As the final guard on night watch, Hitch enjoys the first light of day heralding the end of his shift approaching. Wonderful, since he is looking forward to breakfast and some hot coffee to warm him after the chilly early November night. The day however promises to become a very strange day indeed. The Sarge has briefed them yesterday that he intends to help Captain Dietrich get his men out from under SS command and have them surrender to the Allies as the price for his cooperation. Chewing and blowing a bubble, Mark considers some things that have struck him as rather odd, but he knows better than arguing with Sarge. Why it is not the Allies asking for the Germans' surrender but the other way around? The intricate details of military bluffs and maneuvers are actually none of his concern as a mere Private which is just the way he likes things to be. Their Jeep attacks are also just the way he likes to fight a war. Their hit-and-run strategy involves them in small fights, rather than big battles where anything can happen and a man's skill might not aid his survival as much as pure luck. In these small fights they have crossed blades with many Jerry soldiers and officers, but with none of them as frequently as with the man lying a few feet to the left of him, asleep or unconscious, wrapped in more than one blanket. Hitch shudders slightly at the sight of the bruises marring the German Captain's face almost beyond recognition. That he should be a few months younger than Mark himself would usually appear unbelievable. But half-starved, beaten blank and blue and wrapped in several blankets that hide his uniform, the Hauptmann looks less imposing than usual and maybe a bit young. In spite of having gotten to know Dietrich as a wily desert fox, Mark has also always appreciated him as fair and absolutely not cruel or sadistic when dealing with his enemies, staying true to his word of honor whenever he has given it. As a mere Private Hitch is wary of officers even from his own army, as their brass have put him and Tully through enough chicken shit, admittedly oftentimes well deserved for their pranks and other stunts. Nonetheless, the young German Captain has always been fairer than most officers Mark Hitchcock has interacted with, even when the stern Jerry has been dealing with a low-ranking soldier like himself whom he could have treated with less respect than the two Sergeants, especially considering that Hitch is from his worst enemy unit, the Rat Patrol.
Their interaction with the Jewish boy yesterday and the fact that the man has kept Fritz, the dog which has captured Mark's heart immediately and honestly likes the German officer, as well as some of the stuff he has rather unwillingly overheard from Moffit's reading from the Hauptmann's military file have changed his perspective on the stern Captain somewhat. Before yesterday's events, Hitch has considered Dietrich as something like the Sarge's pet Jerry officer, crossing blades with them, but not really aiming to kill rather than capture them for whichever reason or notion of honor. This has turned into a kind of unspoken agreement that they would not actively try and kill him either, often leaving him as the last man standing because of that attitude. That Dietrich would actually not just temporarily collaborate with them under truce or force them to cooperation at gun point, but might defect is still a strange concept, but one Hitch can accept, just as he has always accepted Troy's strange sympathy for the German Captain.
The man he is thinking about is stirring in his sleep, as Fritz beside him wakes up and stretches without caring that he leans into his master's bruised side and partially cracked ribs. With a pained groan, Hans Dietrich awakes and starts scolding Fritz in German with a quiet voice before he is even awake enough to be fully aware of his surroundings: "Fritz, du Tölpel! Böser Hund." Hitch looks up immediately and frowns, as he does not understand the words, but sees the dog sitting in front of the Captain with drooped ears and sad puppy eyes. The commotion is loud enough to wake the rest of the camp except for Ari who finally catches up on his sleep after his late night games on the sugar overdose. "What's going on?", Troy demands loudly. Silence is the only answer he receives, as everyone including Dietrich looks around nervously trying to discern an actual lurking danger. "Just the Captain and the dog, Sarge", Hitch finally answers, once assured that nothing worse is in store for them. Hans Dietrich at least has the decency to look slightly embarrassed, as all eyes are turned on him and mutters something beneath his breath which the Rats do not catch, but which sounds actually apologetic.
The early morning light seems to exaggerate the effect of the dark bruises on the German's haggard face, as he looks still worse for wear, pale, drawn and actually so heavily bruised that he is hard to recognize. "How're you doing, Captain?", Troy asks the wary officer. "Better", the Hauptmann answers crisply, trying to hide a wince. "Which means not good at all", Troy summarizes and triggers a reaction in the proud Captain, as Dietrich sharply looks at him with a defiant stare and snaps in a warning tone: "Sergeant!" Moffit interferes on Troy's behalf with his driest tone from which noone but the Brit is sure whether it is just dry humor or dead serious: "Absolutely accurate assessment, Captain. You're definitely in a better state than yesterday. Almost anything is better than than standing at death's door and staring the grim reaper right in the eyes." As Dietrich turns his steely gaze toward him, the British scholar continues unperturbed: "Which does not mean that we would not have to check on your injuries, since you have woken the whole camp", he gazes at Ari sleeping peacefully, "almost the whole camp by scolding the dog for touching your injured ribs." Stubbornly holding his gaze, Dietrich insists "I'm fine!" with such an American drawl that Troy actually starts laughing. "Welcome to the U.S. army, Captain! You'll fit right in with that attitude." While the German officer does not look in the slightest bit amused, Moffit feels quite entertained.
Tully and Hitch busy themselves with preparing breakfast, not wishing to become involved in their Sergeants' quarrels with the German Hauptmann. Fritz, oblivious to the commotion he has caused, joins the Privates, following constantly at Hitch's heels with his practiced puppy eyes in place. Breaking up his staring duel with the German, Troy steps towards Dietrich who is still lying on the ground propped up on his good arm. The Afrikakorps officer tenses immediately upon the invasion of his personal space and eyes the American Sergeant warily, as Troy crouches beside him and faces him with a serious and slightly concerned look. "Take off the shirt, Captain! We really need to check your injuries." Wrestling his pride to show such weakness in front of his enemies, the Hauptmann finally comes to the conclusion that his current company cannot be considered his enemies more than the SS and he really requires the aid and does not wish to risk infection. Resigned, Hans Dietrich nods and sits up straighter in order to be able to use his uninjured arm for anything but leaning on it.
Leaving the proud German officer the dignity to undo the shirt buttons by himself, Troy's eyes narrow as he can observe the bruises along Dietrich's torso more clearly. Some of them have blackened over night and more parts of the skin along his chest and abdomen look dark than light. The German's ribs clearly visible underneath a layer of sinewy muscle and bruised skin are also a worrying sight, as they show quite clearly how starved the young man actually is which is definitely not merely a result of a few days captivity in the hands of the SS, but the last has definitely added to his state. The perfectly circular burn wounds from the cigarettes aling the Hauptmann's collarbone and on his chest look red and blistered, while the German winces visibly each times the fabric even lightly touches the sore skin. Troy curses that he has hardly any experience in treating this kind of injury except for applying cooling lotions when they get sun-burnt. The skinny Captain flinches as he is maneuvering the shirt sleeve over his injured right shoulder trying not to aggravate his injury further, but a wrong movement causes him searing pain from the bullet wound. Closing his eyes, Dietrich is taking several steadying breaths to deal with the onslaught of pain the movements cause his whole body and to get his reactions back under control. Troy feels him flinch, when the American puts a hand on the younger man's shoulder in an intended gesture of support. The skinny Hauptmann meets the Sergeant's blue eyes with a wary gaze, as he comments in a carefully neutral tone that costs him obvious effort: "You would have to remove the shoulder bandage, Sergeant, as I currently lack the mobility to do so myself."
