi's son*", the Arab warrior replies with an almost friendly expression.

Then, the man turns to shout orders to his men, while Dietrich intends to do the same with his soldiers. "What kind of trap did you just set for him, Captain?", Troy asks bemusedly, knowing the German officer's wily expression far too well from many a sprung trap. "I convinced him to accompany us to the house of Ari's family, so that I can take some clothes and toys for the boy with me. Luckily he has children and reminding him of his own son incited some sympathy", the Captain replies smoothly. Troy looks actually impressed. "I didn't think of that, but it makes perfect sense." Dietrich merely nods in acceptance and then directs them to their Jeep to drive out of the fort where he directs Tully with ease and precision through the narrow streets of the oasis town. Their Arab guards follow behind the vehicle and stop, when Pettigrew halts at the German Captain's order.

Hans Dietrich eyes the entrance to the house wistfully. The last time he has been here, the laughter of children, Ari and his siblings, has been audible from the inside as well as their father's constant hammering on the copper he has formed into objects and engraved. The seven-branched candelabrum made of copper by Levi himself lies in the entrance way where the SS soldiers have strewn it, when arresting the family and driving them to the marketplace. When Dietrich crouches to pick it up, he notices that two of the arms have broken off, but he places it back on the workbench of the small workshop in a standing position nonetheless. The workshop leads directly into the family home, where much more has been torn down, smashed and destroyed by the SS troops, as the German officer registers with an uneasy feeling. Stepping over shards of smashed pottery and rotting contents of supply vessels, the Captain turns toward the room he knows to have been the children's and their parents' bed and living room. Dietrich can hear Troy cursing loudly outside, as the Sergeant has apparently stepped into the rotting date puree.

The straw mats serving as beds where he has once provided the antibiotic treatment to the ailing children have been torn up and their parents' wood constructed bed has even been turned over, leaving little intact in the room. Between the torn bed clothes, the German can make out pieces of colorful cloth and small mats weaved from palm leaves which lie strewn on the ground. Dietrich remembers having seen the children play with these, creating desert huts with sand walls and the weaved mat as a roof, in which they have played with their puppets, simple sticks strung together and clothed in colorful pieces of cloth. With a deeply saddened expression he picks up the favourite puppet of Ari's sister Adva that lies next to the boy's own stick puppet. In a corner the German finds the shattered clay flute of Ari's older brother Noah, while Ari's own little hand drum lies smashed on the ground. As he walks carefully between the destroyed beds, the Captain looks for a chest or racket keeping the children's clothes which he finally finds still intact, as the SS soldiers have not cared about the family's clothes. When opening the woven chest he sees the folded clothes of Levi and Rachel lying on top, with their children's clothes underneath. When digging deeper into the chest, Hans Dietrich finds some hidden treasures. On the one hand he pulls the children's collection of small crudely formed clay camels, donkeys and goats wrapped in several layers of colorful cloth out of the chest, on the other hand, he retrieves the family's savings for bad times, several metal discs of brass which have a specified value in trading. This would be Ari's inheritance, but outside of the Bedouins' trade system these discs hold no value, in particular in the U.S. where the boy is supposed to go. Remembering his given word that he would only take clothes and toys for the boy, the Captain puts the metal discs back into the clothes chest, but takes two tunics, trousers and a kaftan that could fit Ari along with a pair of sandals with him, as well as the clay animals and the puppets.

When Sam Troy steps into the German's way to inquire about something, the Captain dumps the clothes and toys in his arms and orders him to bring them back to the car, before the surprised Sergeant has realized what has happened. Turning around, Troy hands everything to Tully and repeats the Captain's order. Briefly, the Private stares between them, then decides he'd rather retreat than be involved in their discussions. Lakatos has even been wise enough not to enter at all. "You're quite the good caregiver, I grant you that, Captain", Troy comments. "Though you looked in the beginning as if you'd seen a ghost." The German lets his gaze pass over the surroundings once more. "I have known the people who lived here, when they were still alive, Troy. I gave medicine to their sick children, watched them play and laugh in the street when I would pass by", Dietrich explains with a wistful expression. "Then, I was there when they were driven to the marketplace for their execution, fear written clearly in their faces. Briefly, they might have had some hope that I would help them, but ... I could not or what I did was not enough to save them." His voice sounds strangled and his tone speaks of guilt. "You've done all you possibly could in your situation, surely more than most would have even tried", the American Sergeant argues and places his hand in a reassuring gesture on the younger man's slumped shoulder who flinches immediately at the touch. Troy does not even consider to let him go. "You bought the kid Ari the chance to run and you've saved and protected him ever since. Noone could have done more than you have, Captain!" Troy shakes the German's shoulder once rather gently and carefully given his injuries, but strong enough to drive his message home nonetheless.

Pulling himself together, the lean young man finally lifts his averted gaze and meets the American's eyes. "You're right, Sergeant. Unfortunately, that doesn't make the memories easier to bear." "Don't you tell me!", the Sergeant agrees with an amiable tone. "I know all about feeling guilty." "You have been rather angry with your brother lately nonetheless", the German argues with only a slight tinge of irony in his voice. "Davey's put me through six years of feeling guilty for the wrong thing", Sam Troy counters slightly furiously. "Now I'm entitled to be angry for the right reason." "Even if you consider yourself entitled, does it make you feel better than making your peace with him would?", Dietrich asks with a serious tone that betrays some compassion. "Probably it doesn't, but I can't let go of the anger... at least for now", Troy grumbles. "You're pretty wise for being so young and you're actually a good friend and advisor." The German winces as if he would have been slapped in the face. What was he thinking to ever have proposed this probation?

"*Sheikh Suleiman and Prince Hassan await you, faris alsahra*", their Bedouin guard reminds Dietrich of his obligation. "*Of course. Please lead us to him*", the Captain replies and addresses the American: "We need to leave, Sergeant. Prince Hassan and his father have invited us to meet him in the courtyard. I suppose they wish to be present when concluding the first trade deal, as the Sheikh always has in the past. Keep an eye on the Privates to assure that they behave themselves and neither decline nor spill any offered tea! That is an affront to their gesture of hospitality. If you can survive your friend, Captain Brown's homebrew poisons, you can surely live through a cup of fresh Arab tea, Sergeant." Troy scowls discontentedly, but grumbles his agreement. Together the two leave the house and join their soldiers at the Jeep. Their honor guard leads them into the courtyard which looks changed. A table has been put up for the tribunal where Sheikh Suleiman in spite of his injuries sits with his son Hassan at his right and the Mubasha'a Dietrich recognizes from his trial by fire at the Arab leader's left. Major von Stolberg has been placed on a seat facing his jury, flanked by two grim looking guards one of which even has drawn his saber and holds it in the Major's direction in a threatening way. The German officer's daunted face turns even grimmer, as he spots Hans Dietrich and starts sputtering: "Der elende Verräter wagt es hier zu erscheinen? Wie kann er zulassen, dass diese dreckigen stinkenden Halunken sich erdreisten, über uns Gericht zu halten?! Wir verlangen, dass er uns mit sofortiger Wirkung freisetzt! Hat er uns verstanden, niederträchtiger Schandfleck von minderem Blute?"

The younger German officer grits his teeth in indignation at the tirade filled with insults against him and the Arabs. Unsurprisingly, the German Major insists on his instant release. Obviously the German Captain cannot grant his demand. Bowing towards the Bedouin jury instead, he instead greets the Sheikh, the Prince and the judge with due politeness. "*It is good to see you, faris alsahra. Thanks to your medicine I feel a lot better in spite of the poison his ruddy jackals infected me with*", the Sheikh speaks with an amiable tone and expression turning only furious when speaking about the German Major and his men. "*This worthless son of a hyena has refused any cooperation which is as I have expected. I ask for your testimony as a witness of his crimes against my people, my wife and myself.*" Dietrich suppresses a heavy sigh, as he nods with a fatalistic attitude that he carefully keeps from showing in his expression. "*As you wish, Sheikh Suleiman. May I ask that my men can rest in the meantime or start loading supplies for the men waiting for our return in my camp, great Sheikh?*" Prince Hassan whispers something into his father's ear the German is unable to make out. Finally, Suleiman nods and addresses the tall Westerner. "*My nephews Murat and Fatjon will take care of them and show them what supplies they may load immediately, while we will send the rest with a trade caravan tomorrow. My son Hassan has assured me of the urgency and that it is diligence and care for your warriors not impoliteness that hastens your actions.*" Dietrich bows, thanks them both and translates the interaction for the benefit of his men. "We'll take care of everything, Captain." Troy bears a determined expression. "Thank you, Sergeant. I trust you to handle this with due propriety and without insulting our hosts and trade partners in any way", the German officer declares with a serious tone. "Don't worry, Captain. We can actually behave when we have to", Troy answers with a grin. "Please keep in mind that the need definitely arises now", Dietrich reminds all of them with a stern expression. Lakatos salutes to him in confirmation, while Tully merely shifts his matchstick and answers: "We got it covered, Cap."

While Dietrich remains in the courtyard for the trial, the three Allied soldiers follow Fatjon who has greeted them in a friendly manner. The young Arab leads them to the bazaar which is buzzing like a nest of wasps with children, chickens, goats, donkeys, camels, horses and Bedouin men and women shouting, bloating, whinnying and laughing in a cacophony of human and animal voices. Murat ibn Muhammad meets them at the stand of a trader dealing with dates, figs and other fresh and dried fruit. The three Arabs discuss among each other for a while, until Fatjon turns to the soldiers. "I will lead you to the trader's supply chamber and you can take sacks of dates and figs to bring to your camp with you", the young Bedouin explains in his broken, heavily accented English.

Hans Dietrich meanwhile provides a detailed recount of what he knows about Major von Stolberg and the crimes his unit has committed on his order against the trade caravan and the slaughtered Jews whose remains they have found in the desert. Then he continues with his report of the Major's unit's attack against the Brits, the joint attack with Prince Hassan and his men against the German officer and the nightly attack of the commandos which has also revealed their involvement in the assassination attempt against the Sheikh. Suleiman and Hassan look grim, as the tall and lean young man provides his report.

"Your Captain is a really interesting fellow", Private Lakatos assesses, while he helps Troy to pick up a sack full of dates. "Don't you tell us. He already was an unusual, but honorable guy when he still was with the Germans", the American Sergeant replies. "You fought against him?", the Australian inquires. "We raided several of his convoys, camps and bases. Almost killed each other a few times, but mostly he and we tried to capture the other alive. And we've struck at least as many truces with him, as there've been times when we've crossed our blades with him", Troy explains with a wide grin. "So he always had an affinity for our side?", Lakatos wonders. "Maybe. But Dietrich's proud, honorable and loyal to the bone. He would've died for Germany, if those idiots from the SS wouldn't have arrested, tortured and condemned him for being a decent and honorable man who rejected committing actual war crimes", Troy answers him with a grim expression. "Dietrich's defected, but he never betrayed his men or his homeland. His unit surrendered on his order and still cheered for him after days in captivity." The young Hungarian-Australian soldier looks astonished and Troy grins in response. "He's surely not your typical Jerry officer, not just because he's cracked his desk and his safe. He went onto that house to pick up clothes and toys for a Jewish boy whose parents were killed by those SS bastards. Now that's even rarer than cracking a safe." "So he's no Nazi?", Lakatos asks. "For sure not. His best friend's a Jew. He's taking better care of the Jewish boy than I've seen some parents caring for their own kids. Dietrich probably hates the Nazis more than we do, 'cause he had more to do with them." "Makes sense", Lakatos agrees.

"*We thank you for your honesty, faris alsahra*", Sheikh Suleiman tells the Captain after Dietrich has finished his testimony in front of the court. The young German bows politely. "*I have done only what duty and honor demand, Sheikh Suleiman.*" Suleiman smiles at the words. "*And you have helped us greatly in giving a just verdict. We have once found your words truthful and honorable before Allah, faris alsahra. We therefore trust your honor and your words as a noble warrior and friend of our tribe. My daughter Jasmina will lead you to the tent prepared for our guests and serve you tea and refreshments with her sisters until you leave.*" Dietrich thanks him for his hospitality and opportunity for trade pointing out their alliance that has lasted over months, several captures of the town through both sides and a jointly survived epidemic. Then, the German Captain turns to the German Major and explains the situation and his future to him. "Herr Major Graf von Stolberg. Der Scheich Suleiman, sein Sohn Prinz Hassan und der hiesige Richter halten Gericht über Sie für die Verbrechen, die Sie gegen die Untertanen des Scheichs, die Karawanenhändler, seine Frau und ihn selbst begangen haben. Ich habe eine wahrheitsgemäße Aussage nach bestem Wissen und Gewissen abgegeben. Man wird nun ein Urteil über Sie fallen, gemäß der Gesetze dieses Landes, worauf ich keinerlei Einfluss habe. Dieses Urteil wird vermutlich Ihren Tod bedeuten für die Verbrechen gegen jedweden Anstand und Menschlichkeit, die Sie gegenüber Zivilisten begangen haben. Ich verabschiede mich von Ihnen und erinnere Sie daran, dass eine ehrenhafte Hinrichtung durch Enthauptung für einen Mann Ihres Standes angemessen ist und zugleich weitaus gnädiger als Sie es gegenüber diesen armen verdammten Seelen in der Wüste waren, die Sie qualvoll haben verrecken lassen." In spite of his grim words, the German Captain provides a struggling but proper salute, while the older German officer spits at his feet with an expression of hatred and loathing. "*Leave him be!*", Dietrich orders the Bedouin guard in harsh Arabic, as the man raises his hand to strike the hated prisoner who behaves so dishonorable towards their honoured guest. "Möge Gott Ihrer Seele gnädig sein, Herr Major", he provides as a last greeting that god may have mercy on the Major's soul.

The Sheikh's teenage daughter then leads the tall officer away to a separate tent, eyeing the handsome young man from underneath her brows shyly. "*Your medicine saved my father, faris alsahra*", she finally turns toward him with a tone and expression that clearly communicate her gratitude. "*I am glad it did, Jasmina.*" Dietrich replies politely and bows, always keeping a proper distance to the young woman. His tense stance relaxes slightly, when he finds his three soldiers already sitting on pillows around a small table. Troy rises immediately upon seeing the German Captain's weary and slightly haunted look. "What's happened to you, Captain? You almost look like one of your tanks has run you over", the American Sergeant asks jokingly to hide his concern. "By now it's mainly Jeeps under my command, Sergeant", the German officer counters dryly, before his expression turns dark and haunted again. "Providing testimony against a German Major, even a despicable one as von Stolberg, and then telling him what will be his fate is not an easy task, considering that two weeks ago, he and I still served in the same army, the German Afrikakorps." Dietrich sounds almost as weary as he looks. "You're not responsible for his actions and that he has to face the consequences now", Troy reminds the downcast looking German. "When we attacked his camp and I threatened him, I have told him that beheading has for centuries been considered an honorable form of execution for a nobleman", the young German officer argues. "Now it looks like this will indeed be the way of his execution." When Jasmina hands him a brass cup with refreshing mint tea, the Captain switches swiftly to Arabic to thank her. "That girl surely has an eye on you, Captain", Troy observes with a smirk. "That girl surely is some ten years younger than I and has barely grown out of childhood. Sodomy with children is hardly what I consider honorable behaviour, appropriate for an officer", Dietrich counters with a growl. "Never would've doubted that, Captain", Troy tries to calm him slightly.

Then the American Sergeant looks around and eyes the Bedouin girls' light clothing with a grin and mirthful twinkle in his eyes. "They've got beautiful girls dressed like belly dancers and Hitch isn't here to savour the experience", Troy says with a tone dripping of irony. "Well. Then he receives an adequate punishment for his utterly reckless behaviour ", Dietrich replies dryly. For once some higher power seems to have relieved him of the burden of searching for an adequate punishment for the Private himself. Now only Troy remains to be put to the sword for the insane nickname propaganda which is already escalating among the Australians. Tully hides his grin at the German Captain's dry assessment of his friend Hitch. The man is much less brutal or harsh than he would ever have expected from the German officer. And the invitations by the natives also are a great plus of Dietrich's leadership, as much as his calm and level-headed attitude of acting circumspect rather than rashly. Tully follows Dietrich's example of eating dried dates along with the tea, while Troy turns to the extremely sweet Arabic dessert drenched in sugar syrup instead which he eats by the dozen to be able to bear the taste of the tea sip by sip. Jasmina and her sister observe him with expressions of disbelief, whispering between each other, until an older woman admonishes them for their inappropriate behaviour. Although the German Captain feels slightly embarrassed by his Sergeant's behaviour, he leaves him be, as long as no more tea is spilt in tent corners. The officer is relieved that Lakatos only tries to salvage some of the desserts before they fall victim to Troy's appetite and stays with drinking his tea otherwise.

After ten minutes and the disappearance of the last sweet dessert in Troy's mouth, Dietrich considers it safe to excuse themselves without losing face or insulting their hosts, applying the argument of having to return to their camp before dusk. As they return to their Jeep, the Captain briefly inspects their loaded supplies. The dried dates and figs contain not only fruit sugar, but also vitamins, as fruits are among the rarest things of field soldiers' rations. Content with the Sheikh's choice, he orders them to get into their positions for the ride home and leave as quickly as possible.

After having taken the route often enough in the last few days, Tully finds his way back to the camp with practiced ease. They make it back to camp, just as the darkness of night starts to wrap around them. Dietrich acknowledges all three of them for their work today and specifically thanks Lakatos for his lessons in opening locks and safes and also points out Tully's driving routine. When the German officer salutes with some struggle, not only Troy and Lakatos return the military greeting properly, but also Tully Pettigrew who shows one of the best salutes Troy has ever seen him give, although the German Captain still appears underwhelmed.

Then, Dietrich takes off in the direction of Boggs' tent to give his report to the camp's commander that to his relief is not he himself anymore. Meanwhile, Troy approaches Tully with a conspiratorial smile. "Is it just me or have you been behaving much better since Dietrich's in command?", the American Sergeant asks Tully Pettigrew with an amused expression. "You wear your shirt buttoned... almost at least and I don't think I've ever seen you salute twice in a week before, even less to a senior officer." "Nothing 'gainst you, Sarge, but the Cap treats me with respect. The least I can do is not annoy him. Can't win an argument 'gainst him and I don't want to, Sarge", Tully argues, giving a shrug. "Hey. Didn't Moffit and me treat you with respect as well?", the American Sergeant wonders. "You and the Doc always did, but you're not real officers. And those stuck up guys like Winters or Baker, or even Boggs never treated my like that." "Boggs respects you", Troy counters stubbornly. "No, Sarge. Boggs respects you or Doc, but not me", the Kentucky driver holds against him. "But Dietrich thanked me personally, more than once even, asked me for my opinion and advice and he gave me a chance to explain how I landed in the army. No official guy's ever treated me like that, with real respect", the usually reserved soldier explains with a certain amount of awe audible in his tone. "So that's why you respect him and even try to live up to his standards", Troy finishes his argument with a smile. "Dietrich's really a good guy and decent officer to convince you." The Kentucky driver nods in agreement chewing on his matchstick.

James Boggs listens to Captain Dietrich's report along with the Australian Captain Brown who shows a whole range of emotions on his face during the German's recount. Starting from fury at the devious trap set for his men, ranging to admiration of the younger Captain's investigative qualification and finishing with sympathy and respect at learning how the young German officer has handled his cornered men with a clear and strict hand while showing compassion and decency to those in need. James Boggs in addition is interested in the events in the desert town, the documents taken from the Germans' safe and particularly the SS files and documents. Hans Dietrich carefully avoids to tell them that he, not Lakatos has opened the safe. Both the American and Australian Captain look astounded at the Jewel finding, but agree with Dietrich that looking for the rightful owners according to the SS files is the only option and otherwise the General will have to decide on further actions.

The German officer is in the middle of describing Major von Stolberg's trial, when David Troy enters the tent and approaches the tall young officer with enthusiasm. "We worked quite excellently together, Captain Dietr...", David Troy starts with a grin that quickly fades, as the German Captain glares at him when speaking his name. "Sorry. It's a nice name though", he tries to console the taller officer who looks exhausted underneath his exasperation. "It is unless you violate it with your pronunciation", Dietrich replies acerbically. "I have to thank you for your aerial support though, Captain Troy." David Troy looks truly relieved at the honest words in a more moderate tone and actually smiles at the younger German Captain. "Sam's right. You are a good guy. And I gotta tell you that noone except for our Mom and Anne has ever been able to handle him this well. He really likes and respects you. I dunno about you though." He points at the Australian Captain Brown. "I don't know if I should be flattered to be counted along with his mother and former wife", Dietrich replies dryly. "I'm sure that I'm not flattered after having been his CO for almost a year", Boggs adds equally dryly.

"David is right", Brown agrees. "Sammy might listen to me and respect me as a sort of mentor, but he surely treats you with a different level of respect and personal sympathy, Captain Dietrich." The German officer winces at the pronunciation of his name less than at the implication of Brown's statement. "True. It's rare for Troy to treat anyone with the amount of care and sympathy he has shown you, especially someone like you." Boggs realizes his mistake of formulating his observations like this a second too late, as he sees the proud German officer stiffen and draw himself up to his full height with an offended expression. "Someone like me", Dietrich snarls with a hint of his native accent laced into his American sounding one in the heat of his anger or because he wants to let it show, "would normally spend his time in a POW camp is what you mean, Captain Boggs." "Forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you. And that's surely not what I meant, Captain Dietrich." James Boggs sounds defensive and slightly sympathetic towards the younger officer who has stood with his back against the wall for days and weeks which makes him unsurprisingly sore and irritable. "I suggest that we continue this discussion at dinner after you had a brief medical checkup." The lean German Captain eyes him with undisguised wariness and barely suppressed fury. He can only just rein in his temper enough to bite back a comment that the older Captain owes him a rather good explanation which would of course be insolent toward his CO. "I'm not sure that they will let me go, once I enter sickbay." Dietrich's tone sounds bitter and sarcastic, but contains a good dose of weariness. "I can accompany you to sickbay", David Troy offers the German officer answers slightly unnerved: "You won't. Or I might really need it." Dietrich already has a premonition that either David Troy acting like an inconsiderate idiot or Sam Troy acting like a jealous teenager will land him there sooner than he would like.

As if on cue the American Sergeant enters and briefly stares at the four Captains with a baffled expression. Then, it dawns on Sam Troy that his times of having to give well-adapted reports to Boggs are over with Dietrich as his CO taking this part of his job more seriously and being more skilled in dodging not only literal but also proverbial bullets. "You can choose now which Troy you would like to accompany you to the sickbay", Brown offers with an amused twinkle in his eyes and a wide grin that increases at the German's scowl. "I'm not such an invalid that I'm unable to go there on my own and I hopefully don't require a guard", the German Captain growls angrily. "Good day to you, gentlemen", Dietrich snaps and just to prove his point gives a struggling salute with a wince, before turning on his heels to stalk out without sparing any of them a second glance. "Wow. Whatever did you do to piss him off like that? I'd better go after him, before he tears somebody's head off", Sam Troy assesses and does not even bother to wait for the reply of any of the Captains present before storming after the German officer. James Boggs merely sighs in stoic acceptance. "I fear your assessment has been perfectly accurate, Captain Troy. I will see you both at dinner in 30 minutes, gentlemen."

Troy recognizes that Dietrich has not made it very far before someone has intercepted him. Riku Gottschlich stands in front of the German Captain with hanging head and shoulders and an obviously apologetic expression. The German officer seems to console him somehow, as the Corporal's face turns more calm and hopeful, the longer he listens to the Captain. "Your apology is appreciated, as much as your self-reflected attitude to approach me for this. We will speak about further topics of relevance at some point in the future, Corporal Gottschlich, when you feel comfortable to do so", Dietrich argues with a calm and serious tone. "Thank you, Captain Dietrich. Sergeant Moffit advised me to turn to you." The German officer smiles mildly. "How considerate of him. You're dismissed, Corporal." Both salute as a greeting, although Dietrich looks pained and struggles with keeping his face from contorting into a grimace. Troy catches up with him there and falls into step with the Captain when the German starts moving towards the sickbay again.

"Get this dog out of the bed and out of my hospital in general", Dietrich and Troy can hear Doctor Andrews scold someone loudly, though who he is scolding is not hard to guess. "But, Doc, heroic little Fritz here saved my life!", Hitch tries to argue. "Just send the private to the doghouse along with the little furry beggar", the German Captain intercedes dryly, before giving a sharp whistle. Fritz jumps down from the bed, dashes through the sickbay and puts his front paws on the officer's thigh, eyeing him with wide adoring eyes. "Brav, Fritz", Dietrich speaks gently while petting the dog. "Not only is he better behaved, he also manages better salutes than you, Private", the German officer comments dryly. "So can I come with you then, Cap, to join Fritz?", Hitch asks with a grin. "Under no circumstances will you be allowed to sleep under my bed, Private. But I can offer you a nice warm place under a Jeep out in the motor pool instead", comes the sarcastic reply. "You're a true humanitarian, Captain", Troy grins and places a hand on the German Captain's good shoulder, noticing him tense immediately.

To free the sickbay of Fritz, the lean officer orders: "Geh Futter suchen, Fritz!" The word 'food' alone is sufficient to induce a happy yelp from the dog mascot. Also the little stray is well-experienced enough with camp routine to recognize that this means he should go to the kitchen or canteen and try his luck. Pressing his head against his German master's hand one last time, the little dog dashes off toward his intended food destination. Before Dietrich even gets a chance to make it to the officer's ward however and ask for the Swiss nurses, he finds himself in the centre of attention again. Ari comes running toward the new arrival with undaunted enthusiasm, hugging the lean German around the waist. "*You're back, Hans*", the child whispers with honest relief and joy. The tall German officer crouches to get on eye level with the child. "*I brought you something from your home*", Hans Dietrich explains, but sounds a bit insecure how the boy will react. Ari looks at him intently and when the tall man reveals a small cloth package he has held in the pit of his arm, he presents the boy the collection of clay animals and the stick puppets along with the pieces of coloured cloth. The child squeaks with joy and hugs his caregiver around the neck now that Ari can reach there. "*You're the best big brother I've ever had*", the child declares enthusiastically, while the German Captain blushes and appears rather unsure how to react to that declaration.

Jack Moffit observes the exchange with a mixture of a smile and a scowl torn between sympathy and self-loathing. "What are they saying?", Troy asks with a whisper while smiling widely at the scene. Unlike his British friend he feels no jealousy or resentment, but the relationship between the German officer and the Jewish boy is truly heartwarming for him. Dietrich is a good guy and admittedly a good caregiver, especially given their harsh circumstances at the frontline. Noticing Jack scowling, as he provides the translation, Troy inquires good-naturedly: "What harm has the Captain done to you, Moffit, to glare at him like that?" "None", the Brit answers with an even more pronounced scowl. "What's the problem then, Jack?", Troy demands to know. "I'm the problem, Troy. Dietrich's done nothing wrong except for being a decent fellow and looking after a previously unknown boy with more brotherly love and care, than I've spent in fifteen years on my own brother. Then I lost him and all I could feel was anger and loathing. I focused that on the Germans which was easier than directing it against myself where it is actually the most well-placed and deserved." "Don't be an idiot, Jack! You don't deserve to hate yourself for it. Beating yourself up, won't bring your brother back to life. I know what I'm talking about after all", the American Sergeant advises gruffly.

Jack sighs. "You're right of course. Even Dietrich advised me to let go, although in a less harsh, more calm and circumspect kind of way, as is the dear Captain's manner." "You talked with Dietrich and not with me, although you resent him?", Sam Troy sounds as incredulous as he feels. "That's just what I felt I had to set right for him and now for you. I don't resent him per se. He simply reminds me of what I feel guilty of before myself." Troy grimaces. "Your logic gives me a headache. Just let go, goddamnit, Jack!" Jack Moffit smiles at the words in spite of himself. "Easier said than done, old boy. But I'll try to heed your advice of course and our dear Captain's."

Jakob Silberblatt meanwhile has joined Ari and his friend Hans. With some worry he sees the lines of exhaustion drawn into his friend's haggard face. Nonetheless, Hans Dietrich listens intently with a cocked head and almost gentle smile to the boy's enthused stories about the kind of games he has once played with his siblings, what names their puppets and animals have and how they have used to create small farm houses with sand walls and woven mats as covers and traded their animals haggling like they have seen and heard on the bazaar. Jack Moffit again provides the translation for Troy who observes the whole scene with honest compassion and a warm smile of his own. In spite of his resentment, the British scholar cannot completely hide his own curiosity and professional interest, as children's games of North African tribes are an anthropological research field still vastly unknown.

Even Doctor Andrews observes the scene for a full two minutes with a gentle smile, before tapping the young officer whose eyes appear to be drooping on the shoulder. Dietrich starts and switches to a combat stance with a speed that takes the field medic completely by surprise, as the lean German grabs his hand at the wrist and pushes it to the side, while swiftly getting up and whirling around in a single almost gracile motion. Ari stops his recount and stares at his protector with wide fear filled eyes, while Jakob Silberblatt looks quite startled himself. Troy and Moffit observe the German Captain's actions with narrowed eyes. As soon as he registers who is standing in front of him, the tall officer lets go of the medic's wrist and mutters an apology with a slight blush. Doctor Andrews briefly rubs his wrist, slightly astounded that the lean and sinewy German is apparently stronger than he would have expected from the underweight officer. "I'm sorry for having startled you, Captain. After all my time out here at the front I should have known better than to sneak up on a battle-ready soldier." With a smile he adds: "And you appear to have more strength and agility in your wiry muscles than I would have given you credit for." Dietrich narrows his eyes at the last remark, but pulls himself together to not snarl at the medic. "What do you want from me, Doctor Andrews?"

Andrews maintains his smile. "I wanted to give you this." The American medic hands the German the booklet with his medical file the Captain has left in Doktor Sommer's hands in the morning. "Your former staff medic, Doctor Sommer, helped me to fill it completely according to his knowledge and the information in your SS file." The German officer nods and bears a grateful expression. "Thank you, Doctor. Will I have to carry this with me or is my medical file your responsibility?" The American medic looks slightly saddened. "In a normal unit, I would recommend leaving it with me. But considering that you serve as the commanding officer of a commando unit at the frontlines of war, I would recommend keeping it with you, so that anyone treating your injuries can access the medical information." The Captain nods in understanding and takes the booklet to put it into his jacket pocket along with his other papers and official documents.

"Also, I wanted to check on your general state of health and your injured shoulder, but you appear to be a lot more agile than yesterday. We might as well postpone this until you receive massage and physical therapy from the Swiss. Now that you are more mobile, doing exercises to improve the state of your shoulder is finally possible." Dietrich smiles with honest relief at the news. "Thank you, Doctor. I'm looking forward to consulting you, when I request the Swiss nurses' aid after dinner." Andrews scowls at the words. "You didn't even have dinner yet?" "We just returned from our mission, Doc. It's not the Captain's fault", Troy rushes to the German's defense who looks almost as surprised at the intervention as Doctor Andrews. "Thank you, Sergeant", both reply almost simultaneously and exchange surprised and bemused gazes. "It's time you get your dinner, Captain. Please return afterwards." Dietrich agrees and thanks the medic.

Jakob Silberblatt has meanwhile succeeded in distracting Ari, after the boy has been assured that his beloved 'brother' is fine and unharmed. Together they build a sandwalled stable under Ari's field bed. Hans Dietrich observes them with a content expression, relieved that the boy has not been scared enough by his reaction to suffer a panic attack. "I heard that you proved yourself worthy of Sir Robin of Locksley as a nickname, Captain", Moffit addresses the German officer from behind. The Brit is utterly startled however, as Dietrich whirls around to face him with a furious expression, as he snarls: "Don't you dare establish yet another nickname for me, Sergeant Moffit! Or I find myself forced to consider severe corporal punishments for you and the rest of your merry men to prove myself worthy of the Sheriff of Nottingham." While Moffit silently wonders what has gotten into the typically reasonable German Captain who has never before reacted without a good sense of humor or irony, Sam Troy intervenes: "Come on, Captain. It's not his fault that I've been teasing you all day." "This goes far beyond teasing me all day, Sergeant. The whole Australian unit has already adopted your 'Captain Sherlock' nickname." Dietrich sounds exasperated, while Troy merely grins, as do Jakob Silberblatt and Jack Moffit. "You really deserve that one after your brilliant investigation", the American Sergeant argues, but gets interrupted: "I don't care what you think I deserve or not, Troy. I don't want a nickname. It's undignified and inappropriate for enlisted soldiers to call an officer by such a name."

