As Hans Dietrich wakes up, Fritz jumps from the lower end of his bed and pretends to have always been lying under the bed. "Fritz!", the German officer admonishes him in a strict tone. "Du weißt, du hast im Bett nichts zu suchen." Although the dog knows perfectly well that he is not supposed to jump onto his master's bed, he has started to adopt this habit during their trip to Tobruk and tends to fall back into this misbehaviour from time to time. The Captain blames Troy's bad influence who has initiated everything with his pranks. His second guest in bed does not even need Troy to come up with impertinent ideas. Bastet, the kitten, is unperturbed by him scolding Fritz and remains lying curled up on his stomach. Once, she notices her pillow waking she starts purring loudly, rubbing her head on the bed cloth. Her purrs get more intense, when the Captain scratches the little animal behind the ears, before picking it up then placing it on the bed next to him along with his blanket.
As Hans gets shaved, washed and dressed for the day, the young German realizes that today is Christmas Eve. In Germany, this is traditionally the day for celebrating Christmas, but the last two years of celebration with the Italian troops have taught him that this is not necessarily the same in the rest of the world. While the Austrians and Hungarians have celebrated on the same evening, the Italians use to celebrate on Christmas Day itself. Arranging schedules with Captain Boggs and the Allied HQ has made him aware that the Americans and Brits, along with the oversea colonies, also celebrate on the next day. As the only Christian German in the vicinity, he has abandoned any thought of keeping his familiar tradition and accepted to adapt to the Anglo Saxons, but wants to at least attend mass on the day he considers one of the most important Christian festivities. An old acquaintance from his days with the Axis troops, Pater Pio Gugliamo, is still the priest of the local church and head of the Christian missionary station in Tobruk and celebrating a mass in the early afternoon.
Fritz is overjoyed at the intense smell of all the delicacies the kitchen is already preparing a day in advance before the festivities, while the kitten has remained sleeping curled up on his bed and the young officer intends to kick her out only after breakfast, when he has to go on duty. Although James Boggs looks a bit baffled, Dietrich still wishes him a merry Christmas, as he sits with him for breakfast. "Isn't it a day too early, Captain Dietrich?", the American Captain asks. Dietrich sighs briefly and explains his dilemma: "In my homeland we typically celebrate on Christmas Eve which is also the reason why we have many Christmas songs revolving around night and evening, like 'Silent Night'. However, not a single person in this camp shares this tradition, so I will adapt to yours, but would like to ask for permission to take the afternoon off to attend the service at the Italian mission church." The American Captain is almost more surprised to hear that the German asks for an afternoon off than the difference in Christmas traditions between the countries. "You've never asked for anything unless it's important. Of course, you can have the afternoon off, Captain Dietrich. I'd even take you off duty for the whole day", Boggs offers. "Thank you for the offer, but this will not be necessary", the young officer replies a bit stiffly.
As the traditional Christmas truce has been renewed this year, they have no armed patrol duty for the day and the German Captain walks into the city instead to perform his personal patrol round there, keeping contacts with his informants about suspicious activities of enemy spies and commandos who might not heed the truce the official Italian and German troops respect and consider a relief as well. One of the street kids Dietrich keeps as an informant approaches him. "*Effendi, I got what you asked me to organize. I can lead you to the trader who will sell you your goods.*" "*Well done, Ahmed!*", Hans praises the young teenager. The German officer is well aware that the term trader is a euphemism, as fence or smuggler would likely be more appropriate. But what he wants would be impossible for him to get through any legal and official channels, so he will have to deal with the shady elements of Tobruk's bazaar. The kaftan the Captain wears over his uniform serves to keep him warm on this December day in addition to making him stand out among the Arabs as he usually would with his military attire.
As he follows the youngster through the winding streets of Tobruk's market area, Hans Dietrich memorizes his way diligently, since the last thing he wants is to get lost here. Being smaller and younger Ahmed moves through the crowds with a lot more agility than the German officer who tries to avoid any collisions or drawing too much attention to himself. The lean Captain looks relieved however, when his guide finally declares that they have reached their goal, as he stands at the entrance to a rather shabby, rundown shop that does not look like any European or American in his right mind should step into. Handing the boy a coin, Dietrich mutters: "*Thank you, Ahmed. Let's hope this turns out well.*" The teenager bites on the silvery coin and then looks at it closely, before he exclaims in almost shock: "*That's a full dollar, effendi!*" "*You've done your job well as you have others before, Ahmed. And I'm a Christian celebrating Christmas. So giving a gift is part of my religion and tradition*", the tall Captain explains calmly. "*Wait for me here to accompany me back.*" The boy is still in awe, as he declares: "*Of course, effendi. I hope you will be happy with what Hamid can offer you.*" "*I hope so too. I will see you later, Ahmed*", the German officer replies, before stepping into the half-light of the shop.
After the first few steps, Dietrich concludes that the next time he should take Moffit with him, as the collected gears, gadgets and local craftworks of all kinds would likely bring true joy to the anthropologist. Feeling at his belt that his Colt is located where he can draw it in case of an emergency or ambush reassures the German Captain well enough to continue through the narrow rows of shelves reaching until the ceiling which ends only a few centimeters above his head. At the end of this little maze he reaches a corner, where two Arabs are sitting with a copper pot of tea on a small table and two cups, one next to each of them, as they play backgammon. "As-salamu 'alaikum", Dietrich greets them, unsure who is the actual 'trader'. "Wa-'alaikumu s-salam", both Arabs greet him back and one of them stands up to approach the customer. "*What can I do for you, effendi?*", the man greets him in a servile way, once he is close enough to see that the beardless face of the tall man belongs to a European. "*My friend Ahmed has told me that you can sell me something special ... German beer*", Dietrich replies straight forward, as he has no intention to play the long game of exchanging niceties, before starting the actual business deal, since he has little intention of returning to this place.
The Arab looks at him intently. "*Du bist Deutsch?*", he asks in rather grammatically incorrect German whether his customer is a German. "Ich bin Deutscher", the Captain replies through narrowed eyes. "Jetzt hier andere Soldaten", the man tries to continue this conversation in a way that violates the German's native tongue in such a manner that it hurts his ears. "*I am aware that there are other soldiers than the Germans here nowadays. I ... have no troubles with them. I simply want to buy some German beer*", he replies in fluent Arabic with a slight accent. The trader finally accepts that his customer speaks his own language far better than he speaks the foreign tongue and replies in the local Arabic dialect: "*I'm the expert for buying and selling ... uncommon wares. I still have some bottles of German beer from ... a special seller who has access to exotic products.*" "*Meaning he stole them from the German officers' mess*", Dietrich counters with a smirk. "*Stealing is such a naughty word. It implies sins and crimes. My seller ... found it, when everybody cared for more important business like fighting a war*", the trader replies with a sly expression. So he has been right after all, the man is a fence for stolen goods, the German officer concludes. But in this case his sympathy for the German officers who have once been his colleagues and comrades in arms is limited. Sitting down to drink strong beer, while their troops are starving is a mentality he cannot sympathize with.
"*Just take a seat, effendi*", the trader tells him and points at his own stool. "*Reza will pour you a cup of tea, while I bring the wares for you to check.*" The other Arab has already taken a fresh tea cup and poured some strong black tea mixed with herbs into it, before handing it to the Captain. "*Do you play backgammon, effendi?*", he inquires after studying the tall European from head to toe. "*Sometimes*", Dietrich replies cautiously, unsure whether the man intends to sell him a game set. But the Arab picks up the stones and piles them on the starting positions for the game then he hands the perplexed German two dice. "*You may start. Maybe you're a better player than Nasir. He is no challenge at all*", the man offers as an explanation. Since he still wants to trade something hard to obtain with the trader, antagonising his friend is not the best idea, Dietrich assesses. In addition, he has nothing better to do while waiting, but still asks cautiously suspecting some scam: "*We're not playing for money, are we?*" "*Just for fun, effendi*", the Arab tells him. Shrugging the German rolls the dice and revises what he knows about the game's rules, how to best move his stones.
Five minutes later, when the game is close to finishing, the trader Nasir returns with several bottles in his hands. "*Here is your beer, effendi!*" "*Hush. Not now, Nasir*", Reza reprimands him. "*I have finally found an interesting and competent partner to play with.*" "*I'm a competent partner to play with*", the trader huffs, sounding slightly insulted. "*You move just any stone without any strategy*", Nasir counters and moves one of his stones into its home corner with a content smile. "*That is a strategy as well... Take what you get, I always say*", Nasir holds against him. His opponent narrows his eyes, as the German manages to move one of his stones into the home corner as well. "*About as reasonable a strategy as a drunken monkey's who has gulped too many fermented dates*", Reza counters sarcastically, then starts to curse as the dice do not favor him in the next roll. Two rounds later each of the opponents has only a single stone left on the board and mere luck will decide about winning and losing. When Reza moves his stone into the corner first and crows with delight, the German smiles nonetheless. It has been a good and interesting game. Strategy mixed with more randomness through dice rolls than happens with Check or Bridge makes Backgammon actually more realistic than the pure strategy board games, he reflects. And as usual in such cases Fortuna has not been on his side. But here he suffers no actual loss and has won through an interesting game.
Reza pours him another cup of tea now. "*If you have the time, you could come more often for a friendly game. I'm usually here in the morning to help my brother in law with the shop*", he offers with an open-hearted tone that still baffles the German, although he has known these people's mentality for more than twelve years. "*I might come again and may bring a friend along who would be interested in your more ... exotic wares*", the Captain replies cautiously. Now even Nasir smiles widely. "*Wonderful, effendi. You are always welcome and so is your friend. We like good and friendly customers. Since we are friends now and you played with my brother in law I'm willing to give you a special offer for your wares. Eight bottles for four dollars*", he offers magnanimously. Although this is still overpriced for normal standards, considering supply problems, the fact that it is a genuine German beer which Dietrich is confirming from the bottles and labels and that during the Christmas festivities selling overpriced beer will be easier than usual, the offer is a fair one. Nonetheless, Dietrich knows the custom around here well enough to not simply accept an offer without negotiating, as this would insult the trader. "*Considering your ... ominous way of finding this specialty, we could arrange a lower price... like three dollars.*" Nasir grimaces in an exaggerated drama performance that would have made Marcello, the Opera Singer, proud. "*My children will remain hungry and my wife will scold me for selling so cheaply, but since you are a special friend, I will accept your offer*", the trader agrees with practiced melodrama. "*Excellent*", the German agrees and they shake hands to officially seal the deal.
Then, the Captain takes off his kaftan and reveals an empty backpack which has been hidden underneath the clothing but serves now for carrying the bottles. Reza looks at his uniform intently, before the German puts the kaftan on again. "*This is the uniform of the soldiers who are here now. The ones who are not German. But you are German. Are you a spy?*", he inquires with creased brows. Dietrich tenses, then shakes his head. "*No. I ... changed sides*", he explains vaguely. "*Away from the loosers*", Nasir comments with a wink. "*I can understand that. I could see right away that you're a smart guy.*" "*Away from the ones who tortured and murdered your fellow countrymen for reasons that served my homeland in no way, while they sentenced me to death for standing by my moral principles*", the Captain growls proudly. Reza looks thoughtful and even Nasir hesitates. "*You're proud like a young lion, soldier*", the Backgammon player comments calmly. "*You sound honorable, but your pride might harm you.*" "*We will not tell the other Germans about you*", Nasir confirms. The young officer narrows his eyes now, as he inquires sharply: "*Other Germans?*" "*We have many customers*", Nasir tries to dodge the question. "*And we have sold things to Germans before the new soldiers arrived, even learned the language, although you speak ours far better, but that is really rare.*" "*But you still have other Germans coming to you as customers*", Dietrich insists now. "*Yes, but we don't want any fights here. Don't come here to shoot or kill!*", Reza counters now. "*I cannot guarantee that your other customers will respect that and not shoot at me*", the German replies with dry sarcasm. "*We will make sure you never meet here*", Reza tells him magnanimously.
Dietrich nods, but his mind works on thoughts about how to trace the customers who are German spies from this shop and whether they come regularly or at irregular intervals. In any case, taking Reza's offer to come for a Backgammon game once in a while might actually have strategic value for uncovering counterintelligence. "*Am I still invited for playing Backgammon or do you wish to retract your offer?*", he asks cautiously. Reza exchanges a glance with Nasir who shrugs. "*You may still come, but only under one condition.*" The German Captain raises his eyebrows in a questioning manner. "*You know our names. When you wish to come to play as a friend, we would like to know yours.*" This is a reasonable request, the German considers, before he replies calmly: "*My name is Hans Dietrich.*" Reza actually tenses now and stares at the tall European more intently. "*I heard your name several times when the Germans were still in the city. You are not a soldier, you are a commander of soldiers.*" "*I am an officer*", the Captain confirms proudly. "*And I have stayed several times in the city with my unit for a few days each time.*" "*We are honored to have an important commander in our little shop*", Nasir bows and the German starts to worry that he might begin to think about a price on his head. "*I'm not important, but an officer nonetheless*", he counters.
"*You wouldn't bother about somebody as irrelevant as us to report us to your authorities*", Nasir adds a bit more nervously now and the Captain finally understands what he is aiming for. "*I'm inclined to not look too deeply into the business of my friends who would never consider selling me to my enemies*", he states his ultimatum as clearly as he dares. "*Of course. What kind of friend would do that?*", Nasir laughs nervously. "*What kind of friend indeed?*", the German officer replies dryly. Their gazes meet and each nods, accepting the balance of threats against the other to keep each in place. Dietrich could not care less about uncovering some small fence or not, as he is a military officer and not with the police force after all. Maybe Moffit is right with his Robin theme after all, he definitely has some very roguish tendencies, if he is honest with himself. This self-reflection is a bit uncomfortable, while he puts the bottles in his backpack. "*May Allah protect you!*", Nasir tells him, once he is finished with packing and Reza repeats the same phrase. "*May Allah protect you and our paths meet again*", the German replies and turns to leave. This shopping tour has been more informative than he would have expected.
Ahmed already awaits him nervously outside. "*Effendi, you were inside very long*", he comments with worry audible in his voice. "*Nasir, Reza and I have discussed future business deals as well as this one... and we played Backgammon*", Dietrich replies smoothly. The teenager looks baffled, but nods in acceptance. "*Come with me, effendi. I will show you the fastest way out of here.*" Again the German officer concentrates hard to memorize the paths Ahmed guides him through. Mere five minutes later they are back at the main square and their ways separate. The teenager is still awed by his rich reward and the Captain content to have guaranteed his informant's loyalty and learned about a location for observing and uncovering German spies in Tobruk. His way leads him directly back to his unit's HQ and there to his room. Fritz is sleeping curled up on the doorstep, apparently full and content to sleep in peace. His new partner in crime, the kitten Bastet lies curled up right next to him. When the German Captain approaches however, the little dog jumps to his feet and up on him, putting his front paws on the tall officer's thigh, while the cat merely shifts and stretches a bit without bothering to get up. "Schon gut Fritz", Dietrich mutters and pets his faithful mascot over the head. "Jetzt geh schon runter von mir." Happy to have his master back, Fritz follows him into the room, where the Captain puts the backpack on his office chair, takes off the kaftan and puts on his crusher cap to appear properly dressed in front of James Boggs.
Being told to move out of the room again is less to Fritz' and Bastet's liking who have curled up under the bed, but Dietrich does not want to leave either animal alone in a locked room for hours, as neither the dog who is at home in the desert and with the units roaming freely there nor the cat is house-trained. With a weary sigh, Fritz trots out of the room, while Bastet let's herself get outside and curls up on the doorstep next to her dog protector again, as Dietrich locks the door. Scratching their little mascots one last time behind the ears, he leaves to report to his colleague. James Boggs looks up with surprise that the German officer is already back before lunchtime and standing at attention before his desk after saluting sharply. "Has something happened, Captain Dietrich?", he inquires with concern. The tall German nods. "You could say so. I have learned by chance about a location where German spies who according to my sources still remain in Tobruk come to obtain ... special and rare supplies." The older American stares at him. "Do I even want to know how you learned about this?", he asks wearily. "I doubt it, Captain Boggs", Dietrich replies dryly. Boggs nods in acceptance. The German Captain is reliable enough to not keep vital information, but has some roguish ways that make him quite worthy of being the Rats' commander. However knowing about them in detail would cost the older officer too many nerves. "I trust you to report anything of importance to me", Boggs tells his younger colleague after a deep sigh. "Of course, Sir", the tall German officer replies proudly.
Boggs checks his watch and then addresses the lean Captain: "A few minutes to twelve might still be a bit early for lunch, but would you care to join me nonetheless? You can have your afternoon off right afterwards, as all is quiet except for the rumors of spies you've dragged to my door." "I'm sorry for ruining your Christmas Eve", the German replies with an actually slightly apologetic tone, although some sarcasm is audible as well. "You're doing your job diligently. I can hardly accuse you of any misgivings, just because you're dedicated and reliable to work even when others don't bother anymore. But I'd still like to see you relax a bit", Boggs replies calmly and Dietrich nods with actual respect. "I will of course join you for lunch, Captain Boggs." The older Captain smiles now. "They have fresh fish in the officers' mess today", he tells the younger man with a dreamy expression. Fresh fish feels like a luxury after months in the desert living mainly on tinned supplies. Even Dietrich's expression lights up at the prospect and they both make their way to the mess hall.
Except for an excellently prepared cod menu with vegetables and rice, nothing special takes place during lunch and the two Captains part their ways right after with Boggs returning to his office and Dietrich going back to his room to exchange his uniform for more neutral civil clothes, trousers, a shirt and simple jacket, as he does not wish to go to the monastery and attend the holy service in uniform. Fritz has given up his position on his doorstep to besiege the kitchen instead and Bastet has chosen a more quiet location for her afternoon sleep, so he can go in and out unperturbed. The monastery as far as Hans remembers has a guest house for pilgrims to the Holy Land and a hospital attached which also serves to provide medical aid and care for those who would be too poor to go to any proper medic or hospital and he knows that they always need something there. Making a decision, Hans walks to the monastery right away instead of strolling around the city, as he has originally intended.
The guest house for pilgrims is opened and a few people who could not travel onward toward the Holy Land because of the ongoing fights live there. When Hans approaches the monastery steps a group of Italian pilgrims walks in the other direction, chatting loudly. At the head of the group is a priest in his fifties with grey hair shorn in a tonsure wearing a Benedictine monk's habit. When he spots the young German, he immediately waddles toward him, takes him in a tight embrace and kisses him on both cheeks, as is Italian habit among old friends. "Hans Dietrich, che bello vederti!", the chubby monk Hans knows as Pater Pio Gulgiamo exclaims with excitement how good it is to see the Captain. With typically Italian eloquence, speaking at twice the speed the German officer would feel comfortable with and performing wild gestures with the arms as well, the priest sends the group of pilgrims on its way, before turning back to the young Captain. "Il cielo ti manda. Grazie a te, Signore!", he tells Dietrich who is totally taken aback at the greeting that even surpasses Marcello and his melodrama that he thanks the Lord, as heaven itself must have sent him. "Ho bisogno del tuo aiuto", the priest continues enthusiastically, before the German Captain can even interrupt him that he requires his help. "Per che cosa hai bisogno di aiuto?", the young officer inquires warily what the priest needs his help for. "Ho bisogno di qualcuno che guidi un camion fino a un piccolo villaggio. Si trova a poche ore dalla città di Tobruk", the priest replies that he needs somebody to drive a truck to a small village, a few hours away from Tobruk.
Dietrich sighs wearily and asks himself why any divine entity would hate him so much to put such a decision about the greater good always to him. "Sono un soldato e ho i miei doveri. Non posso sparire per qualche ora o per un giorno", he argues that he is a soldier and has his duties which include that he cannot just leave for a few hours or a day. "Sei un ufficiale. Puoi assegnare uno dei tuoi soldati", the priest argues that he is an officer and could order one of his soldiers. "Non voglio rubare il suo Natale. Preferirei guidare da solo", the German Captain counters that he would not want to steal the soldiers' Christmas and rather prefer to drive himself. "Sapevo che si poteva contare su di te", Pater Pio tells him jovially that he has known all along that he could rely on the young man, as he is patting the tall officer on the back in a friendly manner. "Volevo partecipare alla Santa Messa", Dietrich uses his last possible argument that he has intended to participate in the holy service. "Verrò con te. Celebreremo la Santa Messa al nostro arrivo", the priest assures him that they will celebrate the mass after their arrival, as he will come with him. Gradually, Dietrich surrenders to his fate. Boggs would have intended to allow him the day and the next off duty. Nobody shares his Christmas tradition around here and the Rats have celebrated without him before and will continue to do so without missing anything. His best friend Jakob is a Jew and so is Ari. Thus, they celebrate Hanukkah, but not Christmas. Finally, he arrives at the conclusion that no harm would come from leaving the base for this trip to support the priest and he would do a good deed for Christmas that would make his heavy heart feel a bit lighter. Even though he would not have believed it, it pains him to not write to his family for Christmas or receive any news from them, to know that his beloved cousin, uncle and aunt are dead and his parents and sister despise him for what he has done. Yes, helping the priest definitely feels like a relief for his tormented soul. "Dammi un'ora. Ho ancora un po' di cose di cui occuparmi", he tells the priest that he still needs an hour to take care of organising his things. "Mi piacerebbe incontrarti di nuovo qui tra un'ora, figlio mio", Pater Pio tells him that he will gladly meet him here again in an hour. The Captain winces, when the priest calls him 'my son' in the classical Catholic manner. Given how much his own father hates and despises him now, it hurts to hear the expression.
The tall officer returns to his base as quickly as possible and walks directly to James Boggs' office without even bothering to change his clothes back into a uniform. The American Captain looks surprised for the second time on this very day, as he can count the times he has seen Dietrich in anything but a uniform or Arab kaftan as disguise on a single hand. The lean German with his straight posture salutes properly nonetheless and appears more military in his civilian clothes than Pettigrew ever has in a uniform. "What can I do for you, Captain Dietrich?", Boggs inquires with a puzzled expression. "Please don't tell me that on your way to the Christmas mass you have come upon another German spy network!" Dietrich smirks slightly at the thought. "Captain Boggs, you would have offered me to take me off duty for the whole day. I want to ask you to take my leave off duty for the rest of the day and tomorrow", the German Captain declares with due formality. "Would you tell me what you plan to do, Captain Dietrich?", the older American officer asks back. "Drive a truck to a monastery in a small village a few hours from Tobruk", the younger Captain replies.
"That doesn't sound like a Christmas celebration", Boggs counters a bit sternly. "Pater Pio Gugliamo from the local monastery asked me to help them out and I promised to do what I can. I wouldn't want to send any of the men to perform such a task, as they all deserve to stay and celebrate Christmas with their friends, so I'd rather go myself." The American eyes him sternly. "Don't tell me that you don't have any friends, Dietrich!" "I would actually bet a large sum that a considerable amount of officers in HQ's officers' mess will feel a lot better to not have to see a German officer at Christmas. Jakob is a Jew and doesn't celebrate this festivity, so is Ari. And the Rats will be perfectly happy with each other, as they have been for a long while. They don't require additional company", the younger Captain argues logically. Boggs sighs dramatically. "As you wish, Captain Dietrich. I'll grant your leave. Have a merry Christmas wherever you are." Dietrich salutes properly. "Thank you. I wish you a merry Christmas as well." He is about to leave, when he turns back, puts his backpack on the stool in front of Boggs' office chair and takes out a brown bottle of beer with a German label. "In addition to other Christmas traditions, it is a tradition in Germany to brew a special beer for Christmas, 'Festtagsbock', it is called and stronger than the usual lager beer. This is for you." He hands a single bottle to the American Captain who looks totally perplexed and a bit embarrassed, as he accepts his gift. "Thank you very much! You find me empty-handed though." "You're already giving me the day off to perform this mission which is important to me personally", the German replies calmly. "Thank you for that." Boggs looks at the label and realizes that this is genuinely German beer. "Do I even want to ask how you got this, Dietrich?", he inquires. The younger Captain smirks quite triumphantly. "I wouldn't recommend it for your peace of mind." "They don't call you Robin Hood for nothing", Boggs comments, but smiles nonetheless. "Robbing from the rich Jerries to give to the poor Yankees is quite a feat."
After leaving Boggs' office, Dietrich turns to Troy's room he shares with Moffit. Chances are high that he will meet at least either of the Sergeants in person to leave his gifts with proper instructions, otherwise he will have to try his luck with Jakob. After knocking on the door, the German officer hears a loud noise, followed immediately by a series of loud curses. Only a few seconds later Troy tears open the door and glares at the young Captain outside. His expression changes immediately, when he realizes that the usual proper German officer is not even wearing a uniform. "What're you doing here, Captain? And without a uniform, no less. Don't you burst into flames, or something?", he inquires with irony. "Don't be ridiculous, Sergeant", Dietrich counters dryly. "I have a task for you. To hand something to the men of our unit, as you will have to replace me, since I'm leaving until tomorrow evening."
"Where do you think you are going, Captain?", Troy inquires incredulously. "To a monastery in a small village a few hours from Tobruk", the German Captain states his answer clearly. "You wanna become a monk now?", the American Sergeant inquires with irony. "You shouldn't take the thing with your French fiance so seriously." Dietrich sighs and looks heavenward with a desperate plea to finally spare him the moronic comments, but that would definitely be too much to ask of any deity. "I am going with Pater Pio to help deliver goods for the monastery and the local hospital there, Sergeant", the young officer grinds out between gritted teeth. "Sure, Captain. What I actually meant is: where do you think you are going all alone, you Jerry idiot?", Troy specifies his inquiry with a sarcastic tone. When Dietrich looks nonplussed at the question for a few moments, Troy adds: "For such a smart guy you can be quite an idiot, Captain. We wouldn't let you go out there all alone on a normal day and especially not on Christmas Eve. That's not how this whole 'being a unit' thing works, at least not for us." The German still appears baffled, but then his expression turns into an actual smile, as he asks with irony: "What are you waiting for, Sergeant?"
"You inform the men, Sergeant, and prepare two Jeeps plus equipment! I will inform Jakob and Ari about our plans", the young Captain orders and Troy rushes off to take care of everything, while Dietrich stalks off in the direction of Jakob's room. "Hans!", Ari shouts, when he sees his caregiver enter the room and runs to hug him around the waist. "Hello, Ari, Jakob. I need to tell you something", Dietrich addresses both. Jakob sits up on his bed where he has been reading and looks at his friend with a worried expression, as he knows him long and well enough to be able to tell when something bugs him. "I will leave with the Rats to accompany Pater Pio from the local monastery driving a truck to a small monastery in a village to help the people there", Hans declares sternly. "I want to help people too. Can we come with you?", Ari inquires. "It's not dangerous, when there is a Christmas truce?", Jakob asks cautiously. "I hope not, but you never know. That's why the Rats accompany us with two Jeeps. So no harm comes to us, even if somebody ignores the truce and attacks a civilian truck." "So we could come along", Jakob supports Ari's idea. "Jakob", Hans exclaims with an incredulous tone how his backstabbing friend can turn against him like this. "Yeah!", Ari cheers and hugs Hans again, although he has not even agreed to this.
"But we leave Fritz and Bastet here. He's embarrassing, when he starts begging food from total strangers who barely have enough for themselves and she can be annoying as well and is still a tiny kitten", Dietrich declares, knowing that he has already lost the fight to take Jakob and Ari along. "You are aware that we go to a Christian monastery and will celebrate Christmas with them", he reminds them, trying to give Jakob a chance to back out of this stupidity without loss of face. But the Jewish Lieutenant merely smiles fondly. "I still remember when we visited Tante Gerti and Onkel Heinz for Christmas. She made the best Christmas cookies. And the tree was always beautiful to look at." "Don't expect to make cookies! You know I'm pretty good with cooking, but baking sweet stuff is simply not my thing. I've never learned it, because my mother, the noble baronet, would not touch an oven herself." "I remember", Jakob adds with a groan. "But your aunt was brilliant. Her pies were wonderful as well." "Stop telling stories about Tante Gerti's baking skills. You make me feel hungry", Hans Dietrich complains. "Nobody would complain, if you would get some more to eat for once, Hans", Jakob comments with a smile. "But we should pack instead of just chat. Come on, Ari. Hurry!" Enthused by the idea to go travelling with Hans for once, Ari packs his things in record time under the strict gaze of his brother, while Jakob takes a bit longer. "Have you packed as usual, so that your clothes look as if chewed through by a cow?", Hans comments dryly. They both know and understand the reference to the German proverb 'als ob die Kuh es im Maul gehabt hätte' and Jakob glares at his insolent friend. "You don't have to play the role of my mother, Hans!" The German officer smirks however. "But it's actually fun." "Mama will be so happy to have you back", Jack growls slightly annoyed. "You could just behave like me", the young Captain offers with irony in his tone. His friend sticks out his tongue. "That's so boring."
Two minutes later they join the Rats in a courtyard of the colonial building compley, serving as the headquarter for James Boggs' unit. Hitch waves at them. "Hey, Cap. Where's our adventure going?", he asks curiously. "I will learn the details when mee Pater Pio again at the monastery", Dietrich replies calmly. Hitch appears almost as enthused as Ari and Jakob. "A Christmas Adventure. This will be great!" "Hitchcock, calm down!", Dietrich admonishes. "I'm merely driving a truck for a few hours through the outskirts and surrounding lands of Tobruk, until we reach our destination. You're coming along as our escort, but we don't expect anything to happen. We have a Christmas truce after all." "Yeah, but still we'll be on a mission together as a unit", Hitch tells him enthusiastically. Dietrich steps closer and sniffs his breath. "Have you been drinking, Private? If the answer is yes, I'm not going to let you drive." "No, honestly, Cap", Mark defends himself. "I really just think it'll be a nice adventure. I hate it when we sit around in the boring sitting with nothing good to do." "Hitchcock, you're from New York. How can you be bored by being in a city?", Dietrich asks incredulously. "Well, compared to the Big Apple, anything's just boring. And here's no action at all in the city. We only get arrested for drunken rows and such nonsense", Hitch argues. "Don't remind me!", the German officer growls. "Let's go and drive to the monastery! Ari, you sit with me! Jakob, you sit in the back with Moffit!"
They all follow his instructions and two minutes later the two Jeeps drive out of the courtyard. As they drive up in front of the monastery, Dietrich shouts to all of them: "This is your chance to get out of this, gentlemen." Troy looks at the Italian priest and the rather old truck. "This is a lot more fun than our usual holiday routine, going to some bar and drinking one beer after the other. So, let's shake it!" Dietrich gets out of the Jeep with Ari and his own backpack on the back, as Jakob jumps down from the back of Moffit's Jeep with his satchel with clothes. "Ciao, Pater Pio!", Hans greets the monk who is already waddling down the stairs to greet him. "Chi sono tutte queste persone?", the priest asks who all the people are, while Dietrich replies that these are the men of his unit and his friend and ward. Seeing the boy, the Italian gets enthusiastic, as all Italians get around children. "Il bambino. Che bello!" Tousling Ari's hair, he smiles at the boy in a friendly manner that makes the child smile back likewise, although he feels a bit overwhelmed. "Per favore, dammi la chiave di accensione", Hans interrupts him asking for the truck key, when Ari presses against the lean Captain tightly. Then the tall officer suggests that the priest take the Jeep, as Moffit speaks Latin. "Suggerisco loro di andarci con la jeep. Sergente Moffit parla latino." Pater Pio looks delighted at the prospect of having an educated person he can chat with in Latin, as he walks over to Tully and Moffit and Dietrich breathes a sigh of relief to have diverted the chatty priest to a worthy target for his conversations.
"Jakob, Ari, you come with me!", the German orders the two and Ari looks at the large truck with true excitement. "Can I sit in the front? I want to see outside", he pleads. "Jakob will have to hold you, as it is too dangerous otherwise", his caregiver instructs them sternly. "Okay", the boy agrees immediately and looks up at his two adopted brothers with expectation in his eyes. "This will be like a family trip", Jakob tells Ari with a mischievous wink. "Jakob", Hans groans at his friend's immature behaviour. "Just telling the truth, Hans", Jakob replies with mock innocence, enjoying teasing his friend a little. Troy walks up to them now. "Should we go before and behind the truck or rather to its left and right, Captain?", the Sergeant inquires. Dietrich gives the question some thought, then replies: "As we have a truce, no enemy troops should attack us from the side, but mines might still be a problem. I'd prefer, if one of you would drive ahead of us." The American Sergeant smiles. "Don't worry. We'll take care of that." "Let Pettigrew and Moffit drive ahead. They have Pater Pio with them who knows which directions to take." Troy nods, then turns around to shout the orders to the drivers, before adding: "Let's shake it!" The German Captain gets into the truck's driver's seat in the meantime and Jakob climbs in on the other side to sit on the passenger seat with the boy between them.
Tully Pettigrew heads along the main road out of Tobruk to the South with the German in the truck following close behind and Hitch with Gotty and Troy playing the role of the rear guard. After two hours of driving, the German notices something off with the brakes. Honking to draw Pettigrew's attention, as Hitchcock would notice anyways, if they stop, the Captain tries to brake but finds the vehicle barely reacting and reducing its speed. "Gottverfluchter Scheißdreck!", he curses loudly and Jakob stares at him in shock, as he knows his friend hardly ever loses his countenance except for the most dire situations or when he sits behind a steering wheel which seems to negatively influence his usual self-restraint. "What's happening, Hans?", he asks trying not to sound too frantic to not scare Ari. "The brakes are not working properly", the young officer growls. "What can we do?", Jakob inquires cluelessly. "Try to reduce the speed and stop the truck somehow without crashing it", the German Captain replies, regaining his usual cool demeanour, as he keeps stepping on the brake which works, but far too little to reduce speed quickly.
"What's Dietrich doing?", Troy growls, as he observes the truck's strange braking maneuver from behind. "Dunno, Sarge", Hitch replies, as he brakes as well to get a bit more distance between them and the truck. "You think Cap got poisoned or something?", he starts to develop theories. "He was snooping around the bazaar again in the morning", Troy considers the option. "They might have given him something strange there. He's always into trying something new, if you offer it to him. Curiosity's gonna kill this cat." Hitch grins. "And I thought that's what we have Bastet for." "Stop being funny, Hitch!", the Sergeant growls with annoyance. Dietrich's and Moffit's agreement to name the adopted kitten after an Egyptian deity has added insult to injury for him. At least Horus, the damned falcon, is history by now and somewhere far away with the crazy British Professor. Good riddance is all Troy can say about both of them.
The truck has finally come to a halt almost five minutes later and Hitch drives next to the driver's cabin from which Dietrich is climbing down far too swiftly to be affected by any kind of poison. "What's going on, Captain?", Troy shouts, as they come to a halt. "The brakes aren't working properly", the German replies with a scowl and picks up some tools from underneath the driver's seat, before opening the bonnet to check the brake fluid. Tully is stopping before him now and walking up to him, asking: "What's wrong, Cap?" "I'm trying to find out why the brakes aren't working", the Captain replies. Tully nods and walks up to the front tire to start checking the wheel. "Merda", the Italian priest curses, as he sees them working on the truck. "Ho detto a Franco di controllare i freni." Dietrich looks up from the bonnet and glares at him, when he hears him say that he has told France to check on the brakes. "Avresti potuto dirci che prima c'era un problema con i freni", the young officer snaps that he could have told them that there has been a problem with the brakes before. Without waiting for an answer from the chatty Italian, he shouts to Pettigrew: "You can stop searching, Private. The brake fluid is almost empty."
Tully turns back to him immediately. "We'd better fill in something else, Cap." Dietrich raises his eyebrows in a rather sarcastic expression, as the usually quiet Private is stating the obvious in this case. "The thing to use as a substitute coming to my mind would be alcohol", the German officer comments dryly. "But as I'm not in your league of being a chronic alcoholic, I definitely don't have large enough amounts with me to use as a temporary replacement of the actual brake fluid." Tully sighs in a manner of true suffering, as he answers: "I got some. But it should've been part of our Christmas gift." The Captain nods in understanding and sounds actually apologetic, as he continues: "I'm truly sorry, Pettigrew, but unless we use this for solving this emergency now, there will be no Christmas celebration for any of us." The American Private sighs deeply again and then turns around to walk back to their Jeep and rummages through a chest in the back.
The German officer meanwhile rolls up the sleeves of his only civilian shirt which he does not want to get torn or completely dirty during the operation that will follow. "You look like you got the tech stuff under control again", Troy comments as he steps toward Dietrich. "Any way we can help, Captain?" "Changing the brake fluid requires two people. Pettigrew and I know what we're doing, so keeping an eye on our surroundings to avoid any ... unwelcome surprises would be the best help for now, Troy", the younger man replies. "Hey, Ari. You wanna ride the Jeep with me and Sarge?", Hitch asks the boy who crows with delight. "Have you been drinking already, Hitchcock? What are you doing?", the German officer snaps at the Private, sounding slightly incredulous. "We're just staying in the vicinity. It's safe, Cap", Hitch replies unperturbed. "Hold the boy tightly and make sure no harm comes to him!", Hans mutters to Troy with actual worry audible in his tone, while Ari already runs to Hitch to climb into the Jeep. "Don't worry, Captain. I'll watch him, as if he was my own kid", the American Sergeant promises, patting the younger officer on the shoulder who still looks rather unhappy with how this situation is developing. Still he mutters "Thanks, Troy", before taking one of the bottles from Tully Pettigrew who has returned from his looting of the Jeep supply chest.
"Just how many bottles of your possibly illegal booze do you carry around in that Jeep on a regular basis?", Dietrich asks Tully sarcastically, as he sniffs on the bottle and grimaces at the smell. "Normally just one or two for emergencies, Cap. Got a few more for the special occasion today", the Kentuckian Private replies coolly. The German officer refrains from asking what kind of emergencies would warrant transporting one to two bottles of alcohol with him in addition to the one in their First Aid Kit. Instead he orders: "We need to wash out the old brake fluid. We'd better use gasoline for that. Get me one of the syringes from the med kit for the procedure!" Pettigrew nods and shifts the matchstick in the corner of his mouth, as he walks off to perform the task. Hitchcock, Troy, Gottschlich and Ari meanwhile drive off with the Jeep into the desert, while Jack Moffit keeps the priest happy by talking with him about some philosophical topic, as both have accepted that the technical emergency is competently taken care of.
A short while later, Dietrich and Pettigrew have managed to drain the old brake fluid from the reservoir, the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders with the help of the syringe from their First Aid Kit. Next, they flush the system with alcohol to remove any traces of the old fluid. "We'd better not use this for medical emergencies anymore, unless you wish to add some fuel to your blood", the German comments dryly and Tully grins, as he tells him: "My Pa used to say I got fuel in my blood." Raising his eyebrows in a bemused expression, the Captain starts to use the med kit's spray bottle to pour alcohol into the reservoir and pump the brake pedal until clear alcohol comes out of the bleeder valves on each wheel. Finally, they fill the reservoir with alcohol and bleed the air from the system, as Pettigrew is opening and closing the bleeder valves while Dietrich is pumping the brake pedal. "I think it should work now, Cap!", Tully finally shouts, when they finish with the last wheel. "Excellent. Thank you, Private. Your ... alcohol affinity has saved us", the tall officer comments somewhat dryly. "This temporary solution should work for our way there and back again."
When they see the Captain wave with his arm, signalling them to stop and return, Hitch drives back to where Dietrich is standing. Ari, who has been sitting on Troy's lap in the passenger seat the whole time, is constantly crowing with delight, enjoying the speed of the ride and its wild curves. "This was fun. Can we do it again with Hans?", he asks, applying his best imitation of Fritz' puppy eyes gaze. "We have to continue toward our destination to arrive before nightfall, as we have already lost too much time", his caregiver admonishes sternly. "Please get into the truck with Jakob, Ari." Looking quite disappointed, the boy trots behind the German Captain who walks back to the truck's driver cabin. Only a minute later, they drive off with Tully leading the way again and the truck and second Jeep following behind his lead.
When they finally arrive in the small village, it is starting to get dark and they are all relieved to have made it in time to not be on the road at night which is always dangerous in wartime. Pater Pio directs them through a maze of small streets none of which are actually paved, until they stop in front of a large house that hardly looks like a monastery or hospital. "Questo è il nostro ospedale e orfanotrofio", the Italian priest tells them that this is their hospital and orphanage which Dietrich understands clearly and Moffit mainly deduces through his knowledge of Latin and French, while the others remain clueless until the young officer translates for them. "Dovremmo portare qui le provviste", Pio shows the Captain where to carry the supplies by pointing at a small backdoor. "Help unloading the supplies and carry them in there!", the tall German orders the Rats, while following the priest to learn the way and location of the storage on the inside of the building in order to instruct his men afterwards.
While Pater Pio leads Dietrich further into the monastery to introduce him to the people there, the others help unload the truck, while Jakob stays outside, unsure how the Christians will react to a Jewish guest. Maybe he has been a bit rash with his decision to just accompany Hans. Ari is completely unperturbed by any worries and starts to pet a cat that has curiously approached him. "She looks like Bastet, but bigger", he tells his brother Jakob who smiles at the boy's carefree attitude. What would he not give to feel like that again. "It's pretty amazing to be an officer. Cap gets invited to chat, while we do the hard work", Hitch complains to Tully who merely shrugs. "Stop complaining, Hitch! You wanna be in all these meetings with the rest of the brass half of the time", Troy admonishes him. "But Sarge...", Hitch whines, before Moffit overrules him. "Troy is right, Hitchcock. Dietrich's not the kind of guy to leave all the work for us and just enjoy the good life. He repaired that truck himself together with Tully." The Kentuckian nods. "That's true. And he's good at it. Knows what he's doin' and has experience doin' it." Hitch chews on his chewing gum thoughtful and finally relents. "Okay. Cap's still a good guy. That doesn't mean it's not amazing to be an officer though, getting these invitations, the good food in the officers' mess and the pretty girls sure like their uniform more than ours." Grinning, Troy replies: "Don't let Dietrich hear you!" "What am I not supposed to hear?", the German Captain inquires sternly, as he steps toward them, before adding sarcastically: "If you would spend more time working and less time chatting, you would be finished already." "But that wouldn't be fun", Hitch counters. "I'm sure Troy can tell you a lot how much fun it is to rummage through supply boxes for hours, can't you, Sergeant?", the lean officer comments with irony. Subconsciously, Troy rubs his head and has to think of narrow shelves and ammunition crates, as he glares at the tall young man and growls: "Shut it, Captain. We're doing honest hard work here. Nothing to ridicule a man for." "I'm not ridiculing you for doing your work here", Dietrich counters this time without irony or sarcasm in his tone. "I merely came to retrieve you for our dinner invitation, as soon as you are finished with your work here."
Then, he turns toward Jakob and Ari and addresses his friend in a quiet tone to not be overheard by the others: "I told Pater Pio about your ... special situation. He said that they welcome anybody who acts peacefully and respects their faith and traditions." The Jewish Lieutenant breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Hans", he tells his friend honestly and pats him on the shoulder in an affectionate manner. "I actually started to worry." The German Captain smiles wryly, as he replies: "I already started worrying as soon as you came up with this hairbrained idea of joining me. But I was well aware that you wouldn't start thinking about it until our arrival." Jakob grins. "You know me too well, Hans. What would I do without a friend like you?" "What would you do indeed?", his friend asks with a mischievous expression. Ari has stood up after his cat friend has decided to retreat at the tall man's approach and pulls on Dietrich's jacket sleeve now to catch his attention, before he asks curiously: "Where do we go now, Hans? Will we get dinner?" His caregiver smiles gently. "Yes, we will get dinner, as soon as the pack is ready with its work."
"Work faster!", Ari shouts. "I'm hungry." Even Moffit and Tully have to grin at the boy's words, while Troy actually barks a laugh and Hitch and Gotty smile widely. "They already work fast", Hans tells the boy to calm him down a bit. "You can come with me inside in the meantime. This is a Christian place though. So respect what people say, even if you don't always understand it." "What do we do here?", the boy wants to know. "We helped them, so that they can help other people, such as children who have lost their parents just like you have or sick and injured people who cannot go to a doctor." Ari listens intently, before commenting: "That's nice. I like to help them." "We already have by bringing their supplies here. Now they invite us for dinner. Also, it is a special day for us Christians. We celebrate Christmas, an important festivity. It's like Hanukkah for us", the German explains cautiously. "That's great. I like Hanukkah!", Ari comments with a smile. "You tell the people from here 'Buon Natale' and Hitchcock and the others 'Merry Christmas'", Dietrich instructs him and the boy carefully repeats the foreign words. "'Felicem Nativitatem' will also work for the locals independent of their nationality", Jack Moffit comments, as he steps toward them. "We're finished with unloading, Captain." "Excellent. Thank you, Moffit. 'Felicem Nativitatem' is the Latin expression I assume", the German replies. "Indeed, Captain. A valuable additional information for an educated man such as you." Dietrich assesses him for a few seconds with narrowed eyes, as he tries to evaluate whether the Brit dares to mock him, but finally concludes that this is simply Moffit's manner of behaving like a snobbish scholar from time to time.
The German walks to the truck to retrieve his backpack, before leading their way inside and through the hallways of the monastery, hospital and orphanage as which the building serves simultaneously. Pater Pio is chatting with several other monks, but turns around toward them, as soon as they enter their mess hall which is basically a large room next to the kitchen with a single dining table which has enough space for more than twenty people. With only eight monks around, including the Italian priest who has arrived with them, the table easily provides enough space to house all of them at once. Hans Dietrich steps forward followed by Jack Moffit who prepares to act as the Captain's Latin interpreter should the need arise, since the language serves as common language for the whole Catholic church independent of nationality. The German officer introduces himself first and then all of them one by one, ending with Jakob and Ari. "E il bravo bambino il tuo figlio?", Pater Pio inquires of Jakob who stares at him uncomprehendingly, while his friend starts laughing. "He just asked whether Ari is your son, Jakob?", Hans translates with a grin, while Silberblatt blushes and repeats several times: "No, no!" "Il ragazzo è un orfano di cui ci prendiamo cura", the Captain tells the monks who smile at the answer. "What did you tell him, Hans?", Jakob wants to know. "That the boy is an orphan we take care of", Dietrich replies. "This is the truth after all."
"Accomodatevi", Pater Pio says and points at the seats which they can understand as an invitation to sit down even before the German officer provides the translation. Once they have taken a seat, a young monk walks around to fill each of their glasses with wine. When he arrives at Jakob who sits next to his friend Hans to have an interpreter with only Ari in between them, the young monk hesitates and asks: "Bevi vino?" "He asks if you drink wine", the German whispers the translation. Jakob nods and replies with what little Italian he knows: "Si." The young Captain raises his eyebrows in an ironic manner. "Don't forget that your alcohol tolerance is literally nonexistent!", he admonishes his friend. "I got to practice a little in the American officers' mess", Silberblatt counters stubbornly. Looking doubtful, Dietrich turns back to the monks who speak a prayer now before their meal. Although he does not understand the Latin litany, he folds his hands and tries to look pious to not offend their hosts. Once the prayer is finished the young monk from before and an older, more chubby looking bald monk carry two pots in and put them onto the table. Then they start to ladle soup with dumplings onto soup dishes and hand them to their guests first, starting the Captain as the highest ranking one. "Cos'è questo piatto?", the German officer inquires curiously. "Brodo Tortellini, fatti da mano. I tortellini sono con formaggio e carne di maiale." "This is soup with handmade tortellini, Italian dumplings filled with cheese and pork", he translates and looks at his friend in a questioning manner. "We've eaten pork before", Jakob answers. "I'm not that orthodox and it smells too delicious to turn down." Shrugging, Hans accepts his friend's decision and answers the concerned monk's question whether to give their Jewish guests any soup in a positive manner.
"Why are they so considerate, although we're Jews?", Jakob asks his friend with a whisper, while enjoying his soup. "Pater Pio and I have known each other for a while. He likes me and trusts me, obviously. So when I told him that you're my friend and a Jew and that I no longer am on the Axis' side, he told me that he and his brothers have hidden Jews who would have been arrested and sent to concentration camps for a while, as long as the Axis has held Tobruk. So they know and respect them and hold no grudge or hatred", Hans replies cautiously. "You really have interesting friends, Captain", Troy who has listened in on their conversation comments. "The priest is not my friend, Troy", the German protests. "Not like we're friends, but as you said he likes you... and he really likes Moffit. My ears feel like falling off just from watching those two chat nonstop", the American Sergeant replies with a grin. Gazing in the direction of the Brit, the Captain smiles as well, as Troy's description of their conversation with mouth and arms feels rather accurate. "And they're only chatting in Latin. Pio would speak at twice the speed, if he would be talking in Italian", Dietrich comments dryly. "Wow", Hitch comments, as he looks over at the Italian priest and the British scholar as well.
After the first course, the primo piatto, the main course follows which consists of eggplant fried with tomatoes, olives, capers, onions, and celery. "Caponata Siciliana", the cook explains to the Captain who is not used to Italian food actually being delicious after suffering through barely edible tinned meat and pasta for almost two years. Enthused at the German's interest in their dishes, he gladly shares the recipe and tips on how to best prepare the dish and what little tricks make it extra delicious. "What did he tell you?", Troy inquires of the slightly stunned looking young officer, when the cook finally leaves him in peace after three minutes of talking without a pause. "I just received a crash course for Italian cuisine", the lean German replies quietly. "Brilliant. Then, we'll let you cook from now on", Troy comments with a grin. "Troy", Dietrich growls in slight annoyance, before adding with slight sarcasm: "I've suffered enough from Italian meals to cause me a lasting trauma. You do remember this abomination of noodle in sauce with indiscernible meat." "But we're talking about really cooking here", Jakob intercedes. "And you're a really good cook, if you put your mind into it." "Jakob, you backstabbing traitor", Hans snaps at him, while Troy shares a grin with Hitch.
"We'll judge that after the first meal you cook", he tells the German officer. "If it's horrible I have to cook never again?", the Captain inquires with a sly tone and his typical expression when preparing a trap. "I'm not falling for that, Captain. You're gonna promise me that you'll make an actual effort!", the American Sergeant counters. "I see no reason why I should cook for you at all. I'm an officer and you're all enlisted men under my command", the younger man sidesteps the trap through a counterargument. "You could do something for us once in a while", Troy argues. "I'm constantly taking care of you bunch of annoying jerboas! Herding cats feels like a walk in the park compared to being responsible for you and the rest of the merry men. Cooking a meal is absolutely simple in comparison", Dietrich argues, sounding slightly unnerved. "Well, then you can just do it, can't you?", Troy counters. "Will you stop pestering me, if I agree to do this... for example on a special occasion?", the German Captain relents, annoyed by the unnecessary quarrel. "See? I knew you could be quite a reasonable guy after all. And if you're looking for a special occasion, my birthday's on February 25th", Troy replies with a grin, content to have won this struggle. Sighing wearily and in resignation, the German nods. "Fine. But leave me in peace until then!" "You won't regret asking him to cook, Sergeant", Jakob adds now and receives a glare from his German friend as well as a smile from the American.
Finally, the cook and his assistant bring a long breadlike looking object on a tray. "Sei un tedesco. Questo dolce è dalla tua patria, Christstollen. Ho imparato la ricetta da un austriaco", the bald monk tells the young officer. Dietrich eyes the dessert with curiosity. Baking Christtagsstollen is a tradition in Germany and Austria and his uncle has insisted on this being served when they would come to visit during the Christmas holidays. "What did he say?", Troy wants to know. "That this is a traditional Christmas dessert from my homeland called Christstollen or Christtagsstollen and that he learned the recipe from an Austrian", the German Captain replies. "Sounds pretty Christmas-y to me", Troy comments with a smile. The young officer actually smiles though with some sad reminiscence in his gaze. "It is. My aunt Gertrude used to bake it for meals on the Christmas days." His expression alone tells Troy that this is the aunt who has been sent to the concentration camp and he squeezes the lean young man's shoulder in a reassuring manner. "I can imagine things are tough for you, but you made the right decision, Captain, and we're glad to have you here with us. And you earned us all a brilliant meal." Without meeting his gaze the German nods quietly, before replying with some irony in his tone: "At least you're not complaining about Italian cuisine like my German soldiers have for two years." Then they all dig in to enjoy their dessert.
Ari is absolutely excited about the Christstollen, filled with dates and figs in addition to the traditional raisins and arancini. "Don't let him have too much sugar or he will never go to bed!", Moffit admonishes with a groan, still remembering their first night with the Jewish orphan rather vividly. At least the dog is not around to annoy him. "We can't go to bed anyways, as they asked us to attend Christmette with them, the traditional mass at midnight of the 24th", Dietrich replies. "Since when are we so pious?", Troy inquires with a grin. "Since we spend the night of Christmas Eve in a monastery, Troy. Everybody in this building will be attending the mass with only the sick and most gravely injured not participating", the Captain counters. "We cannot offend our hosts by not participating. Or do you have better things to do?" "Actually, no. What do we do until midnight?", Troy answers. "In Germany, presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve, then we would share a Christmas dinner and sing songs until going to mass at midnight", the German replies. "That sounds pretty nice. You got any presents to give?", Troy asks back. "Now that you mention it, actually yes", the German manages to surprise him with his answer. Hitch looks excited now and even Tully bears a look of curiosity. "Okay. You really managed to catch me off guard with that", Troy admits. The German Captain smiles actually at that statement. "That almost feels like a Christmas present, Troy." "You're still a Jerry smartass, Dietrich!", the Sergeant counters, but grins himself.
Bending down, to retrieve his backpack which he has placed under the table, Hans Dietrich takes out the first of the bottles and starts the explanation: "One of the German Christmas traditions is to brew a special strong beer to drink at the Christmas festivities, Bockbier or Festtagsbock." Jack Moffit nods in recognition of the term. "I've heard of that. The Bavarians loved that, but I was too young to try it, while I lived in Munich." "You're not too young now, Moffit", the German comments sarcastically, before handing him the first bottle, adding: "Merry Christmas! Frohe Weihnachten!" Then, he continues with giving Troy the next bottle, while the Brit is reading the German label curiously. "This is a genuine German beer. How did you get this?", he inquires slightly incredulously after Hitch, Tully and Gotty have received their gifts as well. "This is a question you'd better not ask, Sergeant. But I'm willing to introduce you to the place, as you might appreciate its other wares and oddities." Jack's eyes light up, as he answers with a genuine smile: "I'd really love to do that." "You got a secret source for booze I don't know about", Tully wonders. "Unlike you I don't steal from officers, Private", Dietrich counters dryly.
As Jakob and Ari observe them curiously, Hans adds: "You could need the training. Promise me you won't drink it all at once, Jakob, as you cannot even survive a glass of wine." "That's not true, Hans", the Jewish Lieutenant counters, sounding slightly tipsy. "We don't want to put this to the test today, Jakob", his friend admonishes, as he hands him another bottle. "And the last thing is for you, Ari", he adds and hands the boy a small wooden object. The boy looks at it with a puzzled expression. "What's this, Hans?" "Let me show you", the German tells him with a smile and takes the object back, spinning it between his fingers to make it rotate on the tabletop. Ari stares at the moving object with fascination. "Wow", he repeats the word he has often heard from Mark Hitchcock. When the top stops spinning, Ari asks his brother: "How do you make it dance?" "You have to move it very quickly between your fingers to make it spin, like this", Hans shows him carefully. The boy watches in amazement and tries it himself afterwards, struggling a bit at first, but finally managing to make it dance over the table.
While the boy is occupied with his new toy, Troy suggests: "Since it's a Christmas tradition to drink this and we all have to stay awake, because you're friends with an Italian priest, I suggest we open that beer, drink it together, toasting to a merry Christmas, and start singing!" "The altar wine seems to enlighten you, Troy. That is a surprisingly reasonable suggestion", Dietrich comments dryly. "Let's do it then!", Hitch insists enthusiastically. Without any protests against the suggestion, they open their beers. "To a merry Christmas. May it stay as peaceful as today", Jack Moffit offers as a toast and all of them drink to that. "To friendships, old and new", Troy provides as a toast, looking at each of them, but longer at Jack and Dietrich who has exchanged a glance with his friend Jakob, before meeting Troy's gaze. "To changed and changing ways", the German Captain offers and this time Troy actually pats his on the shoulder. "Have I said already that it's good to have you here with us, Captain?" "You're getting drunk, Troy, if your memory doesn't even last for an hour", the young officer replies dryly. "Couldn't you just say 'yes' like a normal person?", Troy growls with some irony. "Since when do we do anything like normal persons, Troy?", Dietrich counters. This causes all of them to laugh loudly, Troy most of all. Ari simply enjoys laughing along. This Christmas is a wonderful festivity for him with good food, presents and everyone being friendly and laughing.
"Okay. I'm drunk enough. We can start singing now", Troy declares after having emptied more than half of his bottle. The German Captain shakes his head slightly, inquiring with irony: "How are these two related?" The American Sergeant counters:"Stop asking stupid questions, Captain! You're actually good at singing. I heard you at that funeral, singing all alone until the rest of the Jerries joined you. I'm simply not good at singing. Let's keep it at that. So you got any good German Christmas carols?" "Many", the young officer replies with a smirk. "Well. Then start singing!", Troy suggests. "Christmas carols are meant to be sung together, not solo", Dietrich argues. "We could sing 'Stille Nacht'. We know that one as 'Silent Night'." "I don't know the English text", the German admits. "But you know the German one and so do I. The others can sing the English version. This makes it more interesting." Although he looks a bit skeptical at first, the Captain finally agrees.
"Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
nur das traute, hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,
schlaf in himmlischer Ruh."
Although the Rats have started singing along, they stop doing so at some point to listen to the German instead who now sings with true conviction in his native tongue without either noticing or caring that he is singing along, as he has closed his eyes.
"Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Hirten erst kundgemacht,
durch der Engel Halleluja
tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter, ist da,
Christ, der Retter, ist da!"
"Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
da uns schlägt die rettende Stund,
Christ, in deiner Geburt,
Christ, in deiner Geburt."
Hitch is the first one who starts clapping after the final verse has ended, startling Dietrich who opens his eyes to look somewhat surprised. Ari looks actually amazed and asks: "Can you sing it again, Hans? It's the most beautiful song I've ever heard." "We will sing some other songs as well and then return to this one", his brother promises him. Now that the dam is broken, finding carols to sing is not a challenge anymore, neither is the motivation to participate in singing. Hans Dietrich learns the texts for several English Christmas Carols, while the Rats have two learn at least the first verse of "Stille Nacht" in its original version, as Moffit insists that this will be an excellent language lesson for them.
Hours later, the Italian priest Pater Pio enters the dining room again and smiles at them all. "Buon Natale, mi amici!" Then, he starts talking to Dietrich rapidly. The German's face is falling slightly, as he tries to counter, but has his opposition simply washed away by the Italian's constant flow of words. Finally, he sighs and nods. "I believe our dear Captain just got himself hired as a singer", Jack comments with a smile that the others share. "Okay. I gotta see this. Where's this mass happening?", Troy asks, as he grins widely. "Best Christmas since the start of the war!", Hitch comments with a grin, while they all follow their commanding officer outside and into the adjacent church building. This night is proving to be anything but silent, promising a merry Christmas nonetheless.