Moffit takes this as his cue to appear with their expanded first aid kit, withdrawing surgical scissors meant for cutting bandages without harming a patient's skin. The Captain apparently is concentrating hard to not show any reaction of discomfort at his enemies' close proximity. Hiding his pain caused by the treatment, the German schools his face into a tense neutral expression which Moffit recognizes as fake, but he still has to acknowledge the willpower this action alone takes. The Hauptmann's shoulder injury looks indeed better than on the previous day with most of the bleeding staved. With actual relief the British Sergeant confirms that no infection has settled in, since he cannot see any reddened rims along the stitched up injury. Although the burn wounds look red and blistered, they show no signs of direct infection either. Yet, Dietrich cannot hide a wince and hiss of pain, when the Brit brushes his fingers over the skin. While Jack Moffit reapplies a fresh bandages around the younger man's shoulder, Sam Troy rummages through the first aid kit in search of something to treat the burns with.
"Ahah", the American Sergeant finally cries out in victory upon finding what he has been looking for. "Sorry I didn't think of the lotion yesterday", he tells Hans Dietrich who looks up in surprise. "You will need some sterile gauze as well and the bandages should not be as tight as the one on the shoulder", the German advises the Allied Sergeant to Troy's surprise instead of scolding him. "You know what we're supposed to do, Captain?", Troy asks him, relieved that someone around feels assured of what to do. First Aid beyond quenching a bleeding or wrapping some bandage around something is not Sam Troy's strong suit. The Hauptmann smiles sardonically, as he replies with a tone of dry irony: "Given how many chances I've had to treat this type of injury among my men after one of your attacks, one could argue that you have trained me excellently for this situation, Sergeant Troy." The American Sergeant does not meet his gaze to argue over that, so Dietrich continues with a calm matter-of-fact tone: "You need to apply the lotion directly on the skin for a cooling effect. Then you need to wrap the gauze around tight enough to not scratch while moving in order to keep the wound sterile and from being infected!" "We can do that", Sam Troy reassures him and takes out several patches of gauze which the Hauptmann is motioning him to hand over. After application of the lotion, the Captain positions the gauze on the injuries to cover them in a way comfortable for him, before Moffit fixes its position attaching medical patches to it. Once Dietrich is patched up to their satisfaction, Troy hands him back the shirt at which the German Captain now scowls, as he realizes that it is an American army shirt rather than his own German one. "Take it or leave it, Captain", Troy puts it straight. "But your own shirt was so drenched in sweat and blood, we could not actually recover it." After a few seconds of hesitation, Dietrich finally shrugs and comments with a fatalistic tone: "It's not like I wouldn't have experience wearing American shirts. Whether I am shot as a traitor in my own uniform or an American one will hardly make any difference for the SS." Troy and Moffit exchange looks after that comment, but both refrain from answering in any way.
Once Captain Dietrich looks at least properly dressed in Troy's shirt which still appears too loose on his skinny frame, the Sergeant offers him a hand to help him stand up which the Hauptmann accepts after a moment of hesitation. "You should wash and shave. It will do wonders for making you feel more like a human being", Troy comments nonchalantly. Seeing that proud officer is struggling how to ask for being borrowed what he needs for such bare necessities, Sam adds: "I'm willing to lend you my set for that." That is an offer which the German officer accepts with honest gratitude.
Looking closer to his old self with the exception of the bruises on his face, Hauptmann Hans Dietrich joins Troy, Moffit, Tully and Hitch a short while later at their camp fire which is kept low to not alert the German camp. Although he is swaying slightly and leaning on the Jeep's bonnet for support, the tall German is at least able to walk mostly on his own. Fritz who is gnawing on a piece of dried sausage jumps to his feet and up at Dietrich's leg wagging his tail in delight upon seeing the man up and about. "Schon gut, Fritz", Dietrich mutters quietly as he pets the dog's head, before he orders "Runter!" and Fritz immediately gets his paws back on the ground, trying to look innocent. "He really likes you", Hitch comments with a grin. "I've kept him fed and given him a place to sleep and live for the past few months", the Captain states rather dryly. "You can always trust a dog to be a good judge of character", Tully comments out of the blue, causing everyone to stare at him in surprise.
Dietrich eyes him with obvious suspicion. "Is there something specific you wish to imply, Private Pettigrew?" The American is squirming slightly under his sharp gaze. "He probably means that you're not half as bad as you try to appear, Herr Hauptmann", Moffit comes to the rescue of his trusted driver. "How would you know, Sergeant? From interrogating my dog?", the German Captain tries to sound derisive, as he is not sure how and where the Rats' comments are meant to mislead him. "You don't trust us, Captain", Troy finally states the obvious. "Like you trust me", Hans Dietrich inverts Troy's own words from a former encounter. "How do you intend for us to help you rescue your men, if you don't want to trust us?", Troy tries to convince the German who he sees on the verge of turning to their side. "I suppose we have enough of a history of cooperating without actually requiring trust in each other, Sergeant", the bruised young Captain replies sarcastically. "In case you need a reminder, Sergeant Moffit still has my SS file and can fill you in." Angered at the slight directed at him, Moffit accuses the German officer: "You seem to forget that we saved your life, you ungrateful bastard." Dietrich merely raises his eyebrows, as he replies dryly: "According to your own statement, you operate under direct command of your headquarters. So this is nothing personal that I personally should be grateful for. Apart from that, you personally have stuck your nose in my past and into my family's affairs which are none of your business, Sergeant." His tone has become quite venomous by now. "Agreeing to sell myself for the lives of my men has nothing to do with sympathies. I am merely out of anything else to trade with."
Fritz' soft whine when sensing the distress in the strained atmosphere turns loud enough to interrupt the tense silence that follows the harsh statement. The Captain's mere gaze turning on him is enough to silence the dog quickly. But the noise has already awakened Ari from his sleep who is now coming over, oblivious to the adults' stand-off. "*Can I get something to eat, Hauptmann?*", he asks Dietrich innocently. At he sight of the Jewish boy, the Captain's gaze softens and he lowers his brown eyes to meet Ari's. "*He will give you something to eat*", he answers with a gentle tone that surprises the Rats, while pointing at Hitchcock who has several rations strewn around him which would have been meant to be distributed before they have all been sidetracked by their argument. "Private Hitchcock, please give the boy some of the biscuits!", the German orders in his usual command voice which Hitchcock obeys on instinct. Troy briefly considers to tell Dietrich not to give orders to his men, but resists the temptation after the escalation of their previous conversation.
Visibly jaded after the argument, the weary Hauptmann sits down in the same place as yesterday, leaning against the Jeep's front tire and eyeing the Rats warily. Hitch walks over and hands him a breakfast ration, refraining from throwing anything toward the already irritated German officer, as he has been told off yesterday for doing just that, even though he has intended to be nice. "Thank you, Private", Dietrich replies politely, yet his gaze does not lighten up in the least. Also, the lean Captain does not even move a finger to unpack the rations, independent of how starved the young man actually is, as he is staring straight ahead at the sand in front of him with glazed over eyes.
Now that the young Hauptmann can think more clearly than on the previous day, after his last minute rescue from the SS and almost dying in the hands of his enemies turned rescuers, the immensity of what is happening around him has caught up with Hans Dietrich. Originally, he has not expected to survive openly turning against the SS for any longer than his men have. But he has learned quickly how gravely he has underestimated Obersturmbannführer Waldheim's sadistic streak in tormenting him as long as possible. When his death sentence has been communicated to German headquarters, the SS officer has made sure that Hans would be aware of that. For this purpose of humiliating and psychologically torturing the despised young Hauptmann even more, he has ordered his men to drag a beaten and disheveled Dietrich next to the radio operator and force the proud man to listen to the report and reaction. After all that has happened in the past few days, Hans is well aware that he has no way of returning to his own army that he has always served loyally, to his homeland which he has not visited in three years or to his family who are either dead, imprisoned or would loath and hate him from now on. His own father would rather carry out his execution himself than have a traitor in the family and see their good name in the German army slighted in such a way. Branded as an outcast for doing what is morally right, the young officer grits his teeth in helpless fury at the injustice of his situation.
