Moving On

June 1947

Troy was once again in Germany, this time with a contingent of officers who had just spent time in Greece where civil war had broken out. Troy's knowledge of the language, while not fluent, provided great assistance to the team. Royalist forces had the support of Anglo-Americans who were fighting against the communist led forces of the Soviet Union. His team was assessing the situation for Washington and recommending military and economic assistance for Greece. Since the Soviet Union had broken the Allied relationship even before the end of the war, there was concern communism would spread throughout Europe and into the Middle East.

He was sitting in the same bar where he used to meet with Dietrich, only this time he was waiting for Moffitt. He wasn't quite sure why Moffitt was in Germany, having received a message from his friend to meet him at this specific location at a designated day and time. Looking up, he saw the tall, lanky, Englishman approaching the table. He was somewhat surprised to him in uniform.

"Captain Moffitt," Troy greeted him with a smirk.

"Captain Troy," Moffitt replied with a grin.

"But I'm still in active service. What have they got you doing?" Troy asked.

"You first," Moffitt suggested, "while I have a stiff drink. I need fortification." He settled in with a double whiskey while Troy brought him up to date with the situation in Greece.

"So, what have you been up to?" Troy prompted.

"Something I could have gone to the grave without knowing," Moffitt finished his drink and paused, trying to decide how to phrase his mission. "Sometimes I wish I didn't speak German. I think that's the main reason I was given this task—that, and no one else wanted to do it. I have been investigating deplorable actions of Allied soldiers, particularly during the last months of the war," He ordered a second drink.

"What does that mean?" Troy was afraid he knew the answer and wasn't quite ready to face what he was about to hear.

"I suppose one expects this behavior from men who sent millions of innocent people into gas chambers and starved untold numbers in concentration camps. However, I never thought it would reach the proportions I've discovered. I've been interviewing women who were raped, sometimes repeatedly by German soldiers throughout the war. It's estimated there are tens of thousands of them, considering so many didn't report their attacks. Many ended up committing suicide afterwards." He took a long drink of whiskey.

"That was bad enough, but I'm ashamed to say the abuse of innocent women was also rampant among the Allied troops as well. Not near the extent of the Germans, but the numbers are quite distressing as well. It's hard to accept that your fellow countrymen and Allies could behave in such a criminal and immoral manner. The stories have been horrific, and I have to make a report to High Command," Moffitt downed his drink.

"I'm sure there were incidents while we were in North Africa, but we spent so much time in the desert, we didn't witness much, if any, of such actions. When we were on base, I know the women had to put up with leers and suggestive comments, but I can't recall any personal attacks except when Isla took down that Corporal. I think her legendary baseball bat put the fear of God into those who might try something." Troy was aghast at Moffitt's report.

"Arming the female staff with baseball bats helped, I'm sure," Moffitt said dryly. "All this has affected me, deeply. I just want to get back home to Pippa. I would much rather be sent on an undercover "cloak and dagger" mission than have to face all these emotionally wounded victims and hear the stories of their abuse."

"The aftereffects of war seem to go on forever." Troy commented. "I don't think the Allied position in dealing with Germany is very helpful either. Do you know that at times even the Red Cross is not allowed to bring aid to certain areas? Or it they are given permission to bring in medical assistance, they are forbidden to bring in food. I don't see where starving a nation is going to help, in spite of what they may have done during the war. By punishing the Nazis, they're also punishing a lot of children and adults who wanted nothing to do with Hitler."

"The innocents always have to pay the price for the guilty," Moffitt said sadly. "Where do you go from here?"

"Heading back to Washington for the time being. The Russians are giving us trouble and its only going to get worse," Troy answered.

"Do you regret staying in the Army?" Moffitt asked.

"No, it's different than being in a war zone where we had to make things up as we went along. I kind of miss the excitement and coming up with different strategies to carry out a mission, even if they were a bit crazy," Troy explained.

"No one does crazy like you, Troy," Moffitt interrupted with a wry smile.

"Thanks," Troy deadpanned. "In spite of all that, I don't wish for another war and the suffering it brings, however I'm not confident of our ability to maintain peace for long. There are a number of hotspots that only need a spark to set them off."

"I know what you mean. I thought I'd return home after the war and go back to my contemplative, quiet, life only to discover I can never return to those days again. I've changed too much, the world has changed too much. But I found Pippa, and she centers me and our life together, Moffitt added.

"You're a very lucky man, Jack," Troy commented.

"I know," Moffitt agreed. "So, I guess the next time I see you will be at Hitch and Isla's wedding."

"I'm planning on it. Hitch asked me to be the best man," Troy said.

"When you remember all he put us through with his skirt-chasing during the war, it's hard to think of the lad settling down," Moffitt remarked.

"Isla will keep him in line," Troy replied. "She might occasionally have to get out that Louisville Slugger of hers, but she'll keep him in line."

"And Tully will soon be a father. I guess we are moving on," Moffitt stated.

"In spite of everything the world throws at us," Troy nodded.