"Aiuto!", a panicked shout for help wakes Hans Dietrich from sleep rather suddenly. Cries of "Serpente" and "Vipera" sound through the field hospital and reach the German and Italian officer who both exchange a worried glance. "Aiutami ad alzarmi e sostienimi a camminare", the young Hauptmann tells his fellow Axis officer with urgency in his tone. Surprisingly compliant, Alessandro Marcello helps the tall Captain to his feet and supports him by letting him lean onto his good left shoulder, as the lean man limps toward their soldiers' section of the hospital. While he is still trying to get an overview, Doctor Rothschild approaches Dietrich with a worried tone: "Thank God you're here, Hauptmann Dietrich. What do they say?" "They call for help. And some shout 'snake' and 'viper'", the young German officer replies with a worried tone, as his eyes scan the ground, alert at the danger that might lurk for any of them.
"Per qui!", one of the Italian soldiers shouts with clear panic in his voice and Dietrich's head snaps in the direction, as he points for the sake the Americans: "Over there. Watch out!" One of the Yankee guards who has been stalking between the Italians' beds warily cries out in pain, while another draws his combat knife, runs to him and thrusts the weapon toward something near the ground at his comrade's leg. "Gotcha, you damn critter!", the American cries triumphantly. "We need to help this man! Nurses. Prepare an antivenom!", Doctor Rothschild calls his personnel together. When they see nurse Olson appear from behind a view screen, both Marcello and Dietrich pale slightly. As the stocky blond valkyrie starts to march in their direction, Hans decides that it is the right time for a tactical retreat. This also serves his own health doubly, as he can feel his right leg shaking precariously, since it does not take the strain too well. "Noi ci ritiriamo, Tenente", the German Captain orders and the Italian Lieutenant does not need to be told twice, as he truly fears the fierce nurse since the previous day. "Idea geniale, Capitano Volpacchiotto." The young German officer is too worried about the whole situation to care about the inappropriate application of the absurd nickname the Italian has created for him. Escaping the mad nurse undetected takes priority. She has not even noticed or acknowledged that they are not from her own side on the previous day which Dietrich blames on her concussion, but still considers a reasonfor worrying.
Alessandro Marcello helps his new friend to sit down on his cot, before quickly fleeing to his own and ducking his head under the blanket, while he silently mutters the Lord's prayer to protect him from this evil. Luckily for the two officers, the emergency seems to distract the rough-edged nurse enough to not follow them to the officer's ward. Relieved that his prayers have had a positive effect Marcello thanks the Lord through starting to sing a church hymn, once he is assured of his salvation. Hans meanwhile is torn between being relieved to have escaped the pert nurse Olson and wishing for her presence to keep the Italian singer quiet and at bay.
When Doctor Rothschild enters their officer's ward a few minutes later, Dietrich asks with a worried tone: "How is the man who was bitten?" The Jewish medic briefly looks at the German Captain and wonders why he would inquire about one of his enemies, before he reminds himself that the young man has shown enough basic decency and empathy to care whether a human being dies or not, independent of being an enemy officer, as this is not a combat situation after all. "The one who was bitten in the foot will survive, the other who killed the snake and was bitten in the hand also will make it. Thank you for the warning, Hauptmann Dietrich." The American Doctor puts the lean young officer under scrutiny, when Dietrich nods in reply. On the one hand the German has been able to walk the few steps leaning on his fellow Axis officer's shoulder, on the other hand he still looks haggard and exhausted by the ordeal. "I will check on your injury and then help you to the facilities, after you translated for your companion here again." Hans nods in agreement, as Rothschild turns to Marcello who tries his best winning stage actor smile that irritates the American medic. "How is your shoulder, Lieutenant?", Doctor Rothschild inquires sternly. "Fa ancora un po' male quando canto", the Italian Lieutenant replies, pointing at his shoulder and imitating the lip movements of singing. "It still hurts a bit, when he sings", Dietrich translates for the Doctor who nods. "Don't overdo it! No sudden movements or the stitches might tear. The same goes for you, Hauptmann Dietrich", Rothschild advises sternly. Marcello nods with his smile in place, as does the German Captain who bears a more serious expression nonetheless.
After applying a fresh bandage to the Italian's shoulder, the American medic returns to his second patient who looks a bit less anxious than on the previous days, since he can wear some underwear during the procedure. The young officer observes the check of the sutures with an intent gaze, muttering: "Is there still a risk of infection, Doctor Rothschild?" The American Doctor shakes his head. "Unless you tear it open again, you should be fine and save from all trouble, at least until you're transferred. That you're alive is actually a small miracle, as I would have thought you'd die on our table, when they brought you in on the first day, drenched in blood and barely clinging to your last thread of life. Don't waste this chance for a new life, Hauptmann!" Dietrich blinks in slight surprise at the unexpected admonishment through the enemy medic which could have been identical coming from his long term Stabsarzt Ludwig Sommer. Rothschild has not expected an answer, as he immediately stands up and holds out a hand to help the younger man to his feet.
Hans weighs pride against necessity, as he decides to exaggerate his need for support a bit and lean more heavily on the American's shoulder than he would actually require. In this manner he can preserve his strength and leave his enemies with the impression that he is weaker and more gravely injured than he actually is. Feeling the German Captain's need for support and still imminent weakness, Rothschild decides against placing an extra guard with the enemy officer and his Italian compatriot whom he has declared rather harmless and not a serious soldier, just as Dietrich has. By the time they return, the young Captain is relieved to get a chance to sit back down on his field bed again, as walking and standing is still taxing for him.
The lean German officer smiles, when he recognizes the familiar face of nurse Falkowsky bringing their breakfast a short while later. "Good morning, Lieutenant Falkowsky", he greets the young black-haired woman who smiles at him, while Marcello pipes in a greeting for his greatest fan in camp: "Buon giorno, donna meravigliosa." "Do you have any more Opera stories?", the young nurse ask conspiratorially. "Si, bellissima ragazza", Marcello replies immediately enthusiastically, before Hans Dietrich can even open his mouth to provide a polite excuse. "Conosci la storia di Nabucco?", the Italian Lieutenant inquires and the American nurse focuses her pleading stare on the German Captain again. Sighing wearily, as he resigns to his fate, Hans Dietrich translates: "He wants to know if you know the story of Nabucco. Nabucco is the Italian name. I know the historical figure as King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon." The American nurse looks truly impressed, as she replies: "I have never heard of him. I only ever heard of Babylon in our bible lessons." With an enthusiastic tone, she adds: "Please tell me more!"
Alessandro Marcello is back in his element of providing entertainment and captivating his audience, as he starts his recount: "La storia inizia a Gerusalemme, dove gli israeliti sono minacciati dall'esercito assiro guidato dal re Nabucco. Il sommo sacerdote ebreo Zaccaria tiene in ostaggio la figlia di Nabucco, Fenena, sperando di usarla come leva. Tuttavia, Ismaele, un israelita che ama Fenena, la libera, portando Nabucco a ordinare la distruzione del tempio di Salomone." Dietrich translates diligently, interested in the details of the plot himself by now: "The story starts in Jerusalem, where the Israelites are under threat from the Assyrian army led by King Nabucco. The Jewish high priest Zaccaria holds Nabucco's daughter, Fenena, hostage, hoping to use her as leverage. However, Ismaele, an Israelite who loves Fenena, frees her, leading to Nabucco ordering the destruction of Solomon's temple." The nurse puts her hands in front of her mouth, looking slightly horrified, while the Italian Lieutenant nods with a grave expression, before he continues.
"A Babilonia, l'altra figlia di Nabucco, Abigaille, scopre di non essere la figlia biologica del re ma la figlia di schiavi. Alimentata dalla gelosia e dall'ambizione, complotta per impadronirsi del trono. Circola una falsa voce sulla morte di Nabucco e Abigaille si prepara a reclamare la corona." Marcello puts on a stern expression, as he tells the tale of Verdi's Opera's plot with a grave voice. Hans Dietrich sighs wearily at the in his eyes exaggerated drama, before providing his translation: "In Babylon, Nabucco's other daughter, Abigaille, discovers that she is not the king's biological daughter but the child of slaves. Fueled by jealousy and ambition, she plots to seize the throne. A false rumor of Nabucco's death circulates, and Abigaille prepares to claim the crown." "How could she do that after being treated like a princess and taken in by a king?", nurse Falkowsky asks with clear emotion in her voice, as she hears about the betrayal. The German Captain shrugs a bit nonchalantly, as he answers dryly: "The logic of Italian Opera plots is better not to be questioned." Mary Falkowsky smiles at the young Hauptmann and his dry sense of humor. The combination of the two enemy officers turns out to be her best source of entertainment in months.
"Nabucco entra proprio mentre Abigaille sta per essere incoronata e si dichiara non solo re ma anche dio. Questa bestemmia lo porta a essere colpito da un fulmine e a impazzire. Abigaille sfrutta questa opportunità per prendere la corona e diventare il sovrano", Marcello continues his dramatic recount. "Nabucco enters just as Abigaille is about to be crowned and declares himself not only king but also a god. This blasphemy results in him being struck by lightning and driven mad. Abigaille uses this opportunity to take the crown and become the ruler", the Hauptmann translates, sparing himself the dramatic expressions and gestures. "Oh no", the American nurse mutters quietly. "It's not over yet", Hans Dietrich reassures her, familiar with the Opera in general, although not to the last detail. "Nabucco, ormai pazzo, lamenta la sua sorte. Prega il Dio di Israele per il perdono, riacquista la sanità mentale e si precipita a fermare l'esecuzione degli israeliti, inclusa Fenena, che si è convertita alla loro fede. Nabucco rovescia Abigaille, che si toglie la vita, e libera gli israeliti, dichiarando il suo ritrovato rispetto per il loro Dio", Marcello finishes his plot recount, smiling widely.
"Nabucco, now insane, laments his fate. He prays to the God of Israel for forgiveness, regains his sanity, and rushes to stop the execution of the Israelites, including Fenena, who has converted to their faith. Nabucco overthrows Abigaille, who takes her own life. Then, he frees the Israelites, declaring his newfound respect for their God", the German Captain provides the translation of the last act of the Opera, making their grateful audience smile happily. "Finally a happy end." "Indeed", the Hauptmann agrees, but his mind whirls. Luckily, no other German officer has been captured with them, as he might find himself accused of treason for translating the pro-Jewish plot and fraternization with the enemy for all his actions, even if they are intended to keep his enemies unaware of his intentions to flee.
"Canterò per te la canzone più bella di tutta l'opera", Alessandro Marcello declares proudly, before he starts to sing with the booming voice of a trained Opera singer: "Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate." To the nurse's and Dietrich's bafflement, several of the Italian soldiers join the song immediately. "va, ti posa sui clivi, sui colli,
ove olezzano tepide e molli
l'aure dolci del suolo natal!"
Hans remembers to have heard that this song almost holds the position of Italy's unofficial national anthem in the hearts of Verdi's countrymen. Hearing the song the thoughts of the captives flying back to their native land and longing for freedom makes a cold grip clench around his heart. Are they not in a similar position now, captives of their enemies, longing for their freedom? The Italians appear to share exactly that sentiment, as the whole tent resounds with their voices, some hoarse, some as far away from striking the right note as Troy and his Rat Patrol are from being the naive, inexperienced young Yankee soldiers the German high command has wanted to make Hans Dietrich believe he would be pitted up against. But all of them sing with true passion.
The sirens of an alarm put a premature end to the song, as an eerie silence falls over the tent apart from the ear splitting noise. Nurse Falkowsky jumps up and runs away with a brief apology on her lips, while Dietrich tries to hide how eager he is to use this chance to escape. "Vestirsi, Tenente!", he tells the Italian Lieutenant to get dressed to grab their chance of an escape. The Hauptmann himself puts on the shirt which nurse Falkowsky has provided him with on the previous day, before struggling to get his injured leg into the trousers she has left on the chair for him. Unlike the German, Alessandro Marcello has not thought ahead to ask for a shirt or some clothing. But the Hauptmann has an idea how to solve that problem and also the next one standing between them and their escape. Leaning on the Italian Lieutenant's left shoulder for support to not overuse his strength, Hans cautiously peeks into the main tent with the wounded Axis soldiers.
A single guard keeps his post at the entrance of the tent looking quite nervous, while the others apparently have been called off for helping with the emergency or taken out by the snake which has served as their unwittig ally in their escape. "Chiamerò la guardia. Copriti con la coperta e gioca a fare il paziente morente", Hans Dietrich informs the Italian Lieutenant of his plan. Marcello smiles and nods. Mimicking the dying patient is an appropriate role for him to play in their escape. "Guard, help! He's suffering from a stroke", the German Captain calls out in English, trying to sound truly distressed which is not hard for him to imitate in his current situation. Covered under the blanket to hide his clothing, the Italian Lieutenant gives such an excellent show of a man suffering from a stroke that Dietrich would have fallen for it himself, if he would not have initiated the ruse.
As the American soldier storms past the German officer hidden behind the view screen and stops short before the Italian Lieutenant's bed, the Hauptmann strikes him down with the coffee pot from his breakfast service. Luckily, he has been less picky than Marcello and the Americans make their equipment from steel. After the second knock over the head, the American stays downed, unconscious. "Prendi le sue armi!", Dietrich orders the Italian Lieutenant to take the weapons and adds to take off the man's boots in addition to his shirt and jacket. "Prendi gli stivali, la camicia e la giacca!" The German Captain has put the man under scrutiny, estimating that the Yankee looks about his size and thus his clothes should also fit Marcello easily. However, Hans can only hope that the boots will be large enough to fit him, as he has little other options for acquiring some footwear, since his own boots have been destroyed, when the medics have had to cut them off his feet before the emergency surgery. Alessandro Marcello looks briefly baffled by the order, before he notices that the tall Hauptmann is still barefoot.
Marcello struggles with putting on the American's shirt, until the German Captain helps him into the shirt over the bandages, as his injured shoulder and arm impair the man still. Then the lean officer sits down on the neighbouring bed of the Italian Lieutenant and tries out the first boot on his uninjured leg's foot which fits well enough, to his great relief. Next Hans picks up the second shoe and struggles into it, as soon as he is assured of the moderate fit sufficient for fleeing for some hours. Once dressed to be able to get out of here, the Hauptmann nods to Marcello who helps him get to his feet. "Dobbiamo legarlo e imbavagliarlo", Dietrich tells the other officer that they need to tie up and gag the soldier. "Aiutami a sollevarlo sul letto!" As requested, Marcello helps the tall German to heave the unconscious guard onto the bed, where they tie him up with his own belt and gag him with some bandages. Content that no alarm should be called too soon, Hans leans onto his ally for support, since he can feel his leg starting to ache from the strain and knows that he must conserve his strength. "Controlla i tuoi uomini e prepara quelli abbastanza in forma per fuggire", the German Captain tells his fellow Axis officer to summon his injured men who are fit enough to flee and get them going, as Alessandro Marcello supports the taller Hauptmann. The Italian Lieutenant for once silently complies with his orders, while Hans cautiously makes his way to the medical cabinet to check whether some useful medication for their escape could be found, as he leans against the tables for support. Two bottles with morphine and a kit with a syringe and spare needles are his reward for the effort, as well as a pen light, which he considers of general utility value. In addition the young officer of the Axis picks up a stethoscope in case they will have to check on their men's health during their flight.
Meanwhile, Tenente Marcello has managed to get ten of his men out of their beds who are fit enough and able to try their escape with them. All of them are discontent that they will have to leave the rest in Allied captivity, but there really is no other option, as they do not wish the men to die with certainty. The Italian Lieutenant comes over to support his German senior officer who looks not quite stable, as he leans against a table with medical equipment. When the Hauptmann shows his loot to the Italian Lieutenant, his eyes fall on a Doctor's coat which he quickly dons to improve his disguise. The looted medical equipment he puts into the cost pockets, finally relieved of the extra burden and freeing his hands. Only the stethoscope he wears around the neck to cover his motley, loosely fitting uniform pieces and make the ruse more believable. "Sembri un vero dottore, Dottore Volpacchiotto", Alessandro Marcello comments with a smile. "Finché gli Yankees ci credono, siamo al sicuro", Dietrich replies dryly that they will be safe as long as the Yankees believe that as well. "Lo faranno. Hai un vero talento come attore, amico mio", the Italian Lieutenant compliments his new German friend that he has actual talent as an actor and they will believe him.
Two of Marcello's less injured men have taken the gun and combat knife of the American soldier, the Tenente has confiscated from him before, which is the better option than equipping the two wounded officers of whom one cannot use his right arm and the other needs his arms to support himself to free his leg from strain. While Dietrich limps through the tent, leaning on Marcello for support again, they hear shouts and further commotion outside, indicating that the medical personnel will be kept busy for a while. As further chaos unfolds in the camp, Hans Dietrich muses that this is the moment he has been waiting for. Finally, they can attempt their escape. "Sull'ali dorate ... auf goldenen Flügeln", he mutters quietly to himself, hoping that their escape will end well as the plot of Nabucco ends for the captured and enslaved Jews.