Troy and Moffit both observe Dietrich's internal struggle written in his facial expression which turns from depressed to furious over the course of a few minutes. The far away, unfocused stare of his eyes is giving away that it is not the Rats he is thinking of right now, as he would furiously look from one to the other in that case, like he has done in the past, when confronted with one of Troy's crazy schemes. "Something wrong with the food?", Sam Troy interrupts the German officer's musings who blinks in surprise at being asked a question. Gathering his wits and focusing on the situation at hand, Dietrich merely shakes his head in silence, as he selects the pack of biscuits to eat first, since it is the easiest to open with his injured arm. Exchanging a worried glance with Moffit, Troy continues with his own breakfast. Whatever is haunting the German, would better not influence today's mission. At least, he does not appear to be on the verge of collapsing any more, but otherwise little has improved, as Dietrich is distrustful of their motives and backed against a wall with no way to escape alive except for the one they have provided him with. But would that suffice to get the proud and stubborn young officer to actually defect, even if he can cooperate with them temporarily. Except for his life and the last shreds of his dignity the man literally has nothing left to lose.
Eating merely out of necessity to gain enough strength to carry on and fulfill his last obligation, to save his men's lives, Hans Dietrich chews on the Americans' ration without even registering the taste, as his thoughts focus on how to gain entrance to the base again without having the Rats shooting or blowing up any more of his soldiers unnecessarily. Things are easy for Sergeant Troy and his men who can just knock out or kill guards without a second thought, as they are their enemies, making their actions absolutely justified. The same thing is not so simple for Hans Dietrich who carries the weight of responsibility for the men the Americans simply consider their enemies which they have every right of killing without hesitation in a war situation. Why have they never killed him or even seriously tried to kill him in more than a rare few occasions. This question the SS have thought to know the answer to so clearly, has haunted him for days now.
After rising to his feet and taking a few seconds to steady himself, Dietrich's eyes meet with Troy's who has risen as well and is mirroring his own wary expression on his face. "Sergeant Troy. A word, if you please", he points toward a slightly secluded part of the hide-out which is far enough away from the others to not have their conversation overheard, but within range of sight to not make the rest of the Rats too nervous about what is transpiring between them. Troy studies the German's bruised face and tormented expression for a few seconds, before agreeing to the unspoken terms, motioning the others to stay seated. "After you, Captain."
Somewhat slower than usual, the German officer moves toward the alcove where Troy catches up with him. Dietrich turns around, but leans against the wall for partial support, not yet trusting his legs to keep him upright for long enough. "What's on your mind, Captain?", Troy asks him with honest curiosity and concern. "You know, Sergeant. A certain question has been haunting me for days. The SS were quite sure they knew the answer to it, yet I don't." Dietrich hesitates after his smooth start, weighing how to continue. "You and your men have had more than a few opportunities to kill me or capture me, yet you still let me go or left me as sometimes the only survivor. Obersturmbannführer Waldheim was absolutely sure that this proves my treason, but I know that I am not a traitor. So why would you spare my life, when you would kill every single other man?"
Troy's breath catches, when the German confronts him with the question he would rather not think about himself, as the answer could imply his own treason, just as their treatment has made Dietrich look guilty in the eyes of the SS. "I'll tell you a story, Captain", Troy starts out and smiles, as he sees the Afrikakorps officer frowning at his entree. "You know that I have been taken prisoner by Colonel Beckmann?" Captain Dietrich nods slowly. "That is in the file we have on you, Sergeant." Troy smiles coldly. "What is probably not in that file is that Beckmann tortured me while I was his prisoner." The German officer visibly tenses, sucks in a breath and eyes the American with something akin to concern briefly visible in his eyes, before fury replaces the emotion. "Did he now?", Dietrich asks with his tone barely hiding his anger and Troy straightens into a more upright position than his usual slouched stance. "Yes. He also tried to frame me to be court-martialed for his murder." "Unworthy behaviour for a German officer", The Hauptmann spits out with contempt and Troy suddenly understands that the young Captain's fury is not directed at him, but at the former fellow officer who has violated Dietrich's sense of justice and honor thoroughly.
Then, the Captain's eyes narrow, as he asks in a less venomous tone: "What does this have to do with me, Sergeant? I have never tortured you, your men or any other prisoner, although I have admittedly tried to trick you into revealing information." Troy looks seriously at the other's bruised face. "Men like Colonel Beckmann or General König", Dietrich grimaces at the name, "have shown me what kind of enemy I could deal with - one who would have tortured or killed me and my men without scruples or hesitation." The young Captain is eyeing him cautiously, unsure where this is leading. "Let me add another story", Troy tries to stall and the Hauptmann looks outright unnerved. "I have a younger brother, David, who has joined the RAF. A Major von Brugge out of revenge abducted him, put him in the middle of a mine field and left him as bait for me to be blown up", Troy tells Dietrich with fury in his voice while the German looks stunned at the description. "I can understand perfectly that you have enough reason and experience to hate any German officer", the Hauptmann states curtly. "Which brings us back to my original question."
"You have pointedly ignored the Commando order issued last month to have any commando executed and not treated as POW", Troy continues. "Just like any other officer of the Afrikakorps on Fieldmarshal Rommel's orders", Dietrich counters vehemently, "we are leading a clean war without fanaticism here." Hans becomes aware of how hollow his words sound even in his own ears, especially after the events of the past few days. "Do I really need to remind you of Wansee or von Brugge or Beckmann or König, again?" "Wansee was SS, a dangerous fanatic by definition and not a member of the German Afrikakorps", Dietrich tries to counter, as Troy interrupts him. "And the rest were Wehrmacht officers like yourself."
Troy gives him a measuring look, before continuing his argument: "I may not trust you on a personal level, but I have always trusted you on a professional level to treat your prisoners fairly, respect the Geneva Convention and that if you give your word or agree to a truce in the name of the greater good so to speak, you will keep it no matter what, even at your own expense and risk. Frankly, Captain, you are a good and decent man and an honorable soldier." The Hauptmann is averting his gaze, unsure how to deal with the praise of his sworn enemy turned life savior. Dietrich has no idea whether the man is simply trying to manipulate him into actual defection or speaking the truth. "That is the minimum requirement for becoming a German officer", the proud young Captain counters rather gloomily. "I would never have noticed", Troy retorts, but acquiesces the irate Captain quickly. "Don't get me wrong. I suppose most of your officers would be honorable toward their fellow Germans, but apart from you I have met few who would extend that behaviour to their enemies and even local populace." The German Captain looks thoughtful and decides not to continue treading on this kind of thin ice.
"Then, what about the rest of your men?", Dietrich asks cautiously to which Troy answers confidently: "They share the sentiment or at least respect my point of view as an unspoken order." The German officer shakes his head in quiet disbelief. "This is ridiculous. We are soldiers fighting a war, Sergeant. You do not just 'spare your favourite enemy' on a whim." Troy grins which unnerves the Hauptmann even more than his grim expression would. "Looks like you still have a few things to learn about Americans and their sentiments. I'm a commando trooper, operating without back-up behind enemy lines. I can decide who I kill and who I don't harm, unless I have direct orders. Never heard anyone directly order me to kill you." Dietrich looks taken aback and at a loss at what to say. "Come on. Our agreement is still standing and I think we have some men of yours to save", Troy continues after giving the German a few moments to react and he sounds almost cheerful. "We can lead all kind of gloomy discussions after that." Pulling himself out of his reverie, the Hauptmann answers approvingly, apparently grateful for the change of topic: "You are right, Sergeant. Let's focus on the situation at hand." Motioning his right hand in the direction of the camp and the rest of the team, Troy comments: "Excellent. But we'd better discuss plans with everyone present, lest they start getting suspicious." "After you, Sergeant", Dietrich gestures toward the camp with his left hand and slowly follows Troy unwilling to show the strain he can already feel on his body, even though they have not even left the camp yet.
While Troy makes his way back to Moffit, Hans Dietrich is intercepted by Ari. The boy looks up at the tall officer with a mixture of worry and curiosity, as he asks meekly: "*What will happen now?*" The German crouches to get closer to eye-level with the child and carefully weighs his answer: "*We will try to help other people in the town.*" Ari beams at him exclaiming: "*I want to help too!*" That is exactly what Hans Dietrich has feared as a reaction. Thinking quickly, he argues smoothly: "*Of course, you will help. We need you to guard the camp, while we will be gone. You can even have Fritz as a guard dog.*" Fritz would not be able to guard anything, if his life depended on it, rather playing with an intruder than attack him, but that is beside the point. The Hauptmann merely wants the boy to stay as far away from the SS as possible.
As his eyes register the yellow star of David on the boy's clothing, he orders him rather harshly: "*Take this off!*" Slightly scared by the tone, Ari fiddles with removing the star and hands it over to Dietrich without looking him in the eyes. With a sigh the German actually makes an effort to sound more friendly and gentle. "*Ari, wearing this is dangerous for you. I am simply*", he struggles with the word and settles for "*worried.*" The Jewish boy smiles sadly, as he says: "*Eema also sounded the most scary when she was worried about me.*" Tears well up in his eyes again and he instinctively leans against the shoulder in front of him. Knowing that he will not escape this situation unless he calms down the child, Hans Dietrich merely speaks with the boy soothingly. Reminded of how he has taken care of his five years younger cousin Elisabeth, when she has been a child, he struggles with his own grief.
Meanwhile, Jack Moffit whispers to Sam Troy: "What was that about?" Troy frowns slightly, as he answers: "The Captain asked me why we did not kill him, when we had the chance so many times." "Why was I not invited for that? I would have loved to hear the answer to that question", the British Sergeant states sarcastically. "Stop it, Jack!", tue American growls warningly, but this time Jack Moffit does not back down: "No, Troy. We have indulged your eccentricity to spare Dietrich often enough without asking questions. The next time, you give him that explanation we want to hear your arguments as well." "What makes you think there will be a next time?", Troy sounds slightly uncomfortable. "Because he obviously did not believe you this time. That much I could read from his face and body language." Sighing in exasperation, Troy nods: "Next time, you can come along. At least, I might have some back-up convincing him that he is a good man." "That does not play role in a war where each day you get up and potentially kill the other", Moffit counters. "I won't take you along, if you join his side of this debate!", Troy states jokingly. "But he is actually right and that he would lead the argument against himself shows that he is a far better soldier than you will ever be, Troy", Moffit tries to point out. At Troy's unamused face, he asks incredulously: "You really spared Dietrich only because you think that he is a good man?" "Would you rather have had the likes of Koenig or Beckman capture you? They wouldn't have hesitated to torture or execute any of us. Dietrich's always been just and fair, he'd never have tortured a prisoner under his command", Troy retorts with actual conviction. "So you really thought that protecting him and keeping him alive would protect us when we are captured by him or his men?", Moffit still sounds incredulous.
Their discussion is interrupted by Tully shouting: "Krauts are moving!" Even Dietrich joins them as quickly as possible after having ordered Ari to hide in the back of a Jeep. Troy hands the German his binoculars, asking: "What are they up to?" With a scowl, the Captain observes the movements outside of the gates, as ten SS soldiers form a guard of honor with rifles raised. Then Waldheim's black SS staff car drives out of the fort's gate at walking speed. Lowering the binoculars, Dietrich's face turns into a cold mask. "They are going to bury the SS officers you killed yesterday", he growls with unconcealed loathing. "If you want to attack the SS without hitting anybody else, this will be your golden opportunity, as I see none of my soldiers participating." The Hauptmann is wondering whether this is a good or a bad sign.
"If we turn this funeral into a party noone will forget, you can sneak back into the base and talk to your men, Captain", Troy suggests. Nodding in approval, Dietrich replies: "That is a viable option... assuming that you trust me enough to just let me walk back into my own fort to my own men without a guard, as you will need all your drivers and gunners." Now the eyes of all Rats move from Dietrich to Troy. "You have given me your word that we have your full cooperation. You have never disappointed me before, so I trust your word, Captain", the American Sergeant answers with a stern expression, meant to discourage his stubborn unit from arguing. Turning to the group, he commands: "Okay. We drop the Captain outside town and then get these SS guys. Move fast, let's shake it!" Dietrich tenses visibly at the last phrase, but still complies quietly.
Shooing the Jewish boy out of the Jeep, they leave him behind with Fritz, as they make their way toward town quickly to catch the SS still unawares. No sooner than they have moved in toward town from the opposite side of where the SS is operating, shots can be heard ringing out. "Who is shooting those guys, if it is not us?", Troy wonders loudly. "Sheikh Sulaiman and his Arabs", Dietrich shouts his answer from the other Jeep without hesitation. "Believe me, you don't want to get involved over there. Stay out of it and let the Bedouins have their revenge." "What do they want revenge for?", Moffit asks the German officer sitting in front of him worriedly. "The shot Jews were also the Sheikh's townspeople and the Bedouins were already close to an uprising after the public marking with stars according to my Oberleutnant's report", Dietrich informs him. Moffit eyes the Captain slightly suspiciously. "You were already arrested, when your First Lieutenant would have reported this." Eyeing him indignantly, Dietrich snaps: "Yes, I was." "Then why would your officer report to you?", Moffit asks warily. "Because the fools from the SS did not listen to him", Dietrich growls, "I think the Obersturmbannführer asked something along the lines whether the whole Afrikakorps were cowards afraid of a few ragged Arabs." "Idiots", Moffit huffs. "That's what Oberleutnant Wagner thought as well and why he turned to me in spite of me lying in the sickbay", Dietrich concludes their discussion ignoring Moffit's gaze resting on him.
Tully and Hitch meanwhile have driven their Jeeps at a slower pace toward the waste dump. As soon as they stop, Dietrich climbs out as previously arranged. Steadying himself with his good arm at the side of the Jeep, as he feels rather lightheaded, he takes a few breaths before daring to release his support. By that time Troy and Moffit have jumped down from the back of the Jeeps as well, each with a Thompson gun in his hand. "What do you intend to do, Sergeants?", Dietrich asks eyeing them warily. "If we can't go out there, we'll stay here or follow you, until we know how the battle ended between the Arabs and SS." "I need to warn my men to close the gates as quickly as possible. Refrain from shooting at my soldiers or stay out here, Sergeant!", the German officer snaps, as he turns toward the tunnel.
The rotting donkey corpse is still in place and the stench has not improved since yesterday. Taking only shallow breaths, Dietrich scans the floor around the cadaver intently. "What is it?", Troy startles him, as he whispers into his ear at far too close distance for the German Captain's liking. "Our footprints are here. No further tracks or heaps of vomit are visible anywhere in the vicinity. Do you agree, Sergeant?", the German whispers back between clenched teeth trying to breathe in through his mouth as little of the stench as possible. "True", Troy agrees, then comes to the conclusion that the Captain has pointed him to. "So nobody followed us out here. You think it's safe to go back in this way?" "Safer than the gate anytime", Dietrich states drily, as he carefully makes his way through the rubble. As the Hauptmann stumbles for the second time, Troy catches his upper left arm steadying the German. "You're doing a lot better than yesterday, but you're still far from fit and healthy, Captain", Troy whispers to the slightly mortified officer who is torn between being grateful and embarrassed that the American Sergeant is here.
Moffit follows behind them, covering their rear after having instructed Tully and Hitch to hide the Jeeps underneath their camouflage netting and stay as lookouts. Before they step into the cellar room, Dietrich stops short listening intently. After concentrating, Troy can hear the soft sounds as well. A scraping noise resounds from the other end of the room. For now they are still hidden behind the barrels, but whoever is lurking out there could become aware of them anytime. The Hauptmann who knows the area and build much better lies down on his stomach and squints to see how many people are there through the gap between two barrels. After his eyes have adapted to the darkness, seeing a person in direct lighting of a torch is simple and he recognizes Willi Gruber who is digging something out of the ground. The soldier has reacted rather nervously on the previous day when he has heard about a secret stash, but Dietrich has barely been able to stay on his feet back then, even less pay this detail any more attention. But now, the pieces of this puzzle appear to fall into place.
Getting back to his feet, he sneaks past Troy along the wall until he is within range of sight of the young soldier who is completely oblivious to his presence. "Soldat Gruber", the German Captain addresses the young man in a crisp command voice that makes the pudgy young lad squeak in surprise. "Ha... Hauptmann Dietrich. Was tun Sie hier?", the young soldier whimpers asking what his senior officer is doing here. "Interessanter ist, was Sie hier tun, Gruber. Ein Geheimversteck?", Dietrich snaps without leaving the young Austrian time to think, as he inquires what he is doing with a secret stash down here. When the young man blushes in embarrassment, Dietrich takes a closer look at the collection of canned food, most likely nicked from the storage. "Gruber, Sie bringen Ihr Diebesgut nach oben in die Küche und lassen es den Männern zukommen!", the Hauptmann orders him to bring his loot back to the kitchen and hand it over for the good of the unit's men. "Dann bewahren wir Stillschweigen hierüber!" Under the strict gaze of the skinny Captain and the promise of silence, Willi Gruber packs his tinned food cans and scrambles to his feet with unexpected speed, whimpering in relief: "Jawohl, Herr Hauptmann!", as he flees in fear. The young man has not even realized that his superior officer is wearing an American uniform shirt instead of a German one.
As soon as the soldier is out of sight, Troy approaches Dietrich: "What was that about?" "He stole rations and stashed them here secretly", the Captain answers in exasperation, scowling darkly at the thought of the dishonourable behaviour of his soldier. "I ordered him to return them to the kitchen and remain silent about the whole affair." Moffit frowns deeply, as he asks: "Was it wise to let him leave?" Dietrich's voice sounds derisive, as he replies: "Gruber is a coward and a thief. He was too afraid to even give us away to the SS since yesterday in order to cover up his thievery. He will not speak to anyone about what has happened. The man was truly embarrassed." Troy nods grimly, while Moffit scowls, full of doubt.
As they make their way up the stairs out of the cellar, all of them listen intently for any noise outside. "Stay behind!", Hans Dietrich whispers, once they reach the door to the back yard behind the offices. Opening the door slowly to avoid squeaking of the hinges, he peeks outside and then steps into the yard, once he has determined that the coast is clear. Looking toward the office building, Dietrich is surprised to find the back entrance unguarded. In the other direction lies his intended destination, the hospital area. Hoping that the Rats will listen to him and not get out here to do anything rash, he sneaks toward the entrance door and listens before opening it.
As soon as the Hauptmann enters the sickbay, the smell of disinfectants, sweat and sickness hits Dietrich's nose, feeling almost like a relief after the stench of a rotting donkey however. Doktor Sommer has turned around upon hearing the door and is now staring at his former Hauptmann wide-eyed. Gesturing to stay silent with his index finger moving to his lips, Dietrich points toward the door of the Doctor's private side room. Nodding in understanding, the medic opens the door and lets the Captain enter before him. As soon as he has closed the door behind them both, Ludwig Sommer whirls around and confronts the young officer: "Dietrich, was tun Sie hier?" The young officer answers the question what he is doing here straight out by replying that he is trying to get his men out alive: "Ich versuche, die Männer lebend aus all dem herauszuholen." Studying the bruised face of his former Hauptmann closely, the Doctor merely nods and asks: "Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen, Hauptmann?" As he shows the reaction Dietrich has expected from his noble Stabsarzt, the young officer explains what kind of help he would require. "Sie müssen schnellstens den befehlshandenden Offizier verständigen, dass die Tore geschlossen werden müssen. Die Araber metzeln gerade die SS nieder und werden dann hierher kommen", he orders him to warn the current commanding officer immediately about the Arabs killing the SS and closing the fort's gates. Doktor Sommer nods in understanding wondering what Dietrich will do. "Was werden Sie tun?"
"Ich werde versuchen mit den Arabern über den Abzug der Truppe zu verhandeln. Dafür brauche ich aber die Gefolgschaft des Befehlshabenden und, dass man mich nicht als Verräter erschießt." Dietrich explains that he intends to negotiate the unit's retreat with the Arabs, but requires the commanding officer to follow his lead and not shoot him as a traitor. "Leutnant Haberfeld soll sich hüten, auf Sie schießen zu lassen", the medic growls that the Lieutenant better not dare to consider shooting at Dietrich. "Ich vertraue Ihnen, dass Sie sich um den Alarm am Tor kümmern und begleite Sie in die Kommandantur", Hauptmann Dietrich assures him that he trusts Sommer to raise the alarm at the gate and will accompany him to the base commander later.
Without hesitating any longer, Doktor Sommer rushes outside and shouts to the gate guards: "Alarm. Schließen Sie die Tore! Die Araber greifen an!" The German soldiers react immediately and within a minute the gate is closed and secured. When Doktor Sommer turns around to take Dietrich with him towards the commander, he notices a movement at the stairs to the cellar. Wondering what nonsense the kitchen boys or Hans Dietrich's annoying dog are up to again, the medic focuses on the more relevant task at hand, meeting his former CO and bringing him to the commander's office. The Hauptmann has taken a seat at his desk in the meantime reading through the casualty reports from the previous day. The young officer's distress is clearly visible in his bruised and haggard face, as he becomes aware of the death count from the events around his escape.
Meeting the medic's eyes, Hans staggers to his feet, steadying himself with the left hand on the desk and closing his eyes briefly to concentrate. "Sie sollten eigentlich selbst im Lazarett sein, Dietrich!", Doktor Sommer admonishes that the young Captain should be in the sickbay himself. Dietrich just snorts derisively, not even deeming this worthy of a retort. "Wir müssen gehen, Doktor", he remarks hoarsely, as he hurries to leave. When they cross the yard to the back entrance of the office building, the Hauptmann sees Troy opening the cellar door. Shaking his head in the negative, he desperately hopes that the leader of the Rat Patrol will heed his wordless warning, as he enters the office building behind Ludwig Sommer.
The first guard on the inside raises the weapon immediately upon seeing the bruised man in the American uniform shirt. Only after taking a second glance, he recognizes his bruised Hauptmann and lowers the weapon in surprise. "Hauptmann Dietrich?" Dietrich salutes properly and addresses the soldier as: "Soldat Staller." The soldier straightens to stand at attention and salutes back automatically, letting them pass without question. The guard in front of the office reacts similarly. As they open the office door, Leutnant Haberfeld is talking on the phone and stopping short midsentence, as soon as he recognizes Dietrich. Finishing his orders for the gate guards after recovering from his momentary shock, he hangs up the phone and turns towards Doktor Sommer and Hauptmann Dietrich. "Herr Hauptmann, was tun Sie hier?", the fair-haired man in his late twenties asks his former superior officer completely taken aback what he is doing here. Unlike the Kieler Captain, the shorter man has orginally been a soldier, not an officer and only been promoted for his actual skill as a tank operator based on Dietrich's recommendation.
"Leutnant, ich versuche Ihnen und den Männern zu helfen, aus dieser Situation lebend rauszukommen", Hans repeats his intent to help the men to escape the situation alive. "Die Araber metzeln gerade die SS nieder und werden dann das Fort angreifen. Halten Sie sich mit Angriffen zurück. Ich werde versuchen, einen Abzug zu verhandeln", he informs the Leutnant of the Arab's attack on the SS and possibly on the Fort thereafter, as well as his willingness to negotiate a retreat. "Ich habe ein Abkommen mit den Alliierten, dass Sie sich ergeben und ohne Furcht vor Misshandlung in Kriegsgefangenschaft begeben dürfen", the Hauptmann then adds that he has a standing arrangement with the Allies to allow his former unit to surrender without fear of mistreatment or being considered war criminals for what has happened in the town.
Leutnant Haberfeld seems relieved above all else that an escape from their hopeless situation becomes possible again and agrees to support Dietrich whole-heartedly. "Aber wenn Sie hier wieder Befehle geben, Hauptmann Dietrich, sollten Sie das besser in einer deutschen Uniform tun", he suggests that the Captain should better change into a German uniform for retaking command of his soldiers. Agreeing immediately, Dietrich asks Haberfeld about accessing the office desk against which he is leaning for support. "Es tut mir leid, Herr Hauptmann. Wir haben keinen Schlüssel mehr, daher konnte ich die Lade nicht öffnen." Cursing inwardly, Hans hopes that the Rats have retrieved the keys from Waldheim, as otherwise it will become tedious to try and open the desk drawer without destroying anything.
Doktor Sommer has returned from the neighbouring room with a fresh shirt and officer's jacket for the young officer to wear instead of the baggy American shirt that combined with his bruised face gives him the appearance of a rather pitiful scare crow. Thanking the Doctor, the Hauptmann unbuttons the American shirt with his left hand and shrugs out of the sleeves, wincing as the shoulder wound is reminding him of its existence. Doktor Sommer has remained close by and is now ordering the Captain to wait with dressing so that he can check Dietrich's bruised body for broken ribs or signs of internal injury. Wincing at the touch, the young officer tries to keep his face neutral during the procedure, while Leutnant Haberfeld averts his gaze, looking visibly paler than before. The stories of what the SS has done to their Hauptmann has filled the camp with no small amount of fear for days. But seeing the evidence as clearly before him as it is marked on the man's skin is even worse than the stories, as there is barely a square centimeter along Hans Dietrich's torso not colored darkly by bruises.
Once Doktor Sommer has assured that his badly mistreated former CO is safe from internal bleeding, he helps the Hauptmann into his right shirt sleeve and afterwards allows the proud man to get dressed by himself. Apart from the bruises the young officer appears too skinny to be healthy, but that could be helped with proper and regular nourishment, a luxury they often have not been able to afford in the last months. Dressed in his own uniform shirt and jacket Hans Dietrich feels more secure and like his old self. If not for the pain in his shoulder and his whole upper body as well as his increasing fatigue, he could almost think that this is a normal day in command for him. "Leutnant. Sie befehligen die Verteidigung des Forts. Versuchen Sie die Araber weder zu reizen noch unnötig zu schießen", he turns to Leutnant Haberfeld and orders him to command the defense of the fort and not provoke the Arabs or kill them unnecessarily. "Wie werden Sie zu Ihnen hinauskommen?", the lower ranking officer asks how Dietrich will get outside to them. "So wie ich hereingekommen bin", the Hauptmann answers cryptically that he will do so in the same way as he has come in. Saluting the Captain, the Leutnant hurries off to execute his commands, while Doktor Sommer excuses himself to return to the sickbay.
Finally alone, Hans Dietrich sinks into the chair at his desk exhausted and buries his head in his hands for a moment. A sound close-by makes him look up sharply and he sighs in exasperation, as he recognizes Sam Troy. "Sergeant", he addresses him with a sigh in means of a greeting. "Please tell me that in addition to stealing SS files you and your men had the presence of mind to retrieve the desk keys from the dead SS officer." Moffit who is standing close behind Troy actually blushes in embarrassment that he did not even think of that. When the American Sergeant deduces the answer from his reaction as does the German Captain, he simply shakes his head. "Sorry, Captain. We're outta luck." When the Yankee raises his Thompson gun and steps closer, Dietrich tenses automatically, then snaps: "Don't you dare shoot at my desk, Sergeant!" "Well, do you have any other means to open the lock without the key?", Moffit asks with an aggressive tone. "Just because my name is Dietrich doesn't imply that I am good at lockpicking", the Captain jokes dryly to the Brit's actual amusement who explains to the utterly confused Troy that 'Dietrich' literally means 'lockpick' in German which makes Troy burst into laughter.
Meanwhile the German officer has taken a paper clip from the desk and is bending it into a different shape, before inserting it into the lock. Moffit looks at him incredulously: "You're not seriously picking the lock of your own desk with a paper clip." "As the key is in the SS officer's jacket and I know for a fact that your most subtle way of breaking and entering is smashing something instead of your usual shooting or blowing things up, I am out of alternatives", Hauptmann Dietrich answers him smoothly with irony lacing his voice, as he does not even look up from his work of moving the bent piece of metal in the lock. A soft click after a full minute of fiddling with the improvised lockpicking tool has the German Captain nod in satisfaction, while Troy and Moffit simply exchange baffled glances. "Mighty handy knowing that", the American Sergeant comments nonchalantly, "I'm pretty sure they don't teach you that at German officer schools." "Of course not", Dietrich answers him coolly, while he opens the drawer and rummages through its contents. "How did you learn it?", Troy cannot hide his curiosity. "My past not already documented in a SS file is none of your business, Sergeant", Dietrich growls and glares at both of them, as he looks up from the drawer.
"Please refrain from shooting, Sergeant", the German then speaks more calmly, as he takes his former service weapon out of the drawer and places it carefully on the desk. After that, he puts several bullets in a pile next to it, before taking out his watch, his Swiss army pocket knife and lighter which the SS have confiscated upon his arrest. Finally, the Hauptmann retrieves a package of papers and starts rifling through them. Once he has quickly checked every single page, Dietrich's face has turned almost murderous. "What is it, Captain?", Troy demands to know. "The last entry in this file is from myself 6 days ago. They have not even cared for resupplying or anything else", Dietrich growls darkly. "Why is that relevant?", Moffit asks. "Without backup ammunition to fight the way out of here, negotiating with the irate Sheikh is our only option", the German officer replies gloomily.
Moffit understands immediately how this is a great disadvantage for the German. "Don't you have a reputation with this town and their Sheikh from your desert ride to help them as well as your soldiers?", the British Sergeant asks, remembering the Jewish boy's story about the heroic Hauptmann. "Let's hope that this is worth enough to keep them from killing me outright and make Sheikh Sulaiman willing to negotiate", the German officer answers him worriedly. "We won't let you go alone", Troy vows and both Moffit and Dietrich stare at him with incredulity. "Impossible", the tall German Captain explains, "the Sheikh would kill anyone else on sight without caring about the uniform they wear. I will have to go alone." "Troy, he is right", Moffit supports Dietrich and Sam Troy stares in slight disbelief at the strange alliance formed against him for the second time on this day. "Fine. But we stay close by", the American Sergeant adapts as much as he is willing to. "Believe me, Sergeant. If they wish to kill me, it will not matter how close by you actually are", the young officer states pragmatically as if they were planning a route through the desert and not talking about his impending doom. "I don't get it", the American asks incredulously. "Do you want to die?" "I'd rather die in my own uniform performing my last duty and obligation to my men than live as a traitor and a coward", Hans Dietrich spits out with loathing. "You're neither a traitor nor a coward", Troy counters before he can stop himself. "That is why I have to go, Sergeant!", the Captain replies defiantly.
"At least take a weapon!", Troy orders the German officer to his own surprise. Dietrich eyes him suspiciously, then picks up his service weapon, checks its proper and clean state, before loading it. Putting his belt on with some struggle as his injured arm is not working properly, the German officer stows the Luger in his holster, before turning toward the door to his private room from which Doktor Sommer has retrieved his clothes and that the SS have apparently searched thoroughly. Nothing of his private property has remained untouched, as letters have been torn open, books leaved through with pages torn out and a few photographs are torn or strewn carelessly on the floor. The Bedouin kaftan from his desert ride lies on the floor discarded, with the unsheathed dagger beside it. This dagger is what Dietrich has been looking for, as he picks it up and fiddles to fix it to his belt. Noticing his struggle caused by his main arm being impaired, Moffit offers to help which the German Captain grudgingly accepts after a few moments of hesitation, although he is tense at his enemy's close proximity. Turning his back on the mess left of his torn apart personal belongings, Hans Dietrich makes his way back to the office. Taking a look around the room, Sam Troy considers the mess with a sense of sympathy for the Captain who has had his life upturned in a similar way as this room is visualizing it.
As he leaves his office, Dietrich orders the young soldier standing on guard to join the others outside in the defense of the fort. Once the man is out of sight, the German officer signals to Troy and Moffit to leave the office behind him. In a similar way he gets rid of the guard inside the office building at the door to the backyard, before leading the way for Troy and Moffit to the cellar, so that he can stop or send anyone who might cross their path on their way. The cellar stairs still provide a challenge for the German officer, as he has to steady himself along the wall to keep from staggering and falling. By the time they have made their way out through the tunnel and back to the Jeeps, Dietrich looks quite fatigued, leaning against the vehicles side to keep imself from falling.
"You should take a rest, before approaching the Sheikh, Captain", Moffit advises the haggard man who eyes him warily. Unbidden Tully silently offers the German a canteen with water which the Hauptmann accepts with a nod of gratitude. The fact that he is sitting down in the Jeep next to Tully and resting his head against the seat rest speaks clearly of his level of exhaustion. Each the Rats eyes the bruised Hauptmann with a certain level of concern with Sam Troy being the most worried about the young officer. "I know that noone has your standing with the Bedouins to make it to their Sheikh alive, but you look like your are in no state to go anywhere on your own", the American Sergeant tries to persuade Dietrich to take him with him. The German Captain conserves his strength, as he speaks without even opening his eyes: "This is not within my power to decide, Sergeant. I will have to go alone and sooner rather than later, before too much blood has been shed to resolve this conflict through negotiation."
After a few minutes of slowly drinking from the canteen and resting in the shade where they have hidden the Jeeps, Hans Dietrich feels well enough to try his luck in approaching the Sheikh. "You should try and demand the Bisha'a, the trial by fire, Captain", Moffit approaches the surprised Hauptmann. "Trial by fire?", the German looks confused, as he comments rather drily: "Running over red-hot metal is not what I had in mind for negotiations." "That is the European trial by fire, Captain. The Bedouins have a different ritual though", Moffit explains and Dietrich considers him with raised interest now. "The Bisha'a includes licking a red-hot metal rod. Doing this three times without burning the tongue will show the innocence of the accused as proven by god himself", the British scholar explains, while Dietrich regards him distrustfully. "And how exactly do you imagine me putting my tongue on a red-hot metal spoon without burning it?", the German demands with raised suspicion. "The trick is to not actually stay in touch, but quickly move the tongue over the surface. I have seen an accused horse thief do this and escape his punishment. You can wash your mouth after passing and I strongly advise you on that." The young officer is considering the idea and weighing his options, until he finally concedes: "Bisha'a you said, Sergeant Moffit? I will ask for that." "I wish you the best of luck for that, Captain", Moffit actually holds out his hand to shake in an honest show of support which Dietrich grasps after regarding him cautiously.
As they are already shaking hands, the British Sergeant helps the German Captain to his feet, before releasing him from his grasp. Dietrich feels lightheaded for a moment after getting up, but recovers quickly. With a brief, yet clear salute towards the Rats, he slowly walks off in the direction of the Sheikh's town residence. Troy stares after him and then mutters to Moffit: "We should still keep an eye out for him." "Don't you trust our dear old Captain?", Jack inquires with fake innocence. "This has nothing to do with trusting him. This is about protecting him to not get himself killed", the American Sergeant growls angrily in response. "Since when do we go out protecting Dietrich from getting killed?", Moffit snaps. "Since HQ considers him a valuable enough asset to send us all the way here to retrieve him", Troy answers in a similar tone as the British Sergeant. "Then why do we let him risk his life in the first place, if he is so valuable?", the British Sergeant snaps in animosity. "Because letting him save his men, lets him fulfill his final obligation to the Germans. Then he can actually defect", his older American older counters with an angry growl. "You know that he has thought this through thoroughly and carefully avoided to agree to defecting to our side", Jack Moffit argues dryly. "He's a wily fox, I grant him that", Troy agrees. "That doesn't mean we wouldn't want him to work for us rather than against us."
Several meters further into the town, the subject of their discussion moves through the deserted streets. Carefully eyeing his surroundings, Hans Dietrich is constantly on guard from look-outs who might attack him or hand him over to the Arab raiders rather than the Sheikh. Much closer to the Sheikh's residence than he would have suspected, he is stopped by several armed Bedouins. Raising his left arm in surrender, he speaks in fluent Arabic: "*Bring me to Sheikh Sulaiman. I need to speak with him.*" "*Faris alsahra*", one of the Bedouins recognizes him, addressing the tall European with his name of honor bestowed after his desert ride and orders the others to lower their rifles. Surrounded by the Arabs Hans Dietrich is led into the Sheikh's tent where the leader of the townspeople resides with his closest advisors and two guards standing at his side. As the German officer steps in front of them, one of the advisors starts shouting: "*Why do you bring this ruddy mutt here? He should die with the rest of the rabid dogs who attack and kill without reason or honor.*" Wrestling down his rising anger, the Hauptmann replies in a sharp tone: "*I am not a rabid dog like the SS men who murdered your townspeople. Neither are my men at the fort who your men are trying to kill for a crime they have not committed.*" As the advisor turns to throw further insults at the German, the Sheikh interrupts him: "*Your word stands against our experience with your people in the last week, faris alsahra.*"
Dietrich lowers his head in a gesture of reconciliation. "*I do not ask you to believe my word as it is, honored Sheikh Sulaiman. But I ask you to let me face the Bisha'a, the ordeal by fire, to prove the truth of my words.*" All the Bedouins in the tent are gasping in surprise. "*Do we wish to let an infidel abuse our traditions?*", the advisor asks with a hateful expression and clear disdain in his tone, while the Sheikh speaks: "*What he asks is legitimate. Call the Mobasha'a!*" One of the Arabs runs off and returns a few minutes later with an elderly Bedouin, clad in a linen shirt with a plain white turban on his head. "*You have called for me, Sheikh Sulaiman?*", the judge of the ritual asks. "*You will perform the bisha'a with this man*", the Sheikh points at Dietrich who straightens at the motion. "*His guilt or innocence will decide how we treat the rest of the infidels in town.*"
The Mobasha'a merely nods and takes a large metal ladle from his satchel worn around the shoulder. Sitting down at the fire in the center of the tent, he lays the ladle into the embers burying it, until it turns red-hot with a whitish patina outside. Dietrich is gulping involuntarily at the thought of having to move his tongue over that surface. The Mobasha'a speaks to him in a calm, matter-of-fact tone: "*I will hold the ladle out to you and you will have to lick over it three times. Then, you may rinse your mouth. Afterwards, I will check, if your tongue is burnt and you are found to be a liar exposed by God himself. But first you will recount your version of what has happened, for this is a just trial before Allah himself.*" Nodding in understanding, Hauptmann Dietrich starts his recount of having been arrested by the SS under false charges of treason and interrogated for days, relaying that the enemy officer has taken his command and soldiers, before committing the heinous crimes in their town for which they hat and despise them. Finally, the young officer recounts in detail how the execution of the Jewish civilians and his own loyal soldiers has happened anddescribes the fight against the SS officers and soldiers from his perspective. Once, he is finished, the Mobasha'a asks the Sheikh to explain his own version of the events. Once this is finished, the judge raises the now red-hot ladle from the fire with both hand and holds it in front of Dietrich, so that the German only has to bow his head slightly to be able to lick the surface. Heeding Moffit's advice, he moves his head quickly never lingering to allow his tongue to be burnt. To his surprise this actually works and although he can feel the heat of the metallic instrument in his face, the quick movements prevent actual burns.
After the third time, the Mobasha'a lowers the ladle back into the fire and hands Hans Dietrich a large metallic cup with water to rinse his mouth, before he directs the German officer to spit into the fire. Then, the Arab judge orders the Hauptmann to open his mouth and show his tongue. Touching the side of the bruised face with surprising gentleness, the Arab motions younger man's head slowly to get a good view and impression of the state of his tongue. Once he is satisfied that no burn-marks are visible, he releases the tall European and announces his verdict to the Sheikh: "*This man is speaking the truth. Inshallah.*" With relief Dietrich closes his eyes and lets out a breath he has been holding. The Sheikh regards him with a grave expression, before announcing in a stern tone: "*Even though you speak the truth, faris alsahra, too much injustice has happened. You and your soldiers will leave the the town until dusk today. Whoever is still there after that will be killed.*" More than relieved at his success, the Hauptmann thanks him for his generosity and quickly takes his leave, before Fortuna starts turning against him again. Summoning his last reserves of strength and willpower, Dietrich drags himself out of the tent keeping an almost straight stance until he leaves the open bazaar area and turns into a side street.
Once hidden in the dark side alley, the German Captain drops his guard for which he lacks the strength to maintain and leans against a house wall fighting to remain on his buckling feet. As someone steps out of the nearby shades, he tenses visibly and tries to reach for the gun at his belt, but is stopped by Troy's voice: "Leave the gun, Captain! It's just us." The German officer stops his movement and closes his eyes with a certain amount of relief which is not typically connected with meeting the Rat Patrol and in particular its leader. Even though Hans would not trust Troy personally, he shares the Sergeant's own assessment of trusting the other man's word and that he would get him back to the German fort to start the evacuation. "Don't pass out on us, Captain!", the American Sergeant admonishes, as he sees the Hauptmann close his eyes and his legs already shaking heavily. Not Troy, but Moffit grabs Dietrich under the left shoulder, when his legs finally give out. "You should be in a sickbay receiving medical treatment, Captain, instead of pulling such stunts!", Troy growls in an accusatory tone. Apparently, this triggers enough of the German's anger rising from wounded pride to get him to open his eyes and try to stand actively again.
The British Sergeant actually smiles wryly, as he remarks with a dry tone: "Good to have you back among us. So you passed the Bisha'a, I assume." Dietrich nods slowly, careful to not get dizzy. "I did. Your advice was invaluable. You have my gratitude, Doctor Moffit." "You can show it by getting us all out of here as soon as possible, Captain", Moffit replies graciously. "The Sheikh has given me time until dusk to evacuate the fort and my men. So your wish should be granted, Sergeant", Hauptmann Dietrich answers with a slight upturn of his lips at the last statement. "What are we waiting for? Let's get to that fort!", Troy urges them on. "You would do well to stay outside and out of sight for the moment, gentlemen", the German officer advises dryly. "Once the fort is evacuated efficiently and the track has to camp outside would be a good point in time to make your appearance." "You mean, once you have been able to set any trap and have every man ready with their guns?", Moffit asks warily, eyeing their enemy with unveiled distrust. "I have given you my word that you have my full cooperation. Also, my men are better off in an Allied POW camp than under suspicion of treason and constant harassment due to my death sentence, if they would continue to stay active." Both Troy and Moffit look thoughtful, as they consider the statement and explanation. "Go ahead with your plan! We will meet you at dusk, Captain", Troy finally agrees. Dietrich who has recovered some of his strength during the conversation is trying to stand on his own feet again, while Moffit still provides him with support for the moment, letting go as soon as he feels the lean Hauptmann succeeding in the task of staying upright. For a man of his height, Dietrich posseses a rather light weight, Moffit observes.
With a sharp salute to the two Sergeants, Hans Dietrich takes his leave, slowly walking down the alley which leads him to the main street headed for the fort. Seeing their Captain properly dressed in his uniform approaching from the outside, the soldiers at guard glance at their Leutnant, unsure how to act. "Herr Hauptmann, hatten Sie Erfolg?", Leutnant Haberfeld calls from his guard post near the gate whether Dietrich has been successful. "Jawohl, Leutnant Haberfeld. Wir haben bis Sonnenuntergang Zeit, das Fort zu evakuieren. Öffnen Sie das Tor!", Dietrich explains the condition of evacuating until dusk, before ordering to open the gate. After hearing the exchange between the two officers, the German soldiers no longer hesitate to actually open the main gate for their Captain on the Leutnant's command, ignoring more than willingly that the man has been sentenced to death the day before.
Slower than his usual crisp walk, Hauptmann Dietrich drags himself into the fort. Determined to not show any more weakness in front of his men, he focuses his efforts on keeping himself upright, as Leutnant Haberfeld approaches him awaiting orders for the evacuation. Dietrich has planned this in his head, while making his way to the fort. "Leutnant, teilen Sie Männer ein, die sich um den Abtransport der Munition und Sprengstoffe kümmern, weiters um die Betankung und Wartung der Fahrzeuge, um die Truppenverköstigung, um den Abzug aus den Quartieren und Büros und beordern Sie Doktor Ludwig, den Transport der Verwundeten zu organisieren", with a clear commanding voice he orders the Lieutenant to put men in charge of evacuating munition and explosives, taking care of the vehicles, the food and water supplies, evacuating the troops' quarters and offices as well as to order Doctor Sommer to organize transporting the sick and wounded. Doktor Sommer is already approaching them at a fast pace, once he has become aware of the Hauptmann's return.
Dietrich feels slightly unