Their ride takes them through the desert for three hours, before Captain Dietrich gives the signal to halt and checks their position again based on the time, the sun and the maps he has memorized diligently. "Has anything happened, Captain?", Jack Moffit shouts from the first truck behind his Kübelwagen. "We should stop and finalize our preparation, as I expect that we will reach the caravanserai within the next hour", the German officer replies with a shout that can be heard by the men on both trucks. Tully next to him shifts his matchstick in his mouth, while both Corporals bear worried expressions and the Sergeants next to them in the trucks look grim, before all of them exit their driver's cabins. The Australians on the truck beds start handling the cargo crates which will serve as their hiding places, for which Pettigrew, Troy and the two Corporals join them to assist with getting into the supply transportation boxes, then putting in a false bottom and finally filling the crates up with sacks of dates and wheat, before closing them from the outside. "Looting all these German bases and their food storage has paid off", the American Sergeant grumbles contentedly to Tully who quietly nods in agreement, as he chews on his matchstick.

"We still need to work on your moustache for hiding your face, Captain", Jack Moffit meanwhile addresses the young German officer who tenses visibly at the words. "This is something I cannot do myself", Hans Dietrich admits grudgingly. "Not only can I not use my right arm properly, but also don't we have a mirror for checking the result." The British Sergeant inclines his head, as he offers in a gracious manner not intended to sound condescending: "I can apply this disguise onto your face, if this is acceptable for you, Captain." The proud young man looks like he has to struggle hard to agree to something like that, but finally nods, bearing a fatalistic expression. "After all that has happened in the last few weeks, this is by far not the worst", the former Wehrmacht Hauptmann mutters dryly, deciding that being unnecessarily difficult only to sabotage his own mission would be absurd. Moffit smiles wryly, aware of the irony of fate that forces the German Captain to sneak into German bases under disguise and pretending a false identity. "I don't envy your position, Captain, for several reasons. But you're mastering this challenge admirably", the Brit comments, as he retrieves the kit from the glove compartment of the truck and places it on the Kübelwagen's bonnet. "Relax, Captain! We're surely doing no harm to you", Troy, stepping toward them, tells his German friend who scowls immediately at him. "Lean back against the bonnet and close your eyes, Captain!", Jack Moffit instructs more calmly to which the younger officer reacts with quiet compliance after a second of tense hesitation.

A lot has changed that the wary and tortured Captain trusts them blindly, closing his eyes voluntarily, while he even allows Jack to touch his face for applying the black fake moustache in a natural manner, the former Cambridge scholar reflects, as he works on adding some makeup on the skin of the younger man's cheeks to hide the worst of his bruises. The German winces a few times when this treatment causes him actual pain, but otherwise remains quiet and compliant. A few minutes later, even Troy is impressed by the result. "I could hardly recognize you. One really barely sees the bruises anymore and the moustache hides the face pretty well. Why didn't we come up with stuff like that earlier?", the American Sergeant wants to know, as the young officer opens his eyes again. "We haven't had the chance to steal that professional equipment for disguising from German intelligence before", Moffit replies dryly. "We didn't steal anything, we confiscated it", Dietrich corrects him with a tone of slightly wounded pride. "Nobody would accuse you of being a thief, Captain", Moffit calmly tells the young officer, aware of his pride and dignity meaning a lot to the German Captain. The moment the tall young officer puts his Wehrmacht officer's cap on his head, Troy and Moffit feel like time has moved backwards by two months. The moustache is the main difference to how Hans Dietrich has appeared to them at this time, with his attentive stance and his neatly kept German uniform made of the stiff material which excellently hides from view how undernourished he actually is. Undoubtedly, the German Captain has been a role model Wehrmacht officer, although fate and the SS have driven him to choose a completely different way.

"All Aussies stored away", Tully Pettigrew reports coolly, followed by the two Corporals. Dietrich raises his eyebrows in irony at the flappant formulation, before nodding in acceptance. "Thank you, Private. We will continue from here on with caution, gentlemen. Don't forget that any conversations and orders within earshot of German troops should be in German and that most of you have a clearly distinguishable accent, when speaking the language! Keep all talk to a minimum and leave it mainly to Sergeant Moffit and me", the German Captain gives his orders with a stern tone. "Sure enough, Captain", Troy confirms, adding with a grin: "And we'll let our fists do the talking, when we get caught." "Sergeant Troy", Dietrich sighs wearily, pinching his nose. The American costs him too many nerves whichever side he is on.

"Don't forget that you're Odysseus and he had to deal with countless less sharp-minded individuals as well, when ending the siege of Troy through the Trojan horse trick", Jack Moffit whispers to the young officer conspiratorially. "It already feels like an Odyssey. Believe me Moffit!", Hans counters with dry irony. "But I also like the Trojan horse idea, although if I remember correctly, the Greeks had to struggle and fear for their lives, when the Trojan high priest suspected foul play." Moffit grins. How he loves to finally have an educated conversation partner. "That's absolutely correct. High Priest Laokoon suspected some kind of trick and even wanted to burn the wooden horse, but the god Poseidon himself intervened, sending a giant sea snake to kill the priest and his sons. Usually, you would have been at the top of my list of German officers who I would have expected to suspect such foul play and uncover the ruse. But since you're on our side already, there's little to worry about. None have ever had your instincts for detecting our schemes, like Odysseus, the chosen warrior of Pallas Athena, Goddess of wisdom", the former Cambridge scholar argues with his best lecture tone. While Dietrich looks baffled and thoughtful, Troy is annoyed. "Wonderful. That's more mythology than I wanted to hear in my whole lifetime. Would you stop your fancy pantsy university talk now and get in the truck, so we can get this over with!", the American Sergeant grumbles with sarcasm. "Well then, let's shake it!", the German officer adds dryly, enjoying the American's dumbstruck expression which is absolutely worth borrowing his catchphrase for once.

Dietrich's guess has been quite accurate, they all realize, as they come into view of the caravanserai another fifty minutes later. "Drive in a well-behaved manner and give your best salutes, whenever you receive an order!", Hans mutters a final instruction to Tully Pettigrew who nods, shifting his matchstick to the corner of his mouth. "And throw away this matchstick you're constantly chewing on! That's intolerable behaviour for a German soldier", the German Captain instructs sternly. "Good reason not to work for the Jerries", Tully argues, but nonetheless throws away the matchstick, as they run enough risk of being found out without provoking it unnecessarily. The lean officer smirks slightly amused by the comment, before his expression turns grim and professional again. Sitting in the open Kübelwagen has blown enough sand into his face during their ride here to mix with the makeup. That thin layer of sand should help to conceal both the disguise and the bruises underneath. From now on, Hans can merely hope that his experience as a German officer and his brief but intense and totally unwitting acting lessons with Tenente Marcello have paid off and they will now be found out due to some mishap.

As they close in on the caravanserai, Dietrich recognizes the complex, having stopped here a few times when leading his convoys through the desert. The main gate to the caravanserai complex is guarded by three soldiers. One stands at a stationary machine gun, another holds a portable MG and the third one is merely armed with a Luger as a sidearm. "Halt! Papiere vorzeigen!", the most lightly armed soldier, a Feldwebel according to his rank insignia, shouts, as he steps forward, while his comrade points a machine gun in the direction of the approaching vehicles, as he walks past Tully to keep the truck behind them under control. "Ich bin Leutnant Lars Felsenstein von der benachbarten Einheit in der Oase, Feldwebel. Hauptmann Zornbrecht hat uns mit Vorräten gesandt, um Ihrem Stützpunkt zu helfen. Leutnant Heinrich, unser Kommunikationsoffizier sollte uns angekündigt haben", Dietrich spins his tale that they bring supplies at Zornbrecht's orders to support their outpost which their radio officer Lieutenant Heinrich should have announced, as he introduces himself as Lieutenant Lars Felsenstein. The German soldier checks his Wehrpass which looks in order. "Ihr Foto fällt schon fast raus", he tells the other man with a stern tone that the photo is almost dropping out of the document. "Lassen Sie das richten!" Tensing briefly, Hans promises that he will take care of having this fixed. "Ich werde mich selbstverständlich unverzüglich darum kümmern, sobald ich zu einer passenden Behörde komme."

The German nods in acknowledgement and holds out his hand to take Tully's passport, while Dietrich continues to introduce his driver as Private Hausmann, as he creates further diversion by telling how well-secured the roads are now and that they have not run into problems: "Gefreiter Hausmann, mein Fahrer. Hauptmann Zornbrecht hat die Straßen mittlerweile abgesichert und wir haben keinerlei Probleme angetroffen." "Haben Sie unsere Konvois getroffen?", the Feldwebel inquires about meeting their convoys. The young Captain nods and replies coolly: "Das haben wir. Ihre Kameraden, Leutnant Binder und seine Männer, sind wohlbehalten in unserem Lager angekommen." To tell him that Leutnant Binder and his men have arrived unharmed in their camp is the truth after all from a certain perspective. The other men Dietrich purposefully does not mention or think about, as he meets the others gaze, trying to communicate his honesty. The German Sergeant looks actually relieved to hear the news about his comrades. "Endlich mal gute Neuigkeiten. Wir haben schon geglaubt, die lassen uns hier verdursten und verhungern", the German soldier tells the 'Leutnant' with a slightly desperate tone that they have feared they would be left to starve and die of thirst out here. Hans can tell that now the dam is broken and he has gained the man's trust, as he would not tell him about his personal fears otherwise.

"Sollen Feldwebel Becker und Fischer und die Gefreiten Schulz und Wagner sich noch ausweisen oder lassen sie uns in die Karawanserei einfahren, Feldwebel?", Dietrich inquires cautiously, whether his other men should still show their passports or they can enter the base. "Sie können passieren, Herr Leutnant. Bitte fahren Sie links zu, wo wir die Lagergebäude haben", the German soldier tells him in a more friendly tone that they may pass without further inspection and should drive to the storage buildings on the left, as he hands back Tully's passport and waves to his comrade to stand back. At Dietrich's hand signal the truck behind him starts its motor and he can hear Gottschlich starting the second truck shortly after. "Nach links, Hausmann!", he tells Tully, pointing to the left to show the Private the direction in case he has not understood the words. Pettigrew gives the best salute Dietrich has ever seen him perform, before he starts the motor again and drives in the direction the Captain has pointed out to him. They could do uncomplicated, cleverly bluffed infiltrations like this one more often, as far as Tully is concerned, the Kentuckian muses, realizing a few moments later that this is likely what the high up brass in HQ have in mind for them. Shrugging lightly, he considers that this is actually something he can really live with pretty well. Dietrich is far less prone to risky maneuvers than Sarge after all and always considers his men's safety and health first.

The German Captain tries hard to not appear tense but look relaxed, when they drive into the courtyard of the caravanserai and he directs Tully Pettigrew to the storage area on the left. The tall officer gives the hand signal to "stop" which all the Rats are familiar with by now, as he shouts his command: "Stehenbleiben! Wir entladen hier." Several of the base's soldiers approach the unknown Leutnant and salute, when they stand at attention a few steps in front of him. "Wir haben Vorräte für Sie, meine Herren. Sie entladen diese vorsichtig, da manche Gefäße von den Einheimischen erworben und aus Ton sind! Meine Männer unter der Aufsicht von Gefreiten Fischer werden Ihnen helfen, während Feldwebel Becker und ich bei Ihrem Kommandanten Meldung erstatten. Wo finden wir ihn?", Dietrich smoothly orders them to take care when unloading the supplies, as he adds the lie that they have fictile vessels bought from the natives inside which should explain the unusually large weight in addition. Then he inquires where they can find the commanding officer, as he intends to report to him with his Sergeant, while Troy under the guise of Gefreiter Fischer will supervise his men's unloading of the supplies. "Hauptmann Stadler ist in seinem Büro im Hauptgebäude, erste Treppe links, Herr Leutnant", one of the soldiers, a Sergeant, replies immediately that their Captain Stadler is in his office in the main building, up the stairways to the left. Dietrich provides a wincing salute, replying with a clear: "Danke, Feldwebel. Sie können beginnen."