Troy grins. "Sometimes I forget that you're a proud and scrupulous Jerry officer to the very last bone, Captain. Let me tell you something though. Whether you want it or not, enlisted men always have nicknames for their officers. Usually you don't know about them, because the men make sure that the brass never hear them. It's rare to trust our brass to take something like that with humor. But we know you usually have a good sense of humor and self-mockery to not be offended in earnest. Your nicknames not only are all really friendly, but also we let you decide which ones you like." "I liked none of them. How is this supposed to let me decide anything?", the German asks with sarcasm. "Come on. We always involved you in our themes and you've taken it with humor until now mostly. You should know what they call Winters or Griffiths or even Boggs." Dietrich frowns at the explanation and counters with dry sarcasm: "Well. Humor me then, Sergeant. What do you call them? If you want to prove your trust, this is your chance to do so." Troy looks the taller young man straight in the eye. "Your word that you won't tell them, Dietrich." The German Captain looks slightly unnerved at the behaviour that reminds him more of a teenager telling jokes about his teachers behind their backs than an adult military member and utterly lacks any kind of maturity in his eyes. With an exasperated sigh, he concedes: "Fine, Troy. You have my word. And please refrain from further violating my name. Your devious maneuver to sell me your nickname idea as attractive is far too easy to see through." Troy grins widely. "You're a wily fox which reminds me that I also like the Italians' fox nickname." The German Captain shudders in mock drama. "Your Italian pronunciation is not as terrible as your German, but I'd rather avoid continuing with this nickname."

"So you want to know about our other brass' nicknames. Well, Winters is 'Lieutenant on the rocks', since he's all into his Bourbon whiskey, but also about as cuddly as a rock, or 'Lieutenant Volcano', when he's exploding." The German smirks bemusedly in spite of himself having experienced the American First Lieutenant's explosive behaviour already. "Griffiths is 'Lieutenant Brass Knuckles'", Troy explains and the lean Captain winces slightly, subconsciously pressing his right arm against his ribs where the bruises from his run-in with the semi-professional boxer are fading again. "And Captain Boggs is 'Captain Bald'. So you see that 'Captain Sherlock' is really friendly in comparison, as is 'Captain Locksley' for a guy who cracks locks and safes and steals jewelry from the SS to give it back to the poor souls the stuff has been taken from." Jack Moffit and Jakob Silberblatt stare at Troy and Dietrich in surprise. "Really, Hans?", the Captain's friend asks with a touched expression. "Robbing the rich to give to the poor. I told you to consider the Robin Hood theme, Captain. It fits you and your whole character most adequately", Jack Moffit comments with a smile in spite of the German's frown who merely snaps: "Don't humor Troy! And please spare me any further nickname arguments, Sergeant Moffit!"

"Speaking of Troy and his misdeeds, has he already confessed his many ways of violating tea on this very day, Sergeant Moffit?", Dietrich inquires with dry sarcasm. Jack Moffit focuses on Sam Troy with a dark gaze. "That is the first I hear of it, Captain." The American Sergeant glares at the German with an expression that speaks of feeling utterly betrayed. "You could show some honest remorse, Troy, by telling the truth now before the patron of tea and defender of British values and honor", the German continues relentlessly with dry sarcasm that makes the Brit smile in spite of himself. Finally the Captain has found an appropriate punishment for Troy's nickname mischief, Dietrich considers contently. Throwing him to the Brit after revealing his abuse of their national beverage is utterly deserved. "What did you do, Troy?", Moffit asks with a grave tone, as if he would expect the confession of mass murder or worse. The American Sergeant throws his hands in the air in exasperation. "Okay. I spilled that tea in the corner of the Arabs' tent when nobody was looking. Are you both happy now?" The Cambridge scholar bears a tormented expression. "How could you, Troy? Not only is it a waste of a wonderful tea, but also could it have been interpreted as a serious offense against etiquette by the Arabs." Hans Dietrich smiles contently. This could not have turned out better, if he had actually planned it as Troy's punishment and arranged it with the British Sergeant in advance.

"I hope you at least listened to my advice and did not spill any more tea in the afternoon", the German officer enjoys to grill the Sergeant some more. "Those poor teenage girls would not have understood why you spurn their hospitality like that in addition to plundering their whole supply of Magrood and Baklava within mere ten minutes." "You make it sound like I have committed a serious crime or something", the American Sergeant tries to defend himself, only to find himself under attack from the Brit. "It is a serious crime against tea that you have committed, Troy! I am shocked at such behaviour. My father would be utterly indignated to know I'm spending my time in the company of such a lowly individual." "I don't even want to start imagining what mine would have to say about you, Sergeant, if he still were on speaking or writing terms with me", the German speaks in a bemused tone, before a saddened expression passes over his face. "Some things are better not dwelt on. Let's focus on our situation at hand. Sergeant Moffit, I thank you for your support." The Captain bows his head slightly in the Brit's direction who returns the gesture with an equal measure of propriety. Then, Dietrich turns his gaze on Troy. "Sergeant Troy, I hope you feel sufficiently punished for your collective misdeeds of today or do you wish to suggest we continue like this?" "I wish to suggest we get dinner", Troy groans. "You're insufferable, when you're hungry and tired, both of you." Jack Moffit exchanges a bemused glance with Hans Dietrich, before he adds dryly: "We can continue the next time he will offend tea's honor." "How can tea have honor?", the American Sergeant growls in exasperation and Jakob Silberblatt feels like bursting into a fit of laughter. "I believe you have just been outfoxed by a fox, Sergeant Troy."

The fox in question does not have long to dwell on his small victory, as he finds himself approached by the German medic Doktor Sommer meanwhile who asks the younger German officer: "Herr Hauptmann, wie geht es Ihnen?" Seeing Andrews furrow his brow, he repeats the question in English: "How are you?" Dietrich smiles wryly. "Surprisingly fine. The Swiss massage treatment has worked miracles for my agility and dexterity, but the shoulder has not stopped hurting since the morning, though admittedly on a much more bearable level than yesterday. Doctor Andrews suggested that you wait with the detailed checkup until after my dinner." "You still haven't eaten anything, Hauptmann Dietrich?", the German Doctor admonishes in almost the same tone as his American colleague who smiles at the recognition as well. "I'm just trying to extract myself from here to get the chance for some dinner", Dietrich replies defensively. "Maybe you could help to put the Major's men's minds to ease before that?", Doctor Andrews asks, exchanging a worried look with Doktor Sommer. Dietrich is slightly surprised by the request and even more so that the American medic is the one to ask this of him, although Andrews seems to have taken a liking to his former Stabsarzt and an excellent line of communication with Sommer. "I will do what I can, Doctor. After all, we all want to keep peace and quiet to remain in camp."

Squaring his shoulders, Hans Dietrich steps out of the officers' ward and toward the tent partition housing the German soldiers. Troy whispers into Jack's ear conspiratorially: "I want to know what he says", before he drags the Brit along with him to follow the German officer at a distance. When the tall and lean young officer steps into the middle of the German field beds, several men shift their positions to be able to look at the Captain. Dietrich's former Feldwebel Deutsch, now Nemet, looks less feverish than on the previous days, as the still heavily bruised Wolf Bauer helps him to sit up to look at his former Hauptmann. Ulrich von Bibra struggles to shift his pillow to have some support for sitting straighter, as one of his comrades from von Stolberg's unit helps him. Even the heavily traumatized Private Kierner who has lost his leg in Hitch' and Tully's distraction attack appears more present and looks in his senior officer's direction. "Meine Herren", the tall German officer addresses the German soldiers and immediately has the attention of even the last of them. Doktor Sommer takes a position in the background, as do Troy and Moffit. "Ich möchte Sie über das Schicksal von Major Graf von Stolberg und Ihre voraussichtliche eigene nähere Zukunft in Kenntnis setzen." Everyone listens attentively as the Captain announces that he wishes to inform them on Major von Stolberg's fate and their own near future.

"Der Major wurde von den Beduinen und ihrem Scheich vor ein ordentliches Gericht gestellt, vor dem ich selbst als Zeuge ausgesagt habe. Nach dem grausamen Abschlachten ihrer Männer aus der Karawane, bei der Sie alle dabei waren, und dem Mordanschlag auf den Scheich und seine Ehefrau, ist der Prozess gerechtfertigt und selbst in Deutschland wäre vollkommen klar, wie ein solcher Prozess ausginge." The Major's men frown at the announcement of the trial of their superior officer in front of a Bedouin jury and exchange worried looks, while Dietrich's men quietly accept their Captain's wisdom in such matters. When reminding the men of the massacre of the Bedouins at which they all have been present, as well as the assassination attempt against the Sheikh and his wife, the soldiers exchange worried glances. The German officer continues unperturbed in a clear and calm manner of speech: "Das hiesige Lager ist mittlerweile ausreichend versorgt, sodass Sie sich keine Sorgen zu machen brauchen, dass die Genfer Konvention eingehalten wird und man Sie und Ihre Kameraden bestmöglich behandeln und versorgen wird. Dafür sorge ich persönlich, wenn es sein muss." Several men bear looks of honest admiration and sympathy, when Dietrich argues with conviction that they do not have to worry, as he will personally assure that they are all treated well and fairly in accordance with the Geneva Convention, especially now that the camp supplies are not a problem any more. "Man wird Sie in den kommenden Tagen in Kriegsgefangenenlager transferieren, sobald der Gesundheitszustand Ihrer Kameraden dies zulässt." The Germans nod in quiet acceptance at the last declaration, feeling somewhat at ease to at least know what awaits them, when the Captain tells them that they will be transferred to POW camps within the next few days.

"What's this all about?", Troy asks suspiciously as he observes the German soldiers from von Stolberg's and Dietrich's own unit who all look at the Captain with something close to reverence, while he provides his speech and explanations. "Our dear Captain explains to them the reason for the Major's trial, how it is held fairly in front of a jury at least as much as it would be in Germany and that he has provided his honest testimony. Also he assured them that they have nothing to worry about, as the camp will stay supplied, he intends to assure that the Geneva Convention is kept and that they will all be transferred to POW camps, as soon as the state of health of most wounded allows that. He's noble and chivalrous to the bone, our dear Captain", Jack Moffit provides him with a summary and speaks the last part without resentment. "My friend on probation sure as hell is just that", Troy affirms with a smile. "But why do they turn to him?" The British Sergeant furrows his eyebrows. "I would say that apart from being the highest ranking German officer in the camp and having the freedom to move in and out of sickbay, it is mainly because not only his own soldiers know that he cares, but also the Major's have finally understood that." Troy cocks his head and keeps his smile. "When it comes to honestly caring about his men and being willing to take risks and make personal sacrifices, the Captain is probably the best officer in camp." Moffit nods in agreement. "That he is for sure, even more so for the Germans who have his inexperienced Lieutenant as the only other officer left."

Doktor Sommer expresses his gratitude to the younger Captain, when both are approached by the two Allied soldiers. When Dietrich's stomach growls suspiciously, Sam Troy places a hand on his uninjured shoulder to direct him toward the exit. Jack Moffit and Ludwig Sommer exchange a glance that communicates clearly that both intend to stay out of the two stubborn men's struggle. "You're coming with me to dinner now, Captain, before I have to add you starving to death to my list of worries", the American Sergeant admonishes sternly. "You have no obligation to worry about me whatsoever, Sergeant", the German officer counters with slight irritation. "Of course I have, or have you forgotten our agreement, or rather agreements by now", Troy holds against him, as he pushes the taller man towards the exit without releasing him from his grip. Since the Captain is arguing with the American, but not putting up any physical resistance to avoid getting injured in the process, the struggle is not serious or in danger of escalating and their banter seems rather a matter of habit than anything else.

When they enter the canteen tent, it is obvious that most men are already finished with their dinner and only staying to chat or play a game of cards. Tully has already taken a seat with Private Lakatos and the Aussies where he happily gulps down his dinner. "Let's get you taken care of first", Troy declares to a scowling Dietrich. "Since you can't carry your own food tablet with your injuries, I'll take care of it." The German officer looks slightly embarrassed, as he counters: "I told you that you have no such obligation, Sergeant." "Then it's just my own choice that I want to do that and now stop being more difficult than necessary! You're almost as bad as Davey, when he was sick as a kid", the older American Sergeant counters coolly. "That was a low blow even for your standards, Troy", the German Captain replies with a grimace, but finally follows him to the soldier on duty to dispense food. Fritz has successfully put the man under siege and is picking up everything that happens to fall to the ground incidentally or intended. The little dog enthusiastically wags his tail at Dietrich and Troy, greeting both of them by jumping up and putting his front paws on the respective man's thigh, before the grandmaster of food acquisition returns to his siege position and the American soldier's briefly relieved expression falls again. Grinning at the little dog's mischief, Troy orders both their dinners, arguing for a larger portion on the Doctor's order. A brief glance in the direction of the lean officer is sufficient to convince the American soldier, while the German Captain starts to voice his protest that he does not want special treatment only to be roughly interrupted by Sam Troy. "Stop arguing, Captain! Even the kid can see that you barely fit into your own uniform and there's no arguing that you are far too skinny for a trained soldier. You also gave the Doc your word, remember?" Grumbling, the lean German officer gives up on his resistance spawned by pride and habit before reason.

Boggs, Brown and David Troy have their heads together whispering intently, when the duo of Sergeant and Captain arrives at the table. Upon their sight, David tenses immediately and jumps to his feet to help, which only makes both Sam Troy and Hans Dietrich scowl at him with mirrored expressions of distrust. Not trusting his brother even with a plate for even a second, Sam hands the German Captain his own dinner and puts the glass and cutlery onto the table in the meantime. "Don't bother or harm him, Davey!", the American Sergeant growls at his younger brother for good measure, before patting the German Captain on the shoulder lightly. "Enjoy your dinner, Captain!" Sam Troy looks almost content that the German officer barely tenses at the touch having either gotten used to it or given up his subconscious resistance. "A fearsome threat to their joint enemies and the rest of the time at each other's throats. They totally deserve each other", James Boggs whispers into Captain Brown's ear who grins widely. "What a nice and absolutely fitting way of putting it."

Meanwhile David Troy opens his mouth to say something, but gets beaten to it by the German Captain who drawls sarcastically: "After your suicidal stunt today I feel safer at a distance, the larger the better. Just do me the favour and leave me to eat my dinner in peace, Captain Troy." Glaring at the RAF pilot until he takes a few cautious steps backward, the German officer takes a seat in such a way that Boggs and Brown shield him from the annoying American from both sides. Why exactly fate hates him enough to punish him with a second Troy remains inexplicable. The American and Australian Captain leave the haggard looking younger man to eat his dinner in peace before wishing to address their issues and concerns. Both take the time to study the German Captain's features and appearance. With the bruises in his face mainly healed except for the largest and the fresher ones, Boggs finally sees the similarity to the younger officer's own photograph from his service file. Unlike on his first day as a defector, the lean German does not constantly observe the whole room as if surrounded by enemies and finding himself in the middle which the American Captain considers an improvement. The lines of exhaustion however are clearly drawn on the haggard face making Hans Dietrich look older than his 25 years.

"I still owe you an explanation of what I meant before", James Boggs starts out once the German Captain has taken the last bite and the American immediately finds himself in the focus of the younger man's wary gaze. "You don't owe me anything, including an explanation", Dietrich says flatly with an almost fatalistic expression. "I definitely owe you and likely more than just an explanation which is clearly in order, since you are assuming the worst right now. Unfortunately, this is not something I can blame you for, given your situation and experience." The younger German officer sighs wearily, but still keeps his wary expression only raising his eyebrows in a silent question.

"I have to credit you for being incredibly adaptable and willing to give the benefit of the doubt to your former enemies, Captain Dietrich." The German Captain's left eye twitches slightly, but he remains silent and listens intently with a cocked head. "After having been betrayed by your own side, that is not something I would have expected from you, as little as the dedication and diligence with which you perform your duty for the benefit of the very unit that has been the cause for severe losses on your behalf. And you're doing so under undoubtedly adverse circumstances." Dietrich is gritting his teeth by now and his gaze has turned darker, as it burns into Boggs while the American Captain continues to speak without interruption. "I know what I'm talking about, having sent the Rats after you specifically many times even without Troy knowing sometimes, because you have been too successful in resisting, surviving and capturing my less extraordinary patrol units." Dietrich grimaces at the words and has balled his left hand into a fist, while his right is shaking slightly but unable to maintain the strain of a balled fist for long. Every muscle and sinew of his body appears tensed like a predator ready to strike. Boggs briefly exchanges a glance with a mixture of worry, wariness and admiration.

"By now however I could not name a single officer in this camp who does not respect you, even if some find leaving their prejudices behind much harder than you have." Unbidden Dietrich and Boggs simultaneously gaze down the table to where Lieutenant Baker is chatting with Adams, Winters and Griffiths, before brown eyes meet with blue ones. "I am as well aware that you are a German officer to the core, and a loyal, competent and good one at that. You fight for the freedom of your homeland rather than for a country you have never been to." When the younger man narrows his eyes in obvious distrust and wonder how Boggs knows about this, the older American Captain smiles wisely. "Your friend, Lieutenant Silberblatt, advised me, Captain."

Dietrich looks baffled by now. "Why do you tell me all this?" "Because I have the impression that you don't expect to be respected, treated as anything but an enemy or even that your life or death means anything to us", Boggs speaks calmly and immediately sees that he has hit the nail on the head when the German officer flinches, tenses and pales visibly, averting his gaze with a swift motion of his head. The younger officer shows the expected reaction of a beaten dog that follows a new master's command while not only expecting, but awaiting to be kicked and beaten again at any given time without knowing or understanding the reason.

"You should be aware, Captain Dietrich, that we have handled our fair share of captured German officers and defectors, but I have never seen anything like what I have been able to observe and experience in the last few days." Captain Brown nods in agreement, while David Troy listens curiously and keeps observing the three infantry officers and their rather insightful exchange. Boggs continues uninterrupted, as Dietrich keeps listening to him with a guarded expression on his averted face. "Many defectors have asked about their future or that of their families, few have wanted to save some of their comrades, but none has actively taken up service changing their uniform and fought for what they projected as their beliefs in order to be accepted as defectors rather than taken prisoners." The German Captain does not look up, but merely nods in confirmation, as this is fairly consistent with his expectations and the strange experience of being suspended in limbo when it has not been clear according to General Atkins whether the bureaucrats would accept his service in their army at all.

Without giving the younger man a pause, Boggs continues: "Nonetheless, every single one of your men who we have interrogated in the last few days has not only spoken about you with the utmost respect, but also almost all of them have insisted that you have been the best officer they have ever served under, even beyond your arrest and death sentence at the responsibility of the SS." A tormented expression settles on the young German Captain's features and his gaze looks haunted when he looks up at the American Captain who makes a dramatic pause of a few seconds before he continues uninterrupted: "Additionally, they all still treat you with respect and reverence in spite of your openly declared defection and wearing an American uniform, as if you have never changed your uniform or turned against your government and its armed forces. Even Major von Stolberg's troops have started to adopt this attitude to my great astonishment." Hans Dietrich can hardly contradict him having just experienced in sickbay what the American Captain describes. "I don't know how you two see this, but if I were to defect and change my uniform to my enemies', I doubt that anyone in this camp would still treat me with respect, almost all of them would be out for my blood and it would probably be the same for you", Captain Brown comments with a wry smile and the two Americans confirm his last statement. The Australian Captain adds: "I've never imagined that what is happening here is even possible." The German Captain furrows his brows, but does not comment further on what he finds himself confronted with, unsure himself how to answer what he perceives as accusations. How can he answer such inquiries, when he has asked himself only today where the lines are to be drawn between sympathy, mercy and compassion for his new enemies, who have been his own men for whom he has taken personal risks and responsibility, and treason against his new allies, who have until recently been his mortal enemies, hounding him relentlessly?

"At the same time", Boggs looks with concern and sympathy at the younger officer who still keeps his dejected posture and is staring at the table in front of him with a slightly glazed gaze, "I have been able to observe the attitude of my own men and the Brits and Australians shift in the past few days. When you arrived in my camp a little more than a week ago, more dead than alive, I was surprised to find all the Rats at your sickbed." The German Captain looks up to meet Boggs' eyes and bears a look of open surprise now, obviously unaware of the fact. Hans Dietrich tries to discern the older American Captain's honesty, but sees no reason for him to lie to him about the Rats. "Back then you were still a German officer serving the Afrikakorps and I found their actions most strange. While I would have thought that they mainly followed Troy I could see that Hitchcock was nervous and concerned, waiting with Pettigrew at your bedside even while the Sergeants were gone. And believe me when I tell you that Troy has not been fussing more when Moffit or one of his Privates was lying on that bed." "He surely hasn't been fussing over me", the younger Troy brother intercedes with a slightly hurt tone. "Why should he after what you have done? After all he has landed you there in the first place", Dietrich growls at the American in the British pilot uniform on instinct to defend his Sergeant. "Gentlemen, please behave according to your ranks!", James Boggs admonishes the two younger men sternly.

Once both have quieted down with sheepish expressions, the older American Captain continues: "Almost all of my officers still distrusted you on the first day after your defection, as we both remember well." Dietrich frowns and grits his teeth again. Boggs sees him press his right arm against his ribs in a subconscious movement. "By now, even Lieutenant Griffiths has voiced his concern over your wellbeing, Lieutenant Adams has done so several times and even Winters asked about you." Again Dietrich looks honestly surprised at the news. Boggs eyes the lean young officer with a sympathetic smile. "You have earned their respect, but even more than the officers' sympathies, you have gained the personal sympathy of many men in this camp independent of uniform and alliance which I have never seen happen before in any camp or unit. Because you have the manner to always show that you actually care about your men, your allies and even your enemies under your care as POWs, I could observe firsthand at the funeral and during the interrogations and reports of several men of different units and origins that every man in camp by now is convinced that you will put them before your own interests or wellbeing." Dietrich muttersunder his breath that this should be a self-evident behaviour of any officer which Boggs does not hear, as he continues: "The Italians with their Lieutenant, the opera singer, thus hold you in as much regard as the Australians who came back today singing your praise to anyone in camp. Private Lancing sounded close to hero worship when he told us about how you saved them and he's not the only soldier in camp who considers you their favourite officer on a personal sympathy level by now." Boggs is perfectly aware that the strict Lieutenant Baker, Griffiths and Winters hold as little personal sympathy among the enlisted men as Lieutenant Adams and he himself for their distanced and stern manner of dealing mainly with the junior officers and Sergeants, leaving the actual interactions with the enlisted men to them.

Captain Brown intercedes as well. "I've been talking with my fellas out of official report sessions. Turns out they were pretty impressed by how you investigated the burnt oil field and even more so by how you handled their stranded comrades. I had several requests asking for you to join our unit to make up for the loss of Lieutenant Taylor, since you are a LRDG officer and by birth neither American nor Australian." Dietrich looks up and like he would like to comment on this, when the Australian Captain raises his hand to gesture for him to stop. "I know that you have your obligations to the Yankees, but that didn't keep my men from asking. What I heard just before dinner now was almost as interesting. I must have failed to grasp this at your report, but Lakatos assured me that not only did you crack that safe of yours and the SS case, but also are you one of his most talented burglary apprentices." While Brown grins widely and his eyes twinkle with amusement, the German scowls and snarls with righteous anger: "I'm not a criminal or in any way inclined to be one!" "Nobody is accusing you of this", James Boggs speaks more calmly with the younger officer who appears as desperate if he has been backed against the wall with no way out. "What I think Captain Brown wishes to communicate is the appreciation and respect you have gained among his men within only two or three days." Dietrich frowns and sighs deeply. "Captain Boggs, Captain Brown. What is the purpose of telling me all this?"

Boggs focuses the younger man in a stern gaze. "You show a risky behaviour that speaks clearly of not caring yourself whether you live or die and it makes me... it makes us worry about you as your colleagues and me as your superior officer. I want to remind you, Captain Dietrich, that even though you might have had nothing left to lose only a week ago that this is not the case nowadays." Dietrich has tensed visibly again and scrutinises their faces in an obvious effort to discern the men's seriousness and honesty. "You're on the one hand by at least five years the youngest officer in camp except for your school friend, the General's advisor. On the other hand you are one of the best officers in this camp and surely the best of those under my command without wishing to insult my colleagues. I want you to know that I'd like to keep you around, fit and well, not only because you are smart, competent, diligent and efficient in your work, but also because I appreciate your advise and sense of humor as well as your personal concern to check on me regularly in spite of not even knowing me personally." Honest surprise starts to register on the young officer's face, as he listens, as much as on the faces of Brown and Troy, but for different reasons. "I couldn't understand why my Sergeant Troy would take the effort of lying to me and on his official reports, simply because he has taken a liking to an enemy officer. I understood him much better within a single day of having you in camp and I share his opinion by now." The German looks astounded and taken aback at the older American Captain's words which the younger Captain has no idea how to deal with or answer to. But one thing he wants to set straight for sure.

"As I have told Sergeant Troy already, I am not suicidal!", Dietrich insists with a harsh tone. "But my attitudes and priorities have shifted since my defection, naturally as you could expect. I have no career to care about and thus less to bother with keeping within the range of proper behaviour, when I see my morals, ideals or sense of justice, duty and honor violated." With dry sarcasm he adds: "I have told General Atkins that after the first death sentence for treason, the threat loses its terror."

A bitter smile appears on the German's bruised face. "I also need not worry anymore about my family's safety back in my fatherland, when saying the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person, or when standing up for the ideals that have once been self-evident for any German officer. Now, the family to be informed in the event of my death is not my own who would wish for my execution, but my best friend's Jewish family who I helped to flee from Nazi Germany." The tall and lean young officer sighs wearily. "I doubt that you understand what kind of sacrifice serving in your army means for... how did you put it, Captain Boggs, someone like me." Dietrich's voice resounds with dry irony and self-mockery as much as an underlying torment and his brown eyes hold a deeply haunted gaze. "Your enemies have once been my allies, maybe even acquaintances, friends or family. I cannot treat them with the same detachment you possess and I am well aware that I constantly walk a fine line between defection and treason when dealing with those of my former side who are neither Nazis nor fanatics or murderers, but ordinary soldiers or officers. After all I have been convicted as a traitor for questioning the concept of hating everyone termed as enemy in spite of having fought in 'a war without hate' as well as not ignoring concepts of morals and human decency upon a superior's order." Dietrich spits Rommel's favourite term with disillusioned anger at those violating the concept. "I have even less reason now to follow orders instead of questioning them, especially since this appears the standard issue in your army anyways." Boggs bears an almost sad expression. "It is also your army now, Captain." Dietrich winces and his already serious expression turns slightly more haunted and tormented, as he murmurs with quiet depression: "You are of course right, it is."

"You are not on enemy territory, Captain", Boggs holds against him. "This is more or less the only thing I wanted to assure you of through this extended speech." The German Captain bears a wary and weary expression, as he asks: "I have led a similar discussion with Sergeant Troy and his Rats only a few days ago and I am still not convinced. I have no doubt about you believing what you say, because you do as much as Sergeant Troy and his gang of mischief makers. But I seriously doubt that this holds true in general. Accepting that I will bear the mark of a traitor and defector for the rest of my time in service of the Allied forces has not been easy, but is more of an understandable concept for me than what you are proposing, Captain Boggs." The American Captain observes the younger man with concern. "I understand why you have to choose such a viewpoint, but would like to advise you not to underestimate people's sentiments, especially among the enlisted men." Dietrich barks a hollow laugh without any mirth or happiness. "I have lost count how many times Troy, Sergeant Sam Troy, had told me that." Even David Troy bears a sympathetic look, as he observes the tormented young officer. His impression and consideration of the German Captain's character has been mostly wrong, the RAF pilot realizes now.

During his own dinner, the American Sergeant is observing the interaction at the officer's table with increasing wariness and worry, as he can observe the German Captain and his face and posture clearly. Dietrich appears tormented, haunted, almost beaten, although not quite, as the proud and stubborn young man keeps struggling in the long minutes their discussion seems to take. At some point watching the German Captain's suffering becomes unbearable for Sam Troy and he whispers to Tully: "We need to extract the Captain. Ideas?" "Just walk over there and pick him up", the Private suggests. Troy shakes his head. "Boggs won't let us overrule him like this." "You wanna help Captain Sherlock?", one of the Australians sitting opposite of Tully who they have saved today asks, as he gazes towards the officer's table. "We'll help you", his neighbor offers. "Brilliant", Troy grins widely. "Now we still need a plan. We could stage a fight and let him break it up." Tully shakes his head and points at Winters and Griffiths. "Better not when the Volcano and Brass Knuckle are around, Sarge."

A soft snore makes Troy look under the table where Fritz is resting after having ended his successful siege. "Hey Fritz. Go to Dietrich, buddy!", Troy commands and points at the officer's table. Fritz wakes up, cocks his head and looks in the direction of his pointing finger, panting but not going anywhere. "Maybe it's the pronunciation", Tully wonders. "Now don't you start that as well! It's bad enough he's constantly annoying me with this", Troy snaps in exasperation. "Probably it's, because the little bugger only understands German." Trying his newly learned and remembered limited vocabulary, Troy orders the confused dog. "Go. Geh, Fritz! Dietrich. Hauptmann." The last word the dog seems to recognize, as it starts wagging its tail. "I doubt this is leading us anywhere, Sergeant", one of their Aussie allies dares to suggest. Troy glares at him, but has to admit defeat.

"We could approach Captain Browny and ask him something to interrupt their talk and you can take the chance and get your Captain", the second Aussie suggests. Troy frowns. "We need something in addition to cause a distraction." "Like filching Winters' whiskey depot?", Tully asks with an expression speaking of a fond memory. "Yeah. But that he will only notice later which is too late." "Not if we tip him off", the Australian soldier suggests. Troy grins. "I like your ideas. What are your names?" "Willy McKenna", the more burly one with brown hair answers. "I'm Jimmy Waylon", his blond lanky friend replies who could rival Moffit's beanstalk stature. "Sam Troy and Tully Pettigrew", the American Sergeant makes their introduction. "We know who you are. You're the Captain's commando unit", Willy answers. From his tone it is perfectly clear which Captain he means.

"So how do we approach this, fellas?", Jimmy asks. "You", Troy points at Tully, "sneak into old Volcano's tent and get some of his Bourbon. You two wait until he's back outside, then you go and tell the Lieutenant over there, the beefy older one who already looks as devoid of any humor as he really is, that you heard some clinking of glass from his tent. You know nothing in detail, just heard noises. That should cause enough of a distraction that I can get Dietrich from the officer's table." The two Aussies exchange grins. "Sounds fun. And we're helping Captain Sherlock", Jimmy says. "We all definitely owe him", Willy adds. Troy smiles widely. Who would have thought that the German officer's reputation and the Aussies' sympathies for him would help him like that? "Let's shake it then!", he gives the command and Tully takes off inconspicuously.

Then, Willy leaves a minute later strolling down the table and greeting a few fellow Aussies, while Jimmy leaves another minute later in another direction turning directly to the tent exit where he meets with his friend again as if coincidentally. Troy smiles contentedly. Those two guys really know what they're doing. Until their return he can only occupy himself with watching Dietrich who has started to argue himself now which has done nothing to reduce the haunted look in his eyes. When Dietrich barks a mirthless laugh, looking utterly tormented as he does, Troy has to restrain himself to not jump to his feet and just return to Tully's original suggestion, abandoning their plan.

Just then, the two Aussies enter the tent again and swiftly approach the Lieutenants' round. The American Sergeant can clearly make out, when the message registers with Winters, as the First Lieutenant's head turns red and he roars like a bull stung by a hornet. Troy observes how all Captains immediately fall silent to look at the commotion with varying emotions ranging from Boggs' irritation to Brown's amusement and his brother's curiosity. Only Dietrich seems mildly surprised, but without really caring what is happening which is disconcerting in the eyes of the American Sergeant. However this is just the opportunity Troy has intended to cease, as he approaches the Captains swiftly.

"Captain Dietrich", he addresses the German who looks up at him with his still haunted looking gaze. "What is it, Sergeant? Has something happened?", the younger man inquires with a strict tone that nonetheless holds some concern hidden underneath. "You could say so. I need you to come with me. I'd rather not discuss it in front of everyone", Troy replies hoping he sounds believable enough. Dietrich frowns and studies him intently, obviously noticing that something is off, unlike Boggs who suggests: "You might as well take care of your men's needs, Captain Dietrich. I fear I will have to take care of mine. Our discussion has mainly been concluded after all." With a sigh the older American Captain gets up and follows after the furious First Lieutenant Winters who is making his way to the exit with all the subtlety and gentleness of an angered wild bull. "Sometimes you have to let a volcano explode", Troy tells Dietrich in a more quiet statement and sees the German furrow his brow and shift his gaze towards Winters' loud ranting almost imperceptibly. Nobody can accuse the young officer of not being perceptive and quick to grasp what is going on, as the German Captain stares at the American Sergeant for a full second appearing at a loss of words, before he recovers and plays along, as he says in an almost smooth tone: "I will have to look into this request of yours, Sergeant. Please excuse me, gentlemen."

As soon as they are out of earshot, Dietrich whispers: "What is this farce all about, Troy?" "I'm extracting you from your interrogation it seems", Troy replies and finds the German Captain utterly perplexed and at a loss of words. "You looked like you needed a friend to bust you out", the American Sergeant adds, since no reply is coming from the baffled German. "You staged this", Dietrich points in the general direction of where Winters has finished ploughing through the tent regardless of losses and now storms out through the exit, "to save me from Boggs, Brown and your brother?" The German officer sounds as incredulous as he looks. "You could call it that. I even recruited some helpers who felt they owe you. Some of the Aussies really adore you", Troy explains while he leads the younger officer out of the canteen. "I just heard something similar from your mentor, Captain Brown", Dietrich mutters, then inquires with more irony: "Does your Captain know about your escapade?" "You're pretty well informed I'd say", Troy replies with a grin. "You know what I mean, Troy", the German officer growls. "Do you always go behind Boggs' back like that?" The American Sergeant shrugs, bearing a roguish grin. "He should be used to it by now. And it's better for his nerves, if he doesn't know everything." "That would be better for my nerves as well", Dietrich argues with a slight groan, as he steps out of the tent and stops to let his eyes adapt to the darkness outside. "You're too smart for your own good", Troy tells him with clear amusement, as he puts his hand on the German's good shoulder and starts to steer the tall Captain through the dark camp without being too obvious about it. Although the younger man winces briefly and has tensed under his grip, he is not trying to extract himself after realizing the intention of showing him their intended direction in this way.

"Sarge, Cap", Tully whispers, as he steps out of the darkness. Troy feels Dietrich tense, as the tall officer stops in surprise at being approached so suddenly by the commando soldier in the dark of night. This kind of situation holds countless unhappy memories for the officer. "Don't worry. We won't harm you", Troy whispers into the lean German's ear. Scowling slightly, the tall Captain nods almost imperceptibly which the American Sergeant can feel from the movement of the German's muscles in his neck and shoulder rather than see the slight motion. Trusting the two commando soldiers to lead him almost blindly through the camp feels like a leap of faith for the German officer. Only after they have directed him to enter a dark tent and closed the flap behind them, does someone light an electric torch.

"Operation Volcano was successful", Tully declares with a grin. "Do I even want to know?", Dietrich inquires with a groan. "Cheers, Captain", an unknown soldier with Australian accent speaks from the half-light and the German Captain tenses immediately. "T'was an honor to help you and your lads", a second Australian adds. With furrowed brows, the young officer tries to make out the two soldiers' faces, inquiring a tad sharply: "Who are you?" "Willy McKenna" and "Jimmy Waylon", the two Aussies introduce themselves. "You got us out of that desert today, Captain." Now that he can make out the short, burly and the tall, lanky soldier's outline, Dietrich also sees that they each hold a tin cup in their hand. Paying some more attention to the smell inside the tent, he can make out the characteristic aroma of strong liquor.

"Don't tell me that you managed to set up a moonshine still in camp, Pettigrew!", the German drawls sarcastically. "No, Cap. We got ourselves an invitation from the brass tonight", the Kentucky driver replies with a grin, shifting his matchstick. "We might just have forgotten to ask for the Volcano's agreement", Troy adds with a grin of his own. "Is this some sort of payback for Moffit's tea tirade, Sergeant, that you feel like involving me as an accomplice in your scheme?", Dietrich asks dryly. "Definitely not", the American Sergeant growls, "I have to think about something better for that. You can rather consider it a show of trust on our behalf, as you could sell us out." "I'm not in the habit of selling out my own men", the German snaps, then looks at the Australians, "or their allies." Pinching his nose, he adds wearily: "Swear to me that you won't make it a habit to prank your league of officers. Definitely not without consulting me first." "Sure, Cap", Tully agrees immediately, not having expected to get away so lightly. "You have our word, Captain", Troy affirms and the Aussies agree with similar formulations. "Next time you feel like creating a divergence, just start a discussion with your brother, Sergeant", Dietrich replies with dry sarcasm. "That should create an equal amount of chaos without annoying Winters and Boggs." Sam Troy grins at the assessment. "I'll consider it next time, Captain."

"You want some, Cap", Tully offers the tall German his canteen which smells suspiciously of strong alcohol. "This doesn't look like a proper whiskey bottle to me", the German Captain comments dubiously. "I had to get rid of the evidence real quickly", Tully explains. Dietrich sighs wearily, before he comments dryly: "Of course, the spoils of war. It is better however, if I don't drink any of that, as I have to return to sickbay for my treatment and the nurses there would notice the smell immediately." Troy smiles: "Your loss, Captain. But it's really considerate of you to not rat us out." "I'm just trying to avoid further rumours in camp that I'm in the league with moonshiners, thieves and worse. It's bad enough Brown calls me an apprentice burglar and Atkins is fairly convinced that I'm a rogue." Focusing an icy glare at the assembled men, he adds with a serious tone: "Don't even think about creating a new theme for absurd nicknames out of this, Sergeant! That also applies to you, Privates." "Nothing new. I swear it", Troy affirms with defensively raised hands. "Robin Hood and his merry men is not new though", he adds with a grin. "Troy!", Dietrich snaps in exasperation.

When the German Captain makes his way toward the sickbay a few minutes later, he takes great care to avoid the tent of First Lieutenant Winters. As the tall officer quietly steps into the sickbay, noone takes notice of him at first and he can quickly make his way to the officer's ward before catching anybody's attention. "Shalom, Hans", Jakob Silberblatt addresses his friend with clear relief, pulling him into an embrace before the German Captain has the time to think about it. "It's good to have you back and know that you're alright." Jakob sounds honestly relieved and puts his hand on his friend's shoulder, guiding him to his bed.

The interaction of the two friends has stirred Ari in his sleep. With a start the Jewish boy wakes up and looks around disoriented with bleary tired eyes, until he recognizes the young German. "Hans!", the child squeaks enthusiastically and is out of bed, before Dietrich has the chance to intercept him. Wrapping his arms around the tall man's waist, the boy huddles against the German Captain. "*Ari. You should go back to bed*", Hans Dietrich admonishes with a friendly tone patting the child's head gently. "*Will you stay?*", the boy wants to know. "*I will stay for now and receive the treatment for my injuries*", the young officer tries to console him. "*I feel safer, when you're here with me*", the child explains nestling to his newly declared brother. With a sigh the German Captain replies: "*I will stay for the night. Don't worry and go back to bed now.*" After squeezing the tall man tightly to thank him for the reassurance, Ari finally lets himself be brought back to bed.

Once he has tugged the child in, Hans Dietrich is not surprised to find the Swiss nurse Regula already standing behind him next to his friend Jakob. "Herr Hauptmann. Der Doktor Andrews hat g'sagt, dass wir uns Ihre Schulter nochmals vornehmen sollen und Ihnen dann ein paar Übungen zeigen", the Swiss nurse explains that Andrews has instructed them to take care of the Captain's shoulder and show him some exercises as well. "Ich kann mich nur für Ihre bisherige Behandlung bedanken. Sie hat mir großartig geholfen, auch wenn mir sämtliche Muskeln im Schulterbereich wehtun", the German Captain expresses his gratitude that their treatment has helped his mobility and agility excellently, but confesses that all muscles in the shoulder belt hurt. The pudgy nurse Regula smiles widely and eyes the young man with an assessing gaze. "Ziehen Sie bitte Jacke und Hemd aus, damit wir dann mit der Wärmetherapie beginnen können, bevor Sie duschen gehen, ehe ich die Massage durchführe." Dietrich complies without any complaint with her orders to take off his jacket and shirt, so that she can start the treatment with the heated stones and the massage after he has taken a shower. Meanwhile the Swiss nurse drags Lieutenant Silberblatt along to help her with preparing the stones.

"May I help you, Captain?", Jack Moffit startles the young German officer with his question while he struggles with getting his injured arm out of his jacket sleeve. Recovering quickly from his surprise, Hans Dietrich replies with a neutral tone: "Your help would be most welcome at the moment, Doctor." While helping the younger Captain, Moffit conducts his intended inquiry: "Rumor in camp has it that several Aussies have asked to join your unit and that some Americans and even a Brit or two consider this as well. Can you tell me something about this, Captain?" Dietrich looks baffled and replies with a sarcastic tone: "You are obviously better informed than I am, Sergeant. I have barely made it back to camp at the break of dusk and only been confronted about some of this by Captain Brown at dinner. That Americans or Brits have also asked for a potential transfer is completely new information for me. I have considered Private Lakatos' request this afternoon rather as a joke than a serious application."

Moffit smiles wryly. "My faithful tea compatriot, Lieutenant Johnson, has told me about this and Major Bracken has confronted me for almost a full hour, demanding that I explain to him what is going on in the head of a soldier who asks for such an absurd thing as the transfer to an American patrol unit under the command of a German, since I am such a soldier myself." Dietrich raises his eyebrows in a questioning manner, as the Brit helps him out of his shirt sleeve. "I have always wondered what motivates you. Would you care to explain it to me as well, Doctor?"

The British Sergeant eyes the lean German officer before him, weighing his answer, while the Swiss nurse instructs Dietrich to take off his boots and socks before lying down on his stomach. Once the Captain has adopted his position for the treatment and the stones are placed on his neck, back and shoulders, Jack Moffit sits down in the sand in front of him to lead their discussion without any interruption and Jakob Silberblatt takes a seat beside him in a similar position. "You know that I am an anthropologist by training, Captain Dietrich", the British officer explains with a professional tone. The German officer gives a short murmur in acknowledgment trying not to move too much by nodding. "When I first joined the armed forces, it was to defend Dunkirk. We all know how this ended. I lost my heart to a lovely French Mademoiselle along with being shot in the leg and barely making it out alive. However, this experience only increased my motivation to fight for the Allies. Most of the North African patrol troopers are Australians and they are quite wary of the Brits." Dietrich raises his eyebrows in a questioning look. Moffit replies with dry humor: "The commonwealth is not as united with one heart and soul as one might think or expect. The Canadians distrust the Australians, the Scots and Welsh distrust the English. It's like one big quarreling family." The German Captain and the Lieutenant exchange bemused looks. "Don't you tell me about quarreling allies, separated by speaking the same language, more or less, Sergeant. The Bavarians dislike the Prussians, the Austrians resent all Germans in general. From 'Saupreusse' to 'Piefke' I have learned more curse words for insulting Germans from my allies than from my enemies. It's almost as friendly a relation as between the Troy brothers." The Brit who has spent a few years in Munich and thus knows the Bavarians' attitude towards the Northern Germans firsthand smiles at the Captain's descriptions. Comparing them to the constantly squabbling David and Sam Troy has its merits, not just from a viewpoint of dry humor.

"I see we perfectly understand each other, Captain", Moffit comments dryly. "Thus, as you can likely imagine, when an American Colonel requested me specifically to support their forces with the experience and knowledge acquired in my years in North Africa and when working on my PhD thesis I just couldn't say no, as little as you could, when General Rommel promoted you to a Panzer Hauptmann in spite of you being an artillery officer by training." Dietrich nods in understanding trying not to strain his neck too much as he does this with the hot stones lying on him. "Although I can imagine that you have felt flattered and respected, would you wish to return to a British unit considering the vastly changed circumstances?", the German Captain inquires with a carefully kept neutral tone. The young officer is too well-bred to voice his actual question explicitly. Although the answer to this question is of course of great professional relevance to him, Jack believes that he can make out honest curiosity. The fact that the Swiss nurse sends the German Captain out to take a shower before his final treatment buys him some time to think about the young officer's question in earnest. The British Seargent does not doubt for a moment that the Captain would consider it a matter of honour to let him go, if he so wishes. But does he wish to leave, now that the German is in command of their unit which has admittedly changed their social dynamics greatly? Would he find it easier to serve under a pedantic old school British officer, such as Major Bracken, rather than the young German Captain? Even though Hans Dietrich is an officer and gentleman to the last fibre of his being, honorable, decent and compassionate, the man has a roguish tendency for breaking rules just to take the moral initiative and defend his principles that can rival Sam Troy's, though he does not feel suicidal enough to tell this Dietrich to his face.

Jakob Silberblatt accompanies his friend to help him, should he need it, carrying his fresh clothes, while the German Captain has wrapped a towel around his shoulders, not bothering to struggle into a shirt for the few meters to the showers with almost everybody in the sickbay already asleep. "Several of the soldiers treated here in sickbay today sang your praise and told some bold adventure stories how you have saved them", Jakob tells his friend, hoping to cheer him up, as he takes his shower. "Has Troy successfully managed to spread the 'Captain Sherlock' nickname within a single day?", Hans growls sarcastically. "I think I've heard that a few times. It's a really great nickname. I wish I had one like that", Jakob replies cheerfully. "I wish I didn't. You could have it, if this was up to me", the German officer offers his friend with dry humor that makes Jakob grin. He has really missed Hans' sense of humor in the last four years, the only ones since their early childhood when they have been separated.

When the two friends return to the officer's ward, nurse Regula and Jack Moffit kill their waiting time by chatting quietly. Once the German Captain has returned to his previous position lying down flat on his stomach and Moffit and Silberblatt have sat down in the sand before him again, the Swiss nurse starts her massage and the three soldiers continue their discussion. "I have given your question some thought, Captain", the Brit announces gravely. "Before or after chatting with the nurse, Sergeant?", Dietrich inquires dryly. "That's the kind of behaviour I would have expected from Hitchcock rather than you, Doctor." Exchanging glances with Silberblatt, both bear an equally bemused smile at the dry statement. "My thoughts and topics were all chaste and proper, weren't they, nurse Regula?", Moffit defends himself with a tone that clearly speaks of his taking the whole episode with as much humor as the Captain. "Oh. Ja, ja", Regula confirms slightly confused, as the first adjective surpasses her knowledge of English vocabulary. "Er hat behauptet, dass Ihr Gespräch und sein Inhalt nur keusch und anständig waren, Schwester Regula", the German Captain translates for her benefit and the pudgy young woman looks slightly surprised between the lanky British Sergeant with his gentlemanly manners and slightly accented German and the lean young officer who she has once mistaken for a bold and handsome desert adventurer a few months ago. As Moffit understands him just as well as Jakob Silberblatt does, both bear their grins at the poor nurse' perplexed reaction to being drawn into their squabbles.

"Now that the matter of honor is settled let's get back to the answer to your question, Captain", the Brit addresses the younger man who winces and has clenched his jaws tightly by now in obvious pain from the massage treatment. As the dark bruise has not faded within the last day, Jakob as well as Jack can imagine that it must be incredibly painful to have his shoulders and neck kneaded through in such a state, but the success is undeniable, as Hans Dietrich has not even been able to use his arm at all and required a sling on the previous day. "Your question, as I assume, has been meant to make me consider how I can handle your style of command and the change of group dynamics in our unit, as well as whether or not I can accept you as my commanding officer", the British scholar declares in a manner of speech that reminds of a Cambridge university lecture. "Indeed", the German manages to grind out between his gritted teeth. "We have never been close to friends, Captain, but I have to give you credit for your absolutely professional way of treating me along with all members of our unit, as we are all aware that you have suffered severe losses on our behalf and would have every right to be bitter and resentful." "It was not personal, but was a matter of the armies we served", Dietrich counters with a pained expression breathing heavily while trying to fight the pain of his treatment. "Yes it was. But we are all humans and have our flaws. So it would have been understandable for you to react like that", Moffit counters calmly.

"Your presence alone has changed the way the members of our unit interact with each other and you, to my great surprise", the Brit admits. "I would not have expected Troy to behave that much like..." Moffit seems to still search for the right word. "Mother hen?", the German supplies helpfully with a sarcastic tone. "In a sense yes. But I would term it more like the older brother immensely protective of his younger sibling, although this does not fit the Troy brothers' actual interaction at all, at least in the past few days. Before that, when we saved David from his certain demise in a minefield, things looked quite different." Dietrich scowls at the comparison and the reminder of the unruly duo that has cost him his last nerves in the past two days. "Hitch has a strange mixture of jealosy and adoration he seems to hold for you. Tully appears terribly behaved, but I have never seen him as tame and well-behaved toward any officer. You have really earned his respect and that is a feat, believe me Captain. It took me about five times as long as you to get not quite this far", Moffit continues his assessment.

"Your new recruit, Corporal Gottschlich, is a troubled soul, a half-Japanese American with a German grandfather and surname has to have a terrible life in the U.S. army nowadays. His attitude of you is close to hero worship and definitely not the usual attitude toward a previously unknown commanding officer. He was truly down-cast to have disappointed you and asked for my advise." Dietrich suppresses a groan of pain and grinds out: "He told me so. Thank you for taking care of him." Moffit smirks at the answer. "I have warned Captain Boggs that you are even better at collecting strays than Troy, but he didn't take me seriously. Now you have that annoying dog Fritz, the orphaned boy Ari who considers you as his caregiver and brother, Corporal Gottschlich, the mobbed young American soldier, and your outcasts among the German soldiers of your previous unit, your Feldwebel and the desperate young soldier, who you regularly take care of and the number of cases is only ever increasing." The German Captain scowls at him. "It is a matter of honor to not leave them to die in the ditch." "It is for you, Captain. This is one of your qualities and strengths. You can motivate and convince those who are the outcasts in other people's eyes which also includes Tully and to a certain degree even Troy. It is something I can only admire you for, as I don't have this ability." Dietrich looks baffled at the assessment, but does not argue with the British Sergeant.

"I have asked myself the question, if I were to leave the unit under your command, how I would fare under the command of the classical old school British officer compared to you. To my chagrin I have to admit that I prefer your and Troy's style of handling things to Major Bracken's by far. But please do me the favor to not tell the Major, Captain!" Dietrich smiles with wry humour, as does his Jewish friend. "I also appreciate your sense of humor and way of handling serious matters in a way that they are less... hurtful through some humor added. I don't doubt your honesty, decency, honorability and willingness to stand up for your moral principles, sense of justice and compassion for a moment. I distrusted and resented you for these openly displayed qualities, when you were a loyal member of the Deutsche Afrikakorps, because I suspected a trick or trap. But you are not that kind of person, Captain. And now that we can serve on the same side and stand up for the same ideals not only under a time limited truce, I am deeply honored to serve with you and would wish to keep doing so, if you wish to keep me." Dietrich actually looks startled at the last words. With a calm and controlled tone, he answers: "I thank you for your honesty, Doctor Moffit. I have no reason for not wishing to keep a man of your education, language skill, martial ability and good breeding." Jack Moffit smiles at the younger man's choice of qualities to point out. "I would shake your hand normally to seal such a contract, but I don't wish to inconvenience you any more than you already are", the British Sergeant replies. "You simply have to help me move my arm to the side a little to do that", the German Captain counters dryly. Following the officer's suggestion with the help of Silberblatt and Regula, Moffit finally manages to shake hands with the German.

By the time the massage treatment is finished Dietrich looks flattened, exhaustion and weariness so obviously visible in his haggard face that it is hard not to allow him to get his deserved rest. Nonetheless, nurse Regula enforces his proper execution of the physical exercises to help his shoulder with the relentlessness of a practiced drill Sergeant. After the half-hour of gymnastics the German looks dead on his feet and is swaying so precariously that Silberblatt and Moffit each step within grabbing range. Jakob holds his friend's arm, while the nurse sets a cannula for the morphine infusion to help him to sleep in spite of the pain, but the young Captain has already drifted off to sleep by the time it is half-finished. Only with his features relaxed by sleep, does the young age of the German officer become visible Moffit has to admit, as he observes the scene.