Then, he turns toward the Rats and addresses them in clearly articulated German, carefully adding some plausible hand gestures to make things better understandable: "Meine Herren, Sie helfen beim Entladen der Vorräte! Seien Sie vorsichtig mit den Kisten! Wie Sie wissen, ist die Fracht fragil! Der Feldwebel wird Sie weiter anweisen." They all provide wordless salutes with Tully Pettigrew initiating the response to Troy's and Moffit's surprise. The unruly Private must really respect the German Captain immensely to go so far out of his usual ways on his orders. Troy has listened intently to the prearranged phrases and some new ones. The American is actually proud of himself that he can grasp the gist of it, namely that they should help to unload and be careful with the crates. Something about a Sergeant is lost on him, but Gotty will tell him, if it is important. These German lessons with the two polyglots are starting to pay off and until now Troy has not properly appreciated how much easier these infiltration missions become when they all can understand their enemies' language and do not have to rely on Moffit as their sole interpreter. Dietrich obviously relies far less on luck and much more on diligent planning which comes as no surprise, as he is a Jerry officer after all and a well-trained and competent one. The American Sergeant muses that this new manner of handling missions can actually appeal to him, especially since the Captain leaves him enough freedom to handle the rough situations with his usual versatility. They will make a great team, the Jerry Fox and his old gang, now that Dietrich has dropped his wary and defensive attitude for the most part, Sam Troy can definitely sense that.

"Feldwebel Becker", Hans Dietrich addresses Jack Moffit who salutes sharply in response, trying to avoid talking directly too often. "Wir erstatten dem Kommandanten Meldung." "Jawohl, Herr Leutnant", the British Sergeant replies cautiously, watching out for his pronunciation as Dietrich has instructed him. The two tall and lean men briskly walk in the indicated direction, while their comrades start to help with the unloading process. Dietrich's whole stance speaks 'German officer' at first sight, Jack Moffit has to admit, as he walks alongside the Captain who has chosen a more moderate pace, when approaching the building. The guard salutes back to the lean young 'Leutnant' whose salute is sharp, although the injured German winces slightly. "Leutnant Felsenstein und Feldwebel Becker. Wir erstatten dem Kommandanten Meldung", he informs the soldier, before the guard even asks a question which Jack has to admire as a very clever strategy, since the man immediately steps out of their way at the sharp command tone he is trained to obey. "1. Treppe links, Herr Leutnant", the German soldier tells them diligently, as they pass him by.

Dietrich nods in acknowledgement, before walking straight toward the staircase. Walking closely at the German's side, Moffit notices his eyes darting through the room constantly, as the young officer memorises the location and checks it for lurking danger and potential escape routes. This is a new manner of entering German bases for Hans who has previously been used to checking how well the bases are kept and how attentive and rested the guards are from the perspective of an Axis Captain. Nowadays these small details still tell him about the commanding officer's style of managing his base as well as how sharp he keeps his men, but in addition he has to be aware of the details relevant for an enemy infiltrator. Hauptmann Stadler has kept the base well until now and his soldiers are attentive, although Dietrich as an experienced DAK officer can notice the small signs that they are more worn and exhausted than they should be, if they would have full rations and enough sleep regularly. After all this is a state which he has found his own men in far too many times. Hans can only hope that the base commander will be reasonable to negotiate rather than pick a fight, as he has no doubts that Troy along with the Rats and Australian LRDG commando soldiers has the potential to destroy half the base before being stopped and he would truly avoid unnecessary bloodshed among the LRDG soldiers he is responsible for as well as the Wehrmacht soldiers serving his own fatherland he can clearly sympathize with.

The base commander's office is not guarded and Dietrich therefore knocks and waits to be called to enter. Usually he would take off his cap, as politeness demands, but he needs both his hands free to draw his weapon, should the need arise, and only has one healthy arm to use. Also, keeping the cap on his head hides his face far better from Hauptmann Stadler and any aid or guard who might recognize him. Once they hear the sharp call "Herein", he and Moffit exchange a quick glance, before the German Captain opens the door and enters first. Once he sees the local Hauptmann Stadler, he remembers having met the man a few times. His former Oberleutnant Wagner has liked him, as the Hauptmann is a fellow Bavarian with a similar direct attitude and manner that has greatly appealed to the First Lieutenant.

A pang of guilt hits the German Captain, when he realizes that Wagner might still be alive, if he would have served under Stadler instead of himself, the traitor. Forcing his face to keep a neutral expression, while he shoves the unwanted thoughts to the back of his mind, Dietrich provides a sharp but wincing salute. "Leutnant Felsenstein und Feldwebel Becker erstatten Meldung über die Lieferung der Vorräte auf Hauptmann Zornbrechts Anweisung", Hans reports with a professional tone, while he and Moffit scan the room. Like he himself has been many times, when working in his office and Brunner has not been around for working as a clerk, the base commander is alone in his office. This will help them greatly, as they need not threaten him and keep additional guards under control at the same time. "Danke, Leutnant", the older officer replies, as he slowly rises from behind his office desk.

Hauptmann Stadler has a very typically Bavarian build, looking more stocky and muscular than the tall and lean Northern German. The brown-haired man is in his early forties and bears a bushy moustache. If Wagner has been right about the man, the German officer will rather negotiate than risk having his men killed in a senseless fight. Or that is at least what Hans is hoping now, still trusting in his former Oberleutnant like the man has trusted him until his last moment and forfeited his life by following Dietrich's last order to shoot at the SS instead of executing civilians, mostly women and children. Wagner might actually have become good friends with Troy, given how similar they have been with directly expressing their opinion without caring about anybody's sentiments or showing his sympathy through physical contact like squeezing a shoulder which has always irritated the stern Northern German Captain. Like Troy, Wagner has not cared in the least about this and still joined him for some dinners in the officer's club, although he has preferred a good beer and chatting with some fellow Bavarians among the men far more. Sometimes he has even managed to persuade Hans to join him there and those evenings have hardly been more unpleasant than a dinner at the officer's club with the likes of Major von Stolberg. Pushing the thoughts about his past to the back of his mind, the young Captain turns toward his former comrade in arms.

"Hauptmann Stadler", Hans addresses the man with a calm, matter-of-factual tone that makes the Hauptmann look at him intently. With his left hand hidden behind his back, Dietrich meanwhile signs to Moffit to guard the door which the British Sergeant does by inconspicuously taking a step backwards and to the left. "Wir müssen Ihnen einiges über die Situation in der Oase und der Umgebung erklären", the German Captain continues that they have some things to explain about the situation in the oasis and its surroundings. Stadler eyes him sternly and grumbles: "Ich bitte darum, Leutnant." Dietrich moves cautiously and slowly to position himself in such a manner that he can look out of the window into the courtyard and observe what is going on there, while still having a good view at the German officer and whether he reaches for a weapon. "Wir beide wissen, dass seit dem Fall von Tobruk die Lage nicht gerade rosig aussieht für das deutsche Afrikakorps", the lean young man starts his line of argumentation that they both know that the situation is far from good for the DAK since the fall of Tobruk. Stadler nods grimly, as he growls impatiently: "Ich weiß. Kommen Sie auf den Punkt, Leuntant!" Dietrich almost smiles inwardly when he realizes how right Wagner has been with his assessment of the man's character. It is good that Troy is not here, as the two impatient men might jump at each other's throat even though fully intending to negotiate.

"Sie haben gehört, was sich in der Oase unter dem Kommando von Hauptmann Dietrich abgespielt hat?", Hans inquires cautiously, as for the first time he has the chance to learn how much has become known to regular German officers without SS connections about his base and his fate. Stadler scowls, as he growls darkly: "Man hat nur gehört, dass die SS sich dort eingenistet hat. Dietrich soll a Verräter g'wes'n sein. Aber ich hab' seinen Oberleutnant 'kennt und kann des ned recht glaub'n. Diese Nazi Sauhund' soll'n sich raushalten aus uns'rem saub'ren Krieg in Nordafrika. Schlimm genug, was sie woanders anstellen." Moffit looks a bit surprised by what he hears, while Dietrich swallows down a bitter lump forming in his throat, when he hears that Stadler has actual doubts about him being convicted as a traitor by the SS based on what he has heard from his Oberleutnant Wagner. Mainly the Hauptmann wishes for the SS to keep out of their clean war, as anything heard about them elsewhere is bad enough.

Meanwhile, Tully, Gotty and Turner help the German soldiers unload the crates from the trucks which is one of the critical bottlenecks of their plan, as dropping a crate by accident or handling it too roughly might result in the detection of their hidden Australian allies. Troy meanwhile has walked into the German storage area and takes a look around, pretending to help with distributing the storage crates, while he checks the interior for strategic elements, extra exits, guards and crates with weapon material. Luckily he knows terms like "Munitionskiste", "Gefahr. Waffen" and "Geschütz" from reading them countless times on all the confiscated crates he has had to check in their storage, when searching for the infiltrators' sabotage object, although Dietrich and Moffit would still make fun of him, when he would try to pronounce the words. "Gefreiter Fischer, helfen Sie bitte mal kurz!", the German Sergeant coordinating the unloading process calls out to Troy. Nodding in understanding that he wants his help for something, the American Sergeant approaches cautiously, while he hopes that the situation is self-explanatory, as he doubts that he will be able to understand any detailed instructions and even less is able to answer a request.

Seeing the crammed storage shelf, Sam scowls darkly, remembering his hurting head from where he has hit it, while searching for explosives. Why do those mad storage organisers put everything into narrow shelves? "Ist alles in Ordnung, Feldwebel?", the German soldier asks with some worry, when he sees the grim expression. Muttering something indiscernible under his breath, Troy merely nods, understanding that he is asked whether all is fine and should not draw attention. "Wir sollten die Vorräte direkt in die Regale räumen, dann brauchen sie weniger Platz", the German Sergeant tells him and already opens the first crate, while Troy still wonders what he has just told him. Knowing that it will be mere seconds, before the Jerry will come across false bottom hiding the Aussies, if he continues rummaging through the crate, Troy quickly turns around and kicks him hard against the temple. Being struck down unexpectedly by his perceived comrade, the German soldier does not even try to defend himself, before he collapses unconsciously.

"Out, quick!", Troy orders for the Australian in the crate, as he moves the board to the side that has hidden him under a false floor. "Blimey. I won't do that again anytime soon", Kevin O'Donnell mutters, as he clambered out of the crate, drenched in sweat and with a red head from the heat in the cramped space with hardly any ventilation. "He, was ist da los?", Troy hears a shout behind him and quickly turns around to strike the German soldier, carrying another crate in the face. "Scheiße, was soll das, Mann?", the second soldier shouts angrily, when a knife drawn over his throat, cutting deeply through his windpipe ends his tirade in a gurgling sound that ends quickly thereafter along with the soldier's life. Tully Pettigrew meets Troy's gaze coolly, after the American Sergeant looks up, once he has knocked out the first German with a few more blows against the head. "That's the language I prefer speaking with those krauts", Kevin O'Donnell agrees, seeing that they need no further support, as he kneels down to open the next crate and help his fellow soldier out. "Let's take out the others as well. Then I know where we can find ourselves some nice German machine guns", Troy declares proudly, as he points at a crate with "Gefahr. Waffen." on its side. "Cap trained you well", Tully comments with a smirk, as he drags the dead body behind a shelf and turns back to the door to get rid of the next German soldier entering the storage room.

Unaware of the drama already unfolding Hans has to make a decision on how best to persuade the German Hauptmann, now that he has a personal impression of the man and his character. Deciding to take the risk with the German commander, the younger officer tells him with a stern tone: "Ich bin Hans Dietrich." Stadler stares at him incredulously, while Moffit draws in a sharp breath, tightening his grip around the handle of his gun without drawing it yet. "Wie bitte?", the Bavarian Hauptmann asks incredulously. Dietrich bears a fatalistic expression now. "Sie haben mich schon richtig gehört. Mein Name ist Hans Dietrich, einstmals Hauptmann im Deutschen Afrikakorps. Ich diene mittlerweile in der LRDG. Meine ehemalige Basis ist inzwischen in der Hand der Araber. Die Allierten haben vorgestern Hauptmann Zornbrechts Oasenfort übernommen und sind seither weiter vorgerückt." Dietrich explains that his own base is in the hands of the Arabs now and he is a member of the LRDG, while Zornbrecht's fort has fallen two days ago. At the same time Moffit draws his gun and points it directly at the incredulous German Hauptmann. "Das kann nicht sein. Ich habe erst vor ein paar Stunden mit dem Fort konferiert", Stadler mutters incredulously that this is impossible, as he has still communicated with the fort only a few hours ago. "Mit dem Kommunikationsoffizier Leutnant Heinrich nehme ich an, der einer unserer Männer ist", Dietrich counters coolly that the radio officer Lieutenant Heinrich is one of their men.

"Meine Männer... ich habe zwei Konvois zur Oase geschickt auf Empfehlung des Leutnants", Stadler shouts angrily that he has sent two convoys to the oasis on the Lieutenant's recommendation. "Wir haben sie abgefangen", Dietrich informs him calmly that they have intercepted them. "Ihr Leutnant Binder war klug genug, sich kampflos zu ergeben, weshalb er und seine Männer wohlauf sind. Ihre Soldaten des zweiten Konvois waren leider nicht so vernünftig, weshalb sie komplett aufgerieben wurden, ohne Überlebende." The Hauptmann's angry red face pales slightly, when he hears that his second convoy has been destroyed without survivors. The only good news is that Lieutenant Binder has been wise enough to surrender without a fight, keeping himself and his men alive in this manner. "Wenn Sie das überzeugt, kann ich Ihnen die verbliebenen Hälften der Erkennungsmarken übergeben, die wir eingesammelt haben, als wir die Toten bestattet haben", Dietrich offers grimly that he can hand over the lower halves of the soldiers' dog tags which they have collected when burying the dead. Hauptmann Stadler stares at him, apparently struggling himself to come up with an idea how to react to this information and offer.

The lean young Captain draws a sharp breath through his teeth and his hand gun in a single swift motion with his left hand, when he sees a commotion starting in the courtyard. Shots ring out moments later, as Troy leads the Rats and the Australians to quickly eliminate the German guards in the courtyard. "Befehlen Sie das Feuer einzustellen, dann gebe ich dasselbe Kommando für meine Männer!", Dietrich orders sternly that the Hauptmann should order his men to cease fire, offering to give the same command to his own men. Seeing no other option to keep this situation from escalating which is already turning from bad to worse with every second, Stadler reluctantly agrees. "Ich lasse das Feuer einstellen. Pfeifen Sie Ihre Höllenhunde zurück!" Moffit smirks when Stadler calls Troy and his troops hellhounds which the other officer should call back. Hans decides that he will keep the term in mind to rub it under Troy's nose when the appropriate occasion arises. Maybe he will even let Boggs and Brown share in the mirth.

"Nach Ihnen, Herr Hauptmann", the tall young German speaks coolly, as he waves his gun slightly in the direction of the window, indicating for Stadler to move there, while always keeping the man covered. "Feuer einstellen!", the Bavarian Captain shouts down into the courtyard. Once he sees that the German troops actually obey reluctantly, the Kieler steps to the window to be visible from the courtyard: "Sergeant Troy, cease fire! We are negotiating with Hauptmann Stadler." Troy looks up and nods grimly, while Pettigrew fires a last well-placed shot at a German gunner, killing the man instantly with a single bullet to the head. Then he also lowers his gun and gives a thumbs up sign to his Captain. The Australians and the two Corporals look grim, while they keep their weapons pointed at their enemies, but no further shots are fired. "Meine Herren, wir verhandeln mit Ihrem Hauptmann, um Ihnen allen einen friedlichen Abzug zu gewährleisten", Dietrich bellows the information for the German troops that they will negotiate with their Hauptmann to allow them a peaceful surrender. Knowing how tense and nervous the men are in such situations from almost two years of experience, the young Captain considers it wise to provide them with an incentive to stay cooperative. Moffit notes that this is a clever maneuver of the German officer to keep their enemies calm and restrained which he has never actually thought of.

When Dietrich takes a step back from the window to turn to Stadler, the Bavarian eyes him with a mixture of anger, confusion and disdain. "Sie waren doch einst ein anständiger, ehrenwerter, loyaler Offizier, Dietrich. Was ist geschehen?", the Southern German Hauptmann addresses the younger officer. "Die SS hat mich gefoltert und zum Tode verurteilt für einen Verrat, den ich nicht begangen habe. Aber sie haben mir aber auch die Augen geöffnet, dass junge Männer in den Tod zu schicken für ein System, das seine eigenen Bürger belügt und terrorisiert, das seine eigenen Offiziere derartig mit Füßen tritt, nicht richtig sein kann", Hans argues with conviction that when the SS has tortured him and convicted him for a treason he has not actually committed, it has opened his eyes to the fact that in cannot be right to send countless young men to their death for a system terrorizing and lying to its citizens which treats its own officers with such disdain.

"Die Sauhund Staffel", the German base commander spits out, cursing the SS, as he meets Dietrich's gaze. "Ich will nicht den Tod Ihrer Männer, genau genommen keines anständigen deutschen Soldaten oder Offiziers, Hauptmann Stadler", Dietrich argues calmly that he does not want the death of any of his men, or even any decent German soldier or officer at all. "Ich habe alles verloren außer mein Leben und geschworen, dieses einzusetzen, um mein deutsches Vaterland von den Nazis und ihren Schergen zu befreien." Stadler looks honestly astonished, but impressed, when the younger officer explains that he has lost everything with the exception of his life and sworn to dedicate this life to liberating his German fatherland from the Nazis and their goons. "Wagner hatte recht. Sie sind ein anständiger Kerl, Dietrich", the Bavarian mutters less angrily that Wagner has been right with his assessment that Dietrich is a decent man.

"Ich schwöre Ihnen bei meiner Ehre als deutscher Offizier, Stadler, wenn Sie sich ergeben, dass Ihre Männer als Kriegsgefangene gut und anständig behandelt werden und jedenfalls besser versorgt sind als derzeit von Ihrem eigenen Hauptquartier", the younger officer declares with passion that he swears on his honor as a German officer that if Stadler chooses to surrender, his men will be treated fairly and definitely be better supplied and taken care of than through their current HQ. "Himmel Herrschaftszeiten. De damischen Saupreißen mit eanara präpotenten Watschpappen kennen mi mal kreuzweis' am Oarsch lecken", Stadler swears angrily. While Dietrich blushes slightly at the collection of curse words against Prussians and the German authorities in general which he has not heard since the last time Wagner has thrown one of his fits in a similar manner, Moffit grins with amusement. In his youth in Munich he has learned that the Bavarians have a special affinity for creative cursing through fascinating metaphors and the Hauptmann is a prime example of this. Taking this man as a prisoner promises to be a plethora of fun for the British Sergeant in the future.

"Ich verstehe Ihren Ärger zur Genüge, Stadler, habe ich mich doch selbst oft genug in Ihrer Situation befunden, ohne ausreichend Vorräte, mit hungernden und verzweifelten Männern gegen eine feindliche Übermacht zu stehen, während die widrigen Elemente Kraft und Moral schon längst untergraben haben und keinerlei Unterstützung von den Vorgesetzten zu erwarten ist", the young Captain argues that he understands the other's anger well, as he has shared his situation often enough to stand without supplies, but with hungry and desperate man against a superior enemy force, after morale and strength have already been worn down by the hostile elements and no support is forthcoming from one's superiors. Stadler eyes the lean young man wearily who has condensed most clearly what is troubling him in an empathic manner he has never felt among any of his superiors. Hans Dietrich obviously is a German officer with a lot of experience as the commander of desert troops in desperate situations and a good man to wish to preserve the lives of the soldiers rather than throwing them away for needless heroics. The Hauptmann is sure that he can trust his gut feeling that the young officer is more trustworthy than most of the other Prussians he has been clashing with, given Stadler's pert and direct manner of criticizing orders and superiors. "Sie haben mein Wort als deutscher Offizier, Dietrich, dass wir kooperieren werden. Für einen Saupreißen sind Sie einer der Anständigsten, die ich je getroffen hab", Stadler gives his word to cooperate, declaring that the young officer is one of the most decent Prussians he has ever met. Hans Dietrich is torn between feeling offended by the term 'Saupreiß' and appreciative that the Bavarian considers him one of the most decent German officers he has ever met and is willing to trust him.

"Geben Sie den Befehl, sich zu ergeben, alle Waffen an unsere Männer zu übergeben und die Tore für unseren Konvoi zu öffnen, Stadler! Ich will dafür sorgen, dass keinem Ihrer Männer, der sich kooperativ verhält, etwas widerfährt", the younger Captain orders his former fellow Hauptmann to order his men to surrender, hand over their weapons to Dietrich's men and open the doors for their convoy which should be closely behind them. Hans promises in return to assure that none of Stadler's men will be harmed, as long as he remains cooperative. "Wir werden anschließend zum Radio gehen und unseren Konvoi verständigen. Dabei können Sie sich auch davon überzeugen, dass Leutnant Heinrich in Wahrheit für uns arbeitet." With a professional tone, the young officer adds that they will then inform their convoy via radio. Then, Stadler can also convince himself that Leutnant Heinrich indeed works for his enemies. "Einverstanden, Dietrich", the Bavarian officer agrees and offers his right hand to symbolically seal the verbal contract. After a moment of hesitation and exchanging a glance with the grim looking British Sergeant, Hans puts his gun back into his holster. Unable to hide his wince and a pained grimace from passing over his face, he moves his injured arm to grasp Stadler's hand.

"De schaßbirnaten Sauhund?", the German Hauptmann asks with unexpected sympathy in his tone, as he points at the younger man's shoulder. It takes Dietrich a moment to realise that Stadler is talking about the SS, as he has never heard this particular derogatory before, but is absolutely sure that Wagner would have loved it. "Ja", the lean younger officer replies with a carefully controlled tone, rubbing his aching shoulder. "Wir sollten Ihren und meinen Männern Bescheid geben, dass wir uns geeinigt haben, bevor einer etwas Dummes tut", Dietrich suggests dryly that they should inform their men that they have reached an agreement, before anyone does something stupid. "Meine Männer würden nichts Dummes tun!", Stadler insists with slightly wounded pride that his men would not act stupidly. Hans smiles a wry smile. "Darauf hätte ich mich noch nicht einmal verlassen, als noch deutsche Soldaten befehligt habe. Aber seit ich Amis und Aussies kommandiere, bin ich richtig bescheiden geworden und froh, wenn mir nicht binnen weniger Minuten alles um die Ohren fliegt oder im Kugelhagel endet." Stadler eyes him a bit doubtfully, when the younger officer explains that he would not even have dared to rely on this with his German troops. But now that he is in command of Yankees and diggers, he can do so even less. This experience has taught him to appreciate when for once not everything blows up in smoke or ends in a hail of bullets within mere minutes. Jack Moffit grins at the accurate assessment and Dietrich has not even seen everything Troy has ever pulled off with his men.

Stepping toward the window again, Stadler calls out: "Wir haben uns geeinigt. Die ganze Kompanie tritt an, um die Befehle zu hören. Alle Waffen werden niedergelegt und kein Widerstand geleistet!" Dietrich steps next to him and shouts his own orders: "Sie haben die Befehle Ihres Hauptmanns gehört. Befolgen Sie sie und niemand muss weiter verletzt werden. Sergeant Troy, we have reached an agreement with the Captain. The Germans will surrender. Cease all aggressive actions immediately, unless in self-defense. Stadler gave a roll call and will give according orders. Stay ready, but don't fire!" Sam Troy listens first to the German Hauptmann, then his own Captain giving their orders. This has gone a lot more smoothly than usual, he has to admit, although he misses the sensation of beating up some Jerries properly a little. Well, at least he has knocked out two and shot at some more. All in all this has been a sufficient amount of action, although his adrenaline pumped body would ask for more. Eric Turner sighs with relief and exchanges a glance with Riku Gottschlich next to him who looks equally glad that taking over a whole fort with an inferior force and still hardly any bloodshed seems to work out successfully. Captain Dietrich really is an excellent officer to learn from for both Corporals.

The German soldiers lay down their weapons, before walking out into the open courtyard with their arms raised. Troy shouts orders for Gottschlich, Turner and several of the Australians to change position in such a manner that they have all sides of the courtyard under control. Then, Dietrich steps out of the main gate without a drawn gun, demonstrating to the Bavarian walking next to him his willingness to trust the other officer's word. Finally, two guards follow them walking in front of an armed Moffit with raised arms, while the British Sergeant keeps his gun pointed at them. "That damned noble hearted idiot", Troy grumbles for only Tully next to him to hear. "You can't trust a Jerry officer." "Cap's a Jerry officer", the young Private points out coolly. "We've caught ourselves the only decent and honorable fox among them and he's one of us now", Troy growls in protest. "The rest is just a bunch of lousy, good for nothing Nazis." Tully shrugs, unwilling to stand up in defence of any German officer with the exception of Hans Dietrich. The Captain will have to discuss this with Troy himself.

"Herr Hauptmann", a young German soldier shouts with disbelief in his tone, as the trio steps into the courtyard. Dietrich immediately recognizes one of his former soldiers, Heinz Heinrich, nicknamed Heini, as his parents have chosen his first name identical to his last name. The young man has once stood at his side, when Hans has been forced to strike a truce with Troy and his Rats to fend off a whole Bedouin army of one of their most influential local warlords. How much has changed since then? Now Dietrich himself is the commander of the Rat Patrol and Troy his loyal man, while Heini will become a POW which might be his best chance of making it out of this war alive. "Heini, gut zu sehen, dass es Ihnen gut geht", Hans returns the greeting in a friendly manner, honestly relieved to see the man well, as he tells him. While the young German smiles with honest sympathy at his former Captain, Stadler looks surprised by the friendly exchange between the two, but then concentrates on providing the required orders for his men. "Still gestanden!", he bellows and each German soldier automatically stands at attention, including Dietrich who cannot fully deny his training which has been drilled into him already in his childhood days. Moffit smiles at the Captain's unwitting reaction, but still looks a bit jealous how much better the German soldiers are at this exercise compared to the Yankees and can easily deduce that Hans Dietrich is thinking along the same lines.

"Alle Waffen werden übergeben. Sie befolgen die Anweisungen der Alliierten Soldaten und leisten keinen Widerstand!", Stadler barks his orders as previously arranged with Dietrich. Noticing bodies of some of his injured men lying on the ground, he inquires quietly from the tall young officer next to him: "Dürfen wir unsere Verwundeten auf die Krankenstation bringen, damit die Männer versorgt werden?" hans agrees immediately without a flicker of doubt or hesitation that the wounded may be treated in their sickbay. "Selbstverständlich, Hauptmann Stadler. Sergeant Moffit wird den Transport der Verwundeten überwachen." "Jawohl, Captain", Jack immediately agrees to being put in charge of taking care of the wounded and their transport to the local sickbay. If this is some ruse or they try to turn against them, he is the most qualified man for understanding their conspiracy. The Captain has really chosen their supervisor smartly, Jack assesses approvingly. "Sergeant Moffit hier wird Sie anweisen und beaufsichtigen, während Sie sich um ihre verwundeten Kameraden kümmern. Unsere Verbündeten werden in Kürze hier eintreffen. Verhalten Sie sich bis dahin ruhig und kooperativ, dann werden meiner Männer Ihnen nichts zuleide tun!", the former German Wehrmacht Hauptmann announces to the caravanseray's troops that Moffit will supervise them while taking care of their wounded comrades, reminding them again that their allies will arrive shortly and that they should remain cooperative and quiet so his men will not do them any harm.

"Blimey, we should have caught ourselves a desert fox much earlier, don't you think so, Willy?", Lieutenant O'Malley whispers to the aboriginal Sergeant next to him. "Right you are, Paddy. Browny would've loved to get him for us", Williamson agrees. "We applied for his unit", Kevin O'Donnell declares proudly, not in the least worried that this could be held against him. "We sure would've liked to get a lockpicking Captain", his friend Michael Lakatos joins in. "Watchit, fellas!", their Lieutenant admonishes sternly. "We still need to keep an eye on the krauts, though our Captain Sherlock has 'em pretty well under control without a weapon."

Troy meanwhile takes his position next to Dietrich who merely glances at him, before focusing his attention back on the German troops and their Hauptmann. Having the American Sergeant close to him is a double relief for Hans. On the one hand, he has a reliable man closeby who will protect and support him, should the need arise, as he still is not fully able to defend himself with his injured arm. On the other hand, the German officer can keep him best under control, when the Sergeant is close to him, as this will prohibit him most efficiently from wreaking havoc somewhere else. "Looks like you're pretty successful with your negotiation tactics", Troy comments with a grin. Dietrich merely nods briefly, as he replies dryly: "Indeed, Sergeant. Have there been any problems?" "None that we couldn't have solved with our usual negotiation tactics", the black-haired American replies with a grin, presenting his gun and holding up his balled fist. Hans resists the urge to stoop so low as to roll his eyes and sighs instead, as he inquires: "How many did not survive your negotiations?" "Two in the storage, a few more died in the gun fight outside", Troy answers coolly. "Tully prefers to let his knife talk instead of his fists." The lean young officer raises his eyebrows in a sarcastic expression. "These are truly very few casualties for the infamous Rat Patrol. I see how you have really tried to be diplomatic", he comments with dark irony. "Haven't we? Usually I would just have blown up that damned ammunition depot and gunned our way out of here", Troy replies sarcastically. "Are our calm and well-bred European manners finally rubbing off on you? I must tell Moffit. He will surely be delighted", Hans counters with dry sarcasm.

"Dietrich?", Stadler addresses the lean German Captain after having observed the whole exchange between the former Hauptmann who has been infamous for his enmity with the Rat Patrol and the leader of the commando unit who treats the young officer as if he is his friend rather than his former enemy turned ally. "Lassen Sie uns zum Funkgerät gehen, Hauptmann Stadler!", Dietrich replies coolly, letting the other man lead the way to the radio unit, while Troy follows with a grim look and his gun pointed at the older German Captain who pointedly ignores him, while speaking with Dietrich. Now that Stadler has had the time to observe the young officer closely, he has noticed the dark bruises underneath the layer of dust and what is likely makeup. They look too fresh to result from his SS arrest and torture a month ago. Also the uniform jacket and shirt do not fully fit the lean man who appears rather thin at closer inspection even in comparison with Stadler's own undernourished men. His shoulder injury has already been obvious before. Nonetheless, the honorable young officer keeps a straight stance and leaves a proud impression, as he strides through the fort in a dignified manner. The German Hauptmann respects the younger Captain for his attitude and manner of keeping himself running under adverse conditions in addition for honestly trying to avoid unnecessarily shedding German blood.

The radio officer has not yet been informed on the details of what is going on, as he has kept his post diligently. "Hauptmann Stadler, was ist los?", the blond man inquires with a worried tone, when his Hauptmann approaches, followed by a black-haired Leutnant and Feldwebel who points a gun at him. "Wir haben uns in die Gefangenschaft der Alliierten ergeben", Stadler informs him that they have surrendered to the Allies. The man appears incredulous, as he stammers: "Den Alliierten ergeben? Weshalb? Wie?" "Weil Hauptmann Dietrich mir eine anständige Behandlung der Männer zugesichert hat und der Mann ein Ehrenmann ist. Er und seine Männer von der LRDP sind hier erfolgreich eingedrungen und haben mir dieses Ultimatum unterbreitet, das die beste Lösung zum Wohle unserer Männer ist, Leutnant", Stadler replies that Dietrich has promised a fair treatment of their men and he is a man of honor to be trusted. After he and his men have made their way into the fort and offered this ultimatum to him, Stadler considers it the best solution for all their men.

"Rufen Sie dieselbe deutsche Frequenz wie heute morgen und gestern!", Hans Dietrich instructs to call on the same German radio frequency as in the morning and on the previous day. "Tun Sie, was er sagt!", Stadler confirms the order to which the radio officer finally complies. "Deutsche Oase, bitte kommen!", he repeats a few times, before he receives an answer in the same manner as on the previous day: "Hier spricht Leutnant Heinrich von Hauptmann Zornbrechts Einheit." Dietrich nods to Stadler who orders his radio officer to hand over the microphone. "Jakob, hier spricht Hans", the young officer identifies himself. "Bitte teile Hauptmann Stadler und seinem Leutnant hier neben mir mit, wer du wirklich bist." "Lieutenant Jakob Silberblatt, U.S. Army", the Jewish officer identifies himself, as his friend has requested. Troy and Dietrich observe the two German officers growing slightly paler at the realisation how well they have been finessed for a whole day already.

"Wie Sie sehen, verfügen wir über das entsprechende Personal und haben diese Aktion von langer Hand geplant", Hans informs them coolly that they have planned this takeover well and applied their appropriate personnel. "Jakob, melde Captain Boggs und den höher stehenden Offizieren, dass wir Hauptmann Stadlers Zusicherung haben, dass er seinen Stützpunkt kampflos an uns übergibt. Seine Männer haben bereits die Waffen niedergelegt. Mit den Ratten und den Australiern werde ich die Lage hier unter Kontrolle halten, bis ihr kommt", the young Captain reports Stadler's surrender of his whole base and unit which he will keep in check until the arrival of the main convoy." "Ausgezeichnet, Hans. Ich gebe es gleich weiter. Wir sind in spätestens einer Stunde bei euch", Jakob Silberblatt replies enthusiastically that he will report this immediately and they should be able to join them in an hour at most.

"Was wird nun mit uns geschehen?", the German Hauptmann asks with a serious tone and concerned expression. "Wir werden Sie offiziell als Kriegsgefangene registrieren. Ab diesem Zeitpunkt stehen Sie und Ihre Männer unter dem Schutz der Genfer Konvention. Alle Verwundeten werden nach besten Möglichkeiten von uns versorgt, auch auf der kommenden Weiterreise zum Hauptquartier der Alliierten", Dietrich replies matter-of-factually that they will register all of them officially as POWs and from then on Stadler and his men will be protected by the Geneva Convention. The young Captain also promises that they will treat all wounded to the best of their possibilities and abilities, also during the journey to come which is to end at the Allied HQ. Stadler nods. "Ich verstehe."

"Sie sind neben Hauptmann Zornbrecht der höchstrangige Offizier unter unseren Gefangenen", Hans also informs him that he is the highest ranking POW officer beside Hauptmann Zornbrecht. "Ich würde Ihnen daher gerne das Kommando über die Kriegsgefangenen überlassen, das bisher der italienische Tenente Marcello innegehabt hat, nachdem ich zu den Alliierten übergelaufen bin. Viele der Deutschen sind meine früheren Männer, die Ihnen keine Probleme bereiten werden, wenn es darum geht friedlich und kooperativ zu sein. Sie haben miterlebt, wie die SS auf meiner Basis gewütet hat und sind froh, mit dem Leben davongekommen zu sein. Dann gibt es noch weitere Gefangenen von anderen Einheiten, die deutlich stärker durch Kämpfe dezimiert wurden. Dazu gehören die Männer von Major von Stolberg und Hauptmann Zornbrecht." The older Hauptmann is slightly astonished at the detailed report about the different units the men belong to and that the young Captain wishes for him to take over the command of the POWs as the highest ranking officer from the Italian Tenente Marcello. Hans also assures him that his own former men will be compliant, as they have experienced how the SS officers and troops have ravaged at his former base and are glad to have escaped with their lives.

When he hears that Dietrich's own men who are still in the majority will be cooperative, while he should watch out for trouble mainly from the men of Zornbrecht and von Stolberg, he inquires with astonishment: "Von Stolberg? Der Racheengel des Afrikakorps?" "Ja, genau dieser von Stolberg. Er lebt nicht mehr, aber die letzten Überlebenden seiner Einheit sind unsere Gefangenen", the younger Captain confirms that this is exactly the von Stolberg they are talking about and although the man himself is dead, the surviving members of his unit are still their prisoners. "Um den präpotenten Preißensauhund mit sein'm Adelsfimmel is ned schad", Stadler assesses coolly that he will not shed a single tear over the arrogant Prussian aristocrat. Dietrich smiles wryly. "Ich würde vorschlagen, dass Sie das seinen Männer in etwas diplomatischerer Weise vermitteln", he suggests to communicate with the Major's former men in a more diplomatic manner than applying countless Bavarian swear words.

"Schad', dass mia uns ned scho früher 'troffen ham, Dietrich. I mog Sie wirklich", the Bavarian Hauptmann is honestly sad to not have met Dietrich before, as he actually likes him, while he pats the taller officer on the shoulder who looks honestly surprised. "Das beruht auf Gegenseitigkeit, Hauptmann Stadler. Oberleutnant Wagner hat stets gut über Sie gesprochen", Hans replies in a friendly tone that the feeling is quite mutual and he remembers his First Lieutenant Wagner always speaking well of the other officer. The younger Captain's wry smile turns sad, as he replies: "Sie sollten wissen, dass er gestorben ist, weil die SS ihn hat hinrichten lassen, nachdem er ein Erschießungskommando auf meinen Befehl hin auf SS Schergen anstatt Frauen und Kinder hat schießen lassen, selbst wenn sie Juden waren." Stadler's expression turns equally sad when he hears that Wagner has been executed by the SS after shooting at SS goons rather than women and children, even though they have been Jews. "Scheiß Sauhund von der SS", the Bavarian curses lividly. "Ich könnt' sie selber daschiaß'n. I versteh' Sie guat, Dietrich, dass Sie dann zu die Amis 'gangen san." Dietrich nods, although he is quite surprised by the older Captain's sympathy and statement that he can actually understand why the younger officer has defected to the Americans after that, cursing the SS.

Jack Moffit interrupts their conversation, before Hans Dietrich can reply, as the British Sergeant reports: "All men have been taken care of in the sickbay. We could help most, only six are actually dead." Stadler nods in understanding. "Danke, Feldwebel." "Ich habe eine sehr wichtige Frage an Sie, Hauptmann Stadler", Moffit addresses the German with an important question and even changes back to speaking German again, although the German officer obviously understands English. Not only the German Hauptmann, but also Dietrich and Troy look curious now as to what the British Sergeant intends. "Es soll hier irgendwo irgendwo Ausgrabungen gegeben haben. Wissen Sie etwas darüber?", the former Cambridge scholar inquires with eager curiosity. Stadler stares at him incredulously, when he gets asked about excavations and digsites. "Sowas kann nur einem Tommy einfallen. Habt's ihr ned genug zamgestohlenes Klump in eurem Museum in London?", the Bavarian grumbles that only a Tommy could ask something like this, inquiring with irony whether they do not have enough stolen stuff in their museum in London.

Dietrich smirks, highly amused, while Moffit glares at the German Hauptmann Stadler, looking a bit miffed. "Die Professoren und Wissenschaftler unter dem Protektorat der britischen Krone stehlen nicht. Sie retten und konservieren Kunstschätze, die von den primitiven und ungebildeten Völkern nicht einmal angemessen wertgeschätzt werden können", the British scholar counters indignantly that the scientists and professors under the protectorate of the British Crown do not steal, but merely protect and conserve countless artefacts which primitive and uneducated people could not possibly value appropriately. "Leckt's mi do am Oarsch!", Stadler curses, making Moffit blush slightly, while Troy mutters to Dietrich: "What does this mean?" "I won't translate this for you, Troy. This is a phrase neither Moffit nor I would ever want you to learn." "You're a spoilsport. I so appreciated all our nice German lessons", Sam grumbles. "Then you can continue to appreciate them by learning a language which is appropriate for being used in public", the young Captain counters dryly.

"Hey, Cap. Our convoy's comin'", Tully Pettigrew shouts outside. "Thank you, Pettigrew. We will join you in the courtyard and call all Germans to another roll call", Dietrich bellows back. "Dann werd' ich die Männer mal zusammentrommeln", Stadler mutters with a grim expression. Although this allows him to escape from the eccentric questions of the British Sergeant, this means the final step in their surrender, when he will call his men together and let the enemy troops enter the premises. The three Rat Patrol men escort the two German officers outside, where the older Hauptmann calls his men together and renews his orders. Then, they all watch, as first Captain Brown and some of his Australian LRDP members drive into the courtyard, followed by British and German tanks to the astonishment of several German soldiers. Then follows the column of trucks and armed vehicles with Captain Boggs, Major Turner and General Atkins. Eric Turner is quite relieved to see his uncle again, although the whole episode of taking over the fort has been a lot less brutal than he would have expected from the LRDG's and particularly the Rat Patrol's reputation.

A little brown dog is among the first to jump down from the back of a truck and runs around the courtyard with his excited barks. "Des deukate Hundsviech! Was soll die Bellerei?", Stadler swears loudly about the dog, while Fritz runs up to Dietrich, yelping fondly, then spots Troy and jumps up at him with loud barking, fawning all the while. Being back in the familiar environment of a desert fort and all the action happening is exciting for the little mutt and he quickly turns around again to run up to the next person he knows and considers nice enough to pet him. "Fritz ist bei Weitem besser im Benehmen als die meisten der Amerikaner", Hans counters dryly. "Fritz, still! Komm her!", he calls the dog over, just to demonstrate his point. Fawning enthusiastically, Fritz comes running to his master and jumps up on his leg, placing his front paws on the man's thigh, as he looks at the tall German with expectant brown eyes. "Platz und sei still!", Dietrich orders sternly, after petting the dog's head gently. With a sad whine that ends quickly and big suffering eyes directed a little longer at the German officer, the little dog obeys and finally curls up in the sand next to his master's boots from where he observes what is happening in the courtyard.

Stadler looks actually a bit impressed, as he asks curiously: "Tatsächlich gut erzogen. Aber warum wollten Sie sich so einen Köter hier draußen halten?" "Er war schon in meiner alten Kompanie das Maskottchen, das die Männer bei guter Laune gehalten hat und jetzt ist er es wieder bei den sentimentalen Amerikaners", the younger German Captain explains calmly that he has kept Fritz, because the little dog has already been the mascot of his previous unit and has regained that status among the sentimental Americans as well. "Die Ratten haben ihn bei mir zurückgelassen, nachdem Sie eines meiner bestgeschützten Munitionslager gesprengt haben", he adds dryly that the Rats have left the dog after blowing up one of his best protected ammunition dumps. "Sie sind jetzt der Kommandant der Ratten", Stadler states incredulously. "Ironie des Schicksals und durchaus nicht meine erste Wahl", Dietrich replies dryly that becoming the Rats' commander is an irony of fate and has not been his first choice. Troy scowls a bit, as he can understand that they are talking about his unit, but the actual details are lost on him.

"Jetzt ist es also soweit", Stadler assesses calmly, as he observes the trucks with American, British and Australian soldiers swarming out and several soldiers in German und Italian uniforms being directed toward an area in the courtyard where the prisoners carry and start to build up tents for their prison camp. Seeing the large number of POWs makes him worry about their status and treatment. But Dietrich wants him as senior POW officer and the young Captain has promised him that he will assure their fair treatment. If Stadler is sure of one thing for the future, it is that Hans Dietrich is reliable and trustworthy. "Alles Gute für Ihre Zukunft, Hauptmann Stadler", the younger German Captain wishes him all the best for his future, promising that he will speak with him about the prisoners. "Ich werde öfter mit Ihnen bezüglich der Gefangenen sprechen. Lassen Sie mir Tenente Marcello schön grüßen, aber hüten Sie sich vor dem Angebot, dass er Ihnen was vorsingt. Er ist ein professioneller Opernsänger aus Venedig und eine ziemliche Diva. Und er hört stundenlang nicht mehr auf zu singen, wenn er einmal anfängt." With a wry smile, Dietrich adds that the other should send his regards to Tenente Marcello, but beware of his offer to sing for the Hauptmann, as he is a professional opera singer and quite a diva who will not stop singing for hours, once he has started. "Kreizkruzifix, des hat ma no g'fehlt", the Bavarian swears that this is the last thing he wants.

Lieutenant Carlos comes toward them and salutes to the German Captain, which both German officers answer with salutes of their own, while Troy merely nods at him. "Lieutenant Carlos, please lead Hauptmann Stadler to the prisoners' area and have him and all his men registered as prisoners of war. Lieutenant Silberblatt should help you, so that you always have a German native speaker available", Dietrich tells him sternly, smiling inwardly how his friend who is unfamiliar with the Bavarian dialect and their affinity for swearing constantly will enjoy Stadler's outbursts. Hauptmann Stadler turns to Dietrich to shake his hand one last time and thank him. "Danke vielmals, Dietrich. Wir haben Ihnen viel zu verdanken." "Ich habe weder mein Volk noch mein Vaterland je verraten, Stadler. Ich will es lediglich frei sehen von den Nazis und ihrem Regime", Dietrich replies fervently that he has never intended to betray his people or his fatherland, but wants to see both of them free of the Nazis and their regime. Stadler nods with honest sympathy and understanding for the younger officer, although this is not his path to take. "Pfiat eana Gott, Dietrich!", the Bavarian says his goodbye in his classical manner, patting the taller younger officer on the shoulder, before he follows Carlos.

Once Hauptmann Stadler is out of earshot, Sam Troy mutters incredulously: "He's almost behaving like your Italian pal. I've never seen a Jerry officer like this before." Hans grins with actual amusement. "The Bavarians are typically more outgoing and direct than the rest of the Germans. You would probably like Stadler. He's got a lot in common with you regarding his character." "Don't compare me to some Jerry officer!", the American Sergeant protests stubbornly. "I'm merely saying that he is direct, straight-forward and honest which he has in common with you, Troy", the young Captain states calmly, trying to deescalate the situation. Troy scowls at him, but does not protest anymore, especially since he has another topic he is interested in: "Was this actually German he was speaking?" Dietrich laughs briefly at the slightly incredulous question. "Yes, indeed, Troy. Although I have to admit I cannot blame you for not understanding his speech, as I struggled for a while myself to understand the Bavarian dialect, even though I'm a German native speaker."

"That sounded crazy, but interesting", the American Sergeant admits. "I suppose you refer to his collection of colourful metaphors and swear words. I'm sure you would love to learn those, but they are not helpful in any way for our missions. And also I'm a Northerner, so I can speak Plattdütsch, but I could not speak that Bavarian jargon, if my life depended on it", the lean Kieler replies coolly, hoping that Moffit is not well-versed enough in the Bavarian dialect to teach Troy even a fraction of those swear words, ashis nerves are already suffering enough under the Sergeant's onslaughts. "You really don't wanna tell me that funny phrase that made Jack blush?", the American Sergeant inquires again, grinning at the German Captain, as he tries to appeal to his mischievous side. "I'm absolutely sure that this is among the last phrases I would ever like to teach you", Hans Dietrich confirms sternly. "You're a Jerry smartass, Dietrich. It's unfair to keep me out", Troy protests, glaring at the lean German with indignation. "And you're behaving like a petulant child, Troy", the young officer replies dryly. "Nobody is keeping you out. We simply wish to add some value to your education and spare our own nerves at the same time."

Mark Hitchcock is the next to stroll over the courtyard and Fritz starts wagging his tail enthusiastically at the sight of the young Private. To avoid the strike of the dog's tail against his boot, Dietrich lets him get up to greet his friend. "Fritz, my dear little hero!", Hitch coos over the fawning dog that jumps up at him to receive his cuddles. "I'm still not convinced who of those two is the better behaved one", Dietrich mutters dryly. "I'd say Fritz", Troy comments with a grin. Once the Private has petted his favourite hero, he can finally take a look around the courtyard and notices a familiar face among the German soldiers. "Heini!", Hitch shouts jovially, making the young Wehrmacht soldier with the prominent moustache whirl around with an incredulous expression. "Der Kaugummiami von den Ratten", the German soldier mutters with a surprised tone, as he recognizes the American Rat Patrol Private who has once shared the chewing gum with him. Then, his gaze shifts to the other men of the unit and finally the realization dawns on him. Hauptmann Dietrich is the commander of the desert Rats now.

The tall young officer approaches them with a stern gaze. "No chewing gum for Private Heinrich, Hitchcock! The poor man is struck hard enough by his bad luck without you tempting him again into perusing this dubious substance", the German Captain admonishes with a stern gaze. "Oh, come on, Cap. Just a little pack won't harm him", Hitch whines with the tone of a petulant school boy, arguing with his strict no-nonsense teacher. "The last time Heini tried out this infernal chewing gum and blowing bubbles with it, he spent two days with scratching this horrible material off his uniform and out of his hair", Dietrich growls grimly, glaring at the package of chewing gum as the culprit along with its accomplice, the American Private.

"Hans!", two children's voices shout at once, making the German Captain turn around. Without much choice, Hans Dietrich quickly gets distracted very efficiently by Ari and Kiri who put him in a tight embrace, when the young officer kneels to meet them. Heini looks incredulous at the scene unfolding in front of his eyes, when Hitch elbows him with his good arm and whispers conspiratorially: "Here, you go, buddy. Cap doesn't need to know." The German soldier stares at him without comprehending the words, but the small package of gum held out to him speaks clearly in itself. "Danke", the young man mutters, as he hesitantly reaches out to take the funny sweet stuff.

Hans Dietrich is far too distracted to notice any of this, as the lean officer has two young children clinging to him to deal with. "I like your hair like this", Ari tells the young German Captain, while he fondly ruffles through his black-died hair. "You really look like my brother now." The young German Captain is at a loss of words and ideas on how to reply to this. "You almost look like my little brother, just a lot more skinny than Davey's ever looked", Troy comments with a wide grin, as he repeats the boy's gesture of ruffling through the young officer's hair. As a reaction, Hans Dietrich glares at him venomously. "Keep your hands away from my head, Troy! I want no constructed connection with your insane family whatsoever. Go and annoy your own little brother!", the lean man growls, though he forces his tone to sound less aggressive for the sake of not scaring Ari and Kiri. "My little brother's a lot less amiable than you are, Captain. And that's in spite of you snarling and growling like an actual fennec fox", Troy counters with sarcasm. "Which is no reason for tormenting and harassing me", the younger man protests indignantly. "I'm not tormenting you, merely chatting with my friend", Troy counters.

The whole interaction feels like he has fallen through the looking glass to Private Heinz Heinrich who shakes his head in disbelief. Although he can barely understand the words, the actions and reactions are unbelievable enough. Why is his former Hauptmann tolerating the insolent American's behaviour? And why is the leader of the Rat Patrol so friendly to a German officer, in particular Hauptmann Dietrich who has captured the commando soldiers countless times? "Ich geh mal zu den anderen", the young soldier mutters to Hitchcock, pointing toward the other men of his unit and indicating walking, as he tries to communicate his intent. "Passt schon", Hitch replies, proud of his German. "Geh mal dort!" Heini is actually surprised, as he realizes that the Yankee can understand him, even though his own reply is not grammatically correct. "Du sprichst Deutsch?", he asks incredulously. "Hab ich von Cap und Doc gelernt", Mark replies with a grin, pointing at Dietrich and Moffit, his language teachers. "Danke für den Kaugummi", Heini tells him. "Kaugummi is chewing gum?", Hitch asks, grinning widely that he has finally learned the word both his German teachers have refused to tell him and Gotty has not known, as his grandfather has never mentioned it.

"Let Private Heinrich return to his unit, Hitchcock!", Dietrich finally admonishes sternly, when five minutes later he still finds the two young men chatting, although this is mainly due to the young American's initiative. The lean Captain has extracted himself from the children's grasp and sent them back to the sickbay where the nurses will look after them. Waving to his new friend, Heini says his goodbye and walks toward his unit, where the tall Captain is pointing him. "Hauptmann Dietrich", the young German suddenly stops and addresses the officer. "Ich... wollte mich noch bedanken, dass Sie uns hier rausgeholt haben. Die Amis hätten uns erschossen. Ich kenne die Ratten... Danke." The Wehrmacht soldier gives a sharp salute to his former commanding officer, before he finally turns to join his comrades. Hans is slightly dumbstruck to be thanked a second time for taking the men prisoners. "We're not killing them all, at least not all the time", Troy grumbles about what is nagging him, now that he is able to understand some basics of what is spoken in German. "Have you ever looked back, Sergeant? You usually leave nobody but the dead and the wounded in your wake", Dietrich counters with a growl. "We left you alive every time, maybe a bit roughed up, but pretty much alive", the American Sergeant complains.

"We've seen how much good this has done for me. Do you have any idea how many times I required to be treated in sickbay after you left?", the German Captain now snarls indignantly. "Don't you dare tell me that you have ever minded how many German soldiers you kill through your actions or bothered to think of capturing them alive rather than maiming and killing as many as possible!" "Fair enough", Troy growls back. "You've always been the odd one out, the guy who kept his word, once given, who'd negotiate and try to capture us alive, instead of just trying to kill us as quickly and efficiently as possible. That's why I've never intended to kill you, Captain." The German winces but looks honestly surprised to receive such a concise and unfiltered answer to his often posed question to which none of Troy's previous answers has satisfied him until now.

The American Sergeant meanwhile continues his rant, obviously not even trying to keep his emotions in check: "There are too few men like that out here without killing the few that stand by such principles. I actually realized today that this is really a better approach you've chosen with your thrice-cautious infiltration than the one I would've taken. It's maybe less action than usual, but we hardly were in any really tight situations and almost nobody died on either side. You got me convinced that this is worth thinking about, at least as a first approach." Dietrich gapes at him for a few seconds, before remembering how undignified this looks. That Troy would take a 180 degree turn and compliment him for the choice of a safer, better thought through strategy over their usual insanity although they have tried hard to sabotage him is astonishing for the young officer who even drops his previous anger on behalf of all the killed Germans.

"Are you still mad at me?", Troy inquires, when he realizes that no counter is forthcoming from the young Captain who stares at him in disbelief. "The only mad one around is you, Sergeant. But I honestly appreciate your change of mind. Hopefully, we will come to an agreement regarding joint strategies and how to deal with our enemies in the future", Hans replies cautiously. "I sure hope so, Captain Fox Kit", the American Sergeant replies with a grin, squeezing the younger man's shoulder gently. "I've hardly ever appreciated you as much as a CO as I did today. It really was a clever plan you've devised." "Thank you, Troy", comes the honest reply, both Troy and Hitch smile at. Gaining Dietrich as their CO has really been a win. "It wasn't mine alone", the young officer adds a bit more cautiously.

"Hello, Dietrich. How's my favourite Jerry officer doing?", Captain Brown declares jovially, as he joins the trio. "Brown", the young German says flatly, before his tone changes to a more amiable note. "I actually have to thank you for sending your men in with us, although it might even have worked without them as well, since Hauptmann Stadler is a very reasonable man, intent on not sacrificing his men unnecessarily." Then his expression turns into a dark glare, as he snarls: "However I don't appreciate being backstabbed like that. If you want to change a previously arranged strategy, speak with me directly!" Brown raises his hands defensively. "Calm down, young fellow! I didn't mean to backstab you. You don't have to hiss like a cut snake, Dietrich." "Your words and your actions don't coincide far too often for my taste, Brown!", the young German growls indignantly. "I definitely don't appreciate a man whose word I cannot trust." "I didn't lie to you", the Australian argues defensively. "What else would you call telling me one thing in the face, when you leave and act completely differently only minutes later?", Hans seethes, not bothering to hide his anger.

"What is going on here?", Captain Boggs interrupts them sternly, making all four men look toward him with various degrees of surprise. "We're trying to settle our differences here", Captain Brown replies calmly. "There is nothing to settle, Brown. You acted behind my back and against the previous arrangement without telling me mere minutes earlier", Dietrich growls indignantly. James Boggs looks rather surprised that neither Troy nor Hitchcock but the two Captains are the source of trouble here. "You're a bit tetchy and sensitive, Dietrich", Brown counters at which the young German narrows his eyes to glare at him venomously. "I've been sold out by my own side, tortured and sentenced to death. Forgive me for not being willing to trust somebody who has gone behind my back twice already, Brown!", the lean Captain hisses coldly, before turning on his heel and starting to stalk off.

"Captain Dietrich!", Boggs calls out and the proud young officer stops in his tracks. "Please, come to your senses! I can understand that you suffered through events unimaginable for us. But we are all allies now and need to stand together", the older American Captain argues calmly with his second in command. Dietrich studies him warily for a few seconds, before giving a weary sigh that stings slightly in his cracked ribs. "Forgive my tone, Captain Boggs!", the German states politely, keeping his tone carefully neutral and under control. Boggs smiles wryly. "Usually I would expect Sergeant Troy to be the one throwing a tantrum instead of providing a proper report." Dietrich blushes slightly at the admonishment that actually hurts his pride and dignity, while Troy glares at the American Captain. "When have I ever thrown a tantrum instead of reporting?", he growls angrily. "For example now, Sammy", Brown comments with a smirk.

"Captain Dietrich, come with me now and we will finish your report. If Captain Brown's presence will be a problem, we can do this separately", Boggs orders with a professional tone. The young German officer looks actually chagrined at his loss of control and speaks in a guarded manner: "That will not be necessary, Captain Boggs. I can provide my report immediately." It is quite obvious that he has shut down and withdrawn again which is a clear counterpoint to his previous open anger, but also hides any of his emotions and sentiments toward his former enemies again. This whole episode has not furthered Boggs' intention of gaining the younger man's trust who has pointed out with unprecedented directness and his usual honesty that he has little reason to trust anybody after what has happened to him. "Hitchcock, leave!", the American Captain orders sternly to which Hitch obeys immediately. Troy stares back at Boggs stubbornly, communicating quite clearly that he will not budge or leave, as he takes a step closer to the German Captain who eyes him a bit warily.

"I want a report of what has happened, gentlemen", James Boggs orders sternly, while Brown wisely stays in the background. Dietrich starts with the concise, yet suffciently detailed description of the approach on the caravanserai, their manner of entering and his negotiations with the German Hauptmann Stadler, resulting in the radio call to Jakob Silberblatt. At his prompt, Troy adds a much shorter and far less detailed report on what has happened in the storage depot and the courtyard. "I would recommend you to make Hauptmann Stadler the senior POW. On the one hand, he is an experienced officer who can keep the men under control. On the other hand, he really wants to survive this whole episode and this war and has no interest in needless heroics. He's not a Nazi, cursed the SS countless times in righteous anger and does not really want to die for a regime he does not even believe in, unlike the more fanatical followers of the Nationalsozialistische ideology", Dietrich recommends sternly, cautiously observing the reaction of the two Axis officers.

Both listen to his words and description intently and Boggs agrees immediately with his assessment and wish to place the man as senior POW instead of the troublesome Hauptmann Zornbrecht or the eccentric Lieutenant Marcello. "He will still be interrogated by Lieutenant Silberblatt and either the Major or the General, but if your assessment is correct which I personally don't doubt, I'm absolutely relieved to finally have such a good solution for the problem of the prisoners lacking a good and reliable senior POW officer", Boggs replies thoughtfully. "Thank you, Captain Boggs. This is all I'm asking of you", the younger man adds quietly. "What I'm asking of you is to get your injuries checked in our sickbay and the rest of the day off to calm down and relax a bit, Captain Dietrich", Boggs tells the lean German sternly who tenses visibly at the words and eyes him with a guarded look.

Dietrich is still behaving like a beaten dog sometimes, when his trauma and distrust are triggered, as Brown unintentionally has through his actions. But the older American Captain has no doubt of the German's reliability and honesty, his only worry is that the proud young officer's temper gets the better of him at the wrong time. However, taking the tormented young Captain off duty is not an option for various reasons, ranging from Boggs truly appreciating Hans Dietrich as a reliable and intelligent second in command, who complements some of his own skills well, to having no other German native speaker available who could bluff his way into German bases as believably as the former Wehrmacht Hauptmann. Also, Boggs truly believes that taking him off duty would only increase the proud young men's wariness and distrust against his former enemies and not serve his health and recovery as well as it should, as he would likely be driven by paranoia and not actually relax.

The younger man eyes his direct superior cautiously, wondering what he is thinking about, as he bites his tongue to not give another insolent reply which has already caused him enough troubles for a single day. Unexpectedly, Captain Brown steps toward him and holds out his hand, as he addresses the young German in a surprisingly calm and friendly tone: "I want to apologize to you, Captain Dietrich, for changing plans onesidedly without communicating the intention. I really didn't mean to backstab you, similarly to the last time we ended with such a misunderstanding. You're a smart young fellow and I actually like you, although you don't believe or trust me." Hans indeed eyes him warily. Since Captain Boggs has informed him on the competition between the Captains, he does not trust Brown fully whether he is not still trying to gain him and the Rats for his unit. Although Dietrich has nothing against working with the Australians, knowing and liking several among Brown's men, he does not like having a superior officer he cannot trust. This has ended far too badly for him the last time and memories of threats of being sent to the Eastern front for acts of insubordination also still linger in his mind. Nonetheless, he shakes Brown's offered hand, as denying such an apology out of stubbornness would go against his good breeding.

"Good to see that this is settled now", Boggs comments wearily, although the wary expression on the German Captain's face has not gone unnoticed. "Take your time off for the rest of the day and try to find some rest, Captain Dietrich. Your men may also take the afternoon and evening off." "Thanks, Captain", Troy replies before his wary young German CO. "Let's shake it, Captain Fox Kit, and get you checked up!" "Troy", Dietrich sighs wearily, as he pinches his nose. "You're in no way responsible for accompanying me to sickbay. I'm capable of making my way there on my own." "Yeah, but I should visit my brother, as you constantly keep reminding me", the American Sergeant continues his argument, as walks alongside the younger man, once the German officer has saluted to Boggs and Brown as a formal goodbye.

"Since when are you so eager to visit your brother?", Hans wants to know. "Since I want Davey's opinion of what he thinks of your hair and looking like our skinny little brother", Troy replies, knowing that it will annoy the proud young Captain who indeed glares at him immediately. "Have you completely lost your mind, Troy? You can't just randomly declare yourself someone's brother", Dietrich argues incredulously. "You did the same with Ari and Kiri", Troy counters. "They are children, desperate orphans who cannot really grasp the immensity of how their lives change through the loss of their parents and families. I'm a grown man with no need for such relationships. And I abhor the very notion of any such relation with you and your insane clan, Troy. Hell will freeze over, before I willingly agree to any such interaction with your brother, the only individual on this earth worse than you!", the German Captain argues vehemently.

Troy decides that pushing his friend too far in his current mood would not be wise. "Let's just settle for being friends then!", he offers, aiming for the next best thing. "Fine, Troy. I believe we have already agreed on this weeks ago, although the torment feels to have lasted a lot longer", Hans sighs wearily. "We only agreed on a probation, not actual friendship, but I'm all willing to make this final and official", Troy offers graciously. Dietrich looks actually defeated, as he drops his shoulders with a deep sigh that makes him wince, as his cracked ribs protest. "This wouldn't actually change much anymore, would it, Troy?" "I could finally call you with your first name", the American Sergeant announces happily. "Then, we'll stay with the probation, until ... I have somewhat come to terms with ... all this", the younger man argues somewhat desperately, uncharacteristically hesitant.

Looking at the German Captain's unguarded struggling and suffering expression, Troy decides to compromise: "Okay. Let's settle for ending the probation and calling this officially a friendship and I'll wait till you're finally ready to interact with your friends on a first name basis." "If ever", Hans mutters quietly, pushing the dark thoughts and tormenting memories that haunt him again since the last incident with Zornbrecht and the SS, which have now been called forth through the discussion with Brown, to the back of his mind. Troy gently pats the despondent young man on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I even promise you not to push you too much?" "Not too much?", Dietrich asks with dry irony, as he eyes the American Sergeant wearily. "Is this the same argument as in you giving me your word not to prank your officers regularly only to prank me on the very next morning?" Troy grins widely. "Good to see that you can summon your sense of humor again. You briefly had me worried." Then, he turns surprisingly serious. "I won't force you into anything you wouldn't want. But I might ask from time to time." "You mean twice daily?", the young officer asks dryly. "I thought more like once a week, but we can make this more often, if you want", Troy offers with a wide grin. "Please don't!", Hans replies quickly, already fearing for his nerves.

When they finally arrive at the sickbay, the German Captain is actually relieved to be saved from this awkward conversation. "First things first. You have your check up, I look for Davey and then we all meet again with you and your kids to get some lunch, before I truly have to worry about you keeling over from lack of food", Sam Troy declares with an honestly worried look directed at his younger friend. Nurse Regula spots the lean Captain first and approaches him with a friendly smile. "Ah, Herr Hauptmann. Gut Sie zu sehen. Den Kindern geht's gut. Sie spielen noch unterm Bett von David Troy." The German Captain blinks and asks himself if he just misunderstood something, when she tells him that the children are fine and playing under David Troy's bed. Sam Troy has stopped in his tracks, when hearing his brother's name and walks back to the German and the Swiss. "Unterm Bett?", Hans inquires incredulously. Regula smiles patiently at the young man, as she explains: "Aber klar. Sie haben da einen Stall für ihre Tontiere gebaut und handeln oder reden über Tiere, ich bin nicht ganz sicher." Dietrich smiles as well now, when he hears that they have built a stable for their clay animals and are haggling or chatting about animals. "Dann ist alles in Ordnung. Danke für Ihre Hilfe, Schwester Regula", he expresses his gratitude for her support, relieved that all is in order.

"Did she just say something about the kids and Davey's bed?", Sam Troy asks the young Captain incredulously. "They are playing under his bed and have built stables for their clay animals. You remember Ari's haggling game?" The American Sergeant grimaces painfully at the memory. "Yeah. I remember how you taught that boy to get me bankrupt in a mere hour. It was even worse than playing Poker." Hans smiles with honest amusement. "Then, I'd suggest that you don't get involved in Poker or haggling, Sergeant." "Definitely not against you, Captain Fox Kit", Troy assures him with a grin and a wink. "Would you mind terribly, leaving me alone with your nicknames, Troy?", Dietrich growls indignantly. "We agreed I wouldn't use your first name, before you agree to it, but we've never struck any change of the arrangement regarding your nicknames. You accepted that we may use the established ones", Troy argues and Dietrich merely buries his eyes in his left palm, trying to recover from his annoyance and desperation, before he will jump at the unnerving American's throat. He must have been mad, when he has agreed to all these things and even allowed Troy to end his friendship probation.

"I will accompany you to look at the situation, before receiving my checkup and physical therapy", Hans declares sternly, as he walks alongside Sam Troy. "I really appreciate your company, when it comes to visiting Davey. You're the best after Mum in keeping us from jumping at each other's throat." "A dubious privilege and compliment at best, Troy", the young German comments dryly, while the American Sergeant grins widely, patting his lean friend on his uninjured shoulder. "It's well-deserved nonetheless, Captain", he assures the younger man, as they step into the officer's ward and take in the scene.

Major Bracken lies on his bed with a grim expression that has not even been ligthened up by the cup of tea in his hand, while he pointedly looks away from the other cots and ignores the proceedings around him. David Troy lies on his cot, while Ari and Kiri sit in front of it with several shreds of cloth and clay animals laid out before them. They smile at the newcomers and jump up to greet their brother again. "Hey, how're you doin', Davey?", Sam Troy asks his brother, while Hans quietly speaks with his wards. "Fine, Sammy. I spent a wonderful day with Ari and Kiri. We sold animals and almost Major Bracken into slavery. It was brilliant", David Troy replies with the closest thing he can manage to a grin given his burnt lips, although he only dares to speak the last part quietly enough to not be heard by the British Major, since he wants to spend his afternoon with anything else than another tirade about how he is a disgrace for King George and his noble army. Damned British snobs...

"*You stay with Sam and David Troy, while I receive my treatment*", Hans tells the children at which both nod eagerly. "*We can sell them our new animals. Kiri and I have a looooot now*", Ari replies boisterously, spreading out his arms to express how many animals he has bought. "*And Kiri is good with animals, she knows all about them. We will be a great family*", he finishes his explanation and smiles at his sister who returns the smile. The German Captain's smile turns actually sad, when he considers that he might have to tear them apart to allow them to be taken in by different families. After patting their heads gently, he stands up and asks nurse Regula to help him with his medical check-up and physical therapy exercises which the nurse does with great delight. Helping the lean young man out of his German uniform, she directs his arm movements to check on the mobility. The former Hauptmann winces visibly at certain movements and when taking too deep a breath. Other than that and his countless bruises still causing him pain, her main worry is that the young man looks obviously underweight with the ribs clearly visible underneath his skin and has not improved this state in the least, even though his arm's mobility is clearly improving and rebuilding some wiry muscles happens slowly.

Meanwhile Kiri approaches the two Troy brothers with Ari. First, she whispers something to her fellow orphan, then listens intently to the Jewish boy who tells her a phrase which the Bedouin girl repeats a few times, until her young brother nods with a content expression. With her face set into a determined expression, the girl boldly steps up to Sam Troy who looks a bit bemused to be approached in such a manner. "I. like. you", Kiri speaks each word slowly with a concentrated expression on her face. The American Sergeant beams at her. "I like you too ... and you, Ari", he replies, baffled by the whole scene, but happy nonetheless, as he grins widely. These kids are adorable. He will never allow Moffit again to harass the Captain about taking them in.

While Dietrich is still diligently performing his physical exercises with nurse Regula, Doctor Andrews approaches him, observes the thin young man for a while with a concerned expression, before finally addressing the Captain quietly, as he takes a seat on a nearby cot. "I heard that you set up your German and your Australian helpers to watch over the Axis soldiers and Private Young. Thank you so much for your quick reaction and diligent work." The young officer looks a bit chagrined, as he murmurs: "I'm absolutely sorry that I cannot do more for you, Doctor Andrews, as I have neither the qualified men to spare for any investigation, nor any trace or idea regarding further culprits whatsoever. If you come across anything, Doctor, please don't hesitate to inform me!"

"You're doing more than I could have asked and surely more than any of our other officers would have done for us, as they consider it our job to treat their wounded and stay out of their way apart from that", Andrews explains gratefully. "You're our favourite officer for a good reason after all and that is not simply that the nurses consider a handsome young man quite attractive", he adds with a wink and almost roguish smile that takes Dietrich by surprise. Seeing the young officer open his mouth in protest, as his expression turns indignant, Doctor Andrews raises his hands defensively. "I'm absolutely assured of your honorability and respecting the boundaries of decency and propriety, as you're an officer and gentleman, Captain Dietrich. It's also something, we all like and respect you for." Nurse Regula smiles and winks at him. "Das ist absolut wahr, Herr Hauptmann. Ich weiß nicht, ob Schwester Arno es Ihnen jemals erzählt hat, aber ich war für einige Zeit schon recht verschossen in ihr hübsches Büebli, den sie sich da als Gschpusi angelacht hat, bis ich gsehn hab, dass Sie wirklich deutscher Offizier sind." Although he blushes a bit, the young Captain smiles wryly, as she confesses to him, how she has been rather jealous of nurse Arno's handsome young desert adventurer, until she has understood that he really is a German officer.

"You should put on a different shirt than one of a German uniform", Andrews remarks sternly, when he notices the jacket and shirt, Dietrich has left on the cot next to him. "How am I to get a fresh shirt without walking through the caravanserai like this which is surely even less dignified?", the young Captain asks incredulously. "You can have one of mine, Dietrich", David Troy offers who has been listening in, while watching the children driving his brother into bankrupcy. "It's not like I'll need it anytime soon", he adds with gallows humor. "Wrong army and wrong division", Dietrich mutters dryly. "But at least an Allied shirt and not an Axis one", Doctor Andrews comments contently. "I doubt it will fit me though", the lean German tries to protest. "Even your own shirt looks too baggy on you, 'cause you're so damn skinny!", Sam Troy grumbles with an accusatory tone, looking up from his game after losing his last sheep to Ari. "I'll not let you weasel your way out of getting a proper meal three times a day anytime soon." "Speaking of meals, we should get our lunch", Dietrich tries to change the topic. Immediately, Ari and Kiri jump up enthusiastically and Sam Troy follows rather quickly, while nurse Regula helps the young Captain into his right shirt sleeve of one of David Troy's shirts. After getting dressed, the tall officer crouches to fold his German uniform shirt and jacket diligently, before he picks both up to carry them with him.

When he follows Troy, Ari and Kiri out of the officer's ward, Doktor Sommer intercepts Hans Dietrich. "Geht es Ihnen besser, Herr Hauptmann?", the German medic inquires as he puts the lean young officer under scrutiny. "Danke, Ludwig. Deutlich besser als in den letzten Tagen", the young Captain replies with a friendly smile. Noticing Corporal Gottschlich chatting with Wolf Bauer and Istvan Nemet, Dietrich inquires with a scowl: "Ist Gottschlich schon länger da?" Doktor Sommer shakes her head. "Nein, er ist, glaube ich, erst vor ein paar Minuten gekommen." "Haben Sie irgendwelche Neuigkeiten hinsichtlich der Schlaftabletten?", Dietrich inquires about any news regarding the sleeping pills. Maybe the Germans have turned to him and he has not reported to Doctor Andrews yet. Ludwig Sommer shakes his head with a worried scowl. "Leider nicht, Herr Hauptmann, sonst hätte ich Doctor Andrews bereits Bescheid gegeben." "Nemet und Bauer halten ihre Augen offen", Dietrich informs him that Nemet and Bauer keep their eyes open for him, in case he has not heard of it yet from the duo or his Swiss colleagues. The Australians similarly have little to report on the case of the sleeping pills which at least includes that no bad news like their comrade's attempted suicide are reported either. Hans sighs wearily, but with some relief that things are not escalating too badly.

Relieved to finally leave the field hospital, Dietrich leads his entourage to the mess tent where they meet Tully and Moffit again, as well as Hitch and Fritz, the last of whom is besieging the food dispense station. The children provide the relief to the soldiers by effectively breaking the little dog's siege through petting and cuddling him, while Troy and Dietrich turn toward their fellow unit members. "Have you joined the Royal Army after all, Captain?", Moffit inquires with a grin, once he recognizes their CO's shirt. "I have to admit that this is a most reasonable decision, as you fit far better among civilised Europeans than uncouth Yankees." "Moffit", Dietrich groans with a suffering tone, while Troy growls in annoyance: "Watchit, Jack! He's still one of us." The British Sergeant is unperturbed, as he replies with dry humor: "Ah, so the Troy brothers have adopted you now. I had no idea this has progressed as far as sharing their shirts."

The German Captain pales slightly, before narrowing his eyes and growling: "I've already led this discussion with Sergeant Troy and this is not an option in my lifetime. Doctor Andrews merely forbid me to continue wearing a German uniform on the premises." Sam Troy is highly amused, as he adds: "Well. All of us still wear the Jerry stuff, so it wouldn't have been a problem." "I doubt your brother would have had enough shirts to offer to outfit all of us", Hans comments dryly. "Yeah. He wouldn't have offered it to any of us either. Davey's really a selfish bastard most of the time. He really likes you though." "Whatever did I do to deserve this?", the young German Captain mutters sarcastically. "You've advocated for a desperate man bound to his sickbed for whom you have more empathy than most", Jack Moffit answers his rhetorical question unexpectedly. "You're undoubtedly deserving of his gratitude."

Dietrich decides to end this senseless discussion by acquiring lunch for himself and the children for which Troy and Pettigrew join him to help carrying the trays with food. Ari and Kiri quickly jump up from the ground and Fritz follows them enthusiatically, once he notices the trays which promise further food for him. "Gentlemen, Captain Boggs has given all of us the afternoon and evening off, so you are free to spend it at your liberty within reasonable bounds", Dietrich declares formally, once he has taken a seat and both his wards have settled down next to him. "I doubt your idea of reasonable bounds and our ideas of reasonable bounds are the same, but I have nothing else to complain about", Troy adds with a grin. "I cannot tell you how much I will enjoy spending half a day without you, Troy", the German Captain counters acerbically. "Have you forgotten that we have to report to that lousy Major and you promised to accompany me?", Troy inquires, still smiling sarcastically.

Dietrich pinches his nose and sighs in exasperation. "Not in the least. Although I'm starting to look forward to seeing you receive your well-deserved lecture on modesty and proper behaviour." "Browny's right. You're really tetchy at the moment, Captain", Troy comments without dropping his grin. "I don't force you in the least to have to suffer my presence, Sergeant. I can even offer you to move back to a tent of our own to liberate you of this source of annoyance", the younger officer counters silkily with sarcasm clearly laced into his words. "Now, hold your horses, Captain! I didn't mean it like that. We surely won't kick you and the kids out. We all really like them and you're not such a bad company to have around either", Troy tries to rein the proud young Captain in again. "Not such a bad company? Compared to your brother or your usual bad company?", Dietrich inquires with a sardonic smile playing around his lips. "Jerry smartass", Troy grumbles but keeps smiling.

"If we have the afternoon off, would you mind terribly to let me join Professor Stevenson and the archaeology students in looking for the old digsite, Captain?", Jack addresses the young German officer who looks a bit baffled by the request, but finally shakes his head. "Don't let me keep you from following your scholarly vocation, Moffit!", Hans replies wryly. "At least someone is going to have a pleasant afternoon. I might even come to visit you, as I promised Ari to ride out with him on the horse." Moffit actually smiles at him with honest joy to have found someone sharing his interest in archaeology even for a tiny bit. "You're always welcome to come and visit." "I doubt the British students whose friend I shot will share your enthusiasm", the younger man counters flatly. "You saved their lives from a man struck with rabies who might have seriously hurt or killed them in his demented state of mind", Jack argues vehemently. "They're afraid of me nonetheless", Hans holds against this statement. "They don't fear you half as much as Troy. He's like the Anti-Christ stepping right into their midst", the British scholar argues with dry humor. "Heathen cultists, the whole lot of them. How dare they call me an Anti-Christ!", Troy actually fumes now. "You can be quite diabolic in your rage, Sergeant", Dietrich comments dryly, as he takes the first bite of his meal.

"Do you think a walk around the caravanserai fortifications might be romantic for Lisa?", Hitch asks his friends for their opinion. "Only if she considers military structures particularly romantic", Hans Dietrich comments dryly. "A mysterious digsite hiding the unknown mysteries of ancient civiliastions is truly romantic", Jack Moffit offers as an alternative. "Lisa's a wildcat, but she's no heathen cultist like those British brats", Troy seethes. "Try to behave yourself, Troy!", Dietrich admonishes "Maybe you wanna ride a camel with her. Cap's desert kids have some", Tully offers. Hitch smiles widely at him, as he pats his friend on the shoulder. "That's a brilliant idea. This will be truly romantic. I'll have to choose the right love sonnett. Maybe Jakob can help me...", the Private mutters starry eyed. "Just don't intervene!", Dietrich warns with a harsh growl, when he sees Troy's indignant expression and the Sergeant about to protest. The American briefly looks the German in the eyes, until he can make out something intense in the young Captain's gaze that actually makes him stop.

After lunch, the group separates. Moffit intends to brew up some tea, before his archaeology mission, while Tully mutters about cards and debts, before disappearing rather quietly. Troy grumbles about Hitch possibly needing his support, once Dietrich has excused himself with looking after the children who he intends to send back to the nurses to receive some rest for the afternoon, before he will have to accompany Troy to Major Turner. Feeling the bone deep weariness and exhaustion after the turbulent last weeks, Hans considers that taking some time to rest is actually well-deserved. Adopting the manner he has already kept in his German camps for spending a few hours of leisure in the middle of the desert, he unbuttons the topmost buttons of his shirt, keeping enough of them closed to not appear completely indecent.

After laying out a blanket to not get all sandy, the lean officer stretches out leisurely and closes his eyes, only to be awoken less than a minute later by a weight dropping onto his chest. Wincing and barely suppressing a groan of pain, he snaps his eyes open again, only to find himself looking into Kiri's dark eyes. "*What are you doing, Ioannes?*", the Bedouin girl wants to know, while she half-leans onto his chest. "*Resting*", he replies flatly. Kiri creases her brows, as she thinks about this, then asks: "*Mama also said resting after lunch is good. Can I join you?*" Dietrich grimaces painfully at the mention of her mother as well as the weight pressing onto his cracked ribs. "*Of course, you may join me. But please not like this. It hurts, when you press on my chest*", he tells her gently.

The girl looks a bit chagrined to have hurt her caregiver and sits up again. "*Is it better?*", she asks shyly. Hans smiles gently, as he mutters: "*Yes. Thank you*" "*Can I lean my head on you? I don't want sand in my hair?*", Kiri inquires a bit shyly. "*You can get a blanket of your own. I'll fetch it for you*", the young German Captain offers as a neutral solution. The Bedouin girl frowns. "*I like to feel a person. Then I know I'm not alone ... like in the night... in the tent with the bad men.*" She shudders slightly at the memories and Dietrich immediately feels guilty for pushing her off. "*You can lean your head on my stomach or good arm*", he offers gently. Kiri's smile returns to her face, as she squeaks: "*Thank you!*" Then she lies down next to him, resting her head on his outstretched arm. This will be a painful position on the long term, but Hans does not intend to lie here for so long.

"Es kann der Frömmste nicht in Frieden ruhen", the Captain mutters quietly to himself that there is no rest for the wicked, when no more than another minute later another weight drops onto his stomach. "Ari", he mutters a bit groggily. "I want to be with you as well, Hans", the boy mumbles, while pressing his face into the young man's shirt. "Fine", the German officer sighs wearily, almost giving up on his peace and quiet completely. "Love you", the young orphan mutters wrapping his arm around his lean brother's waist who closes his eyes and tries to keep his feelings of guilt under control, as he drifts off to a dozing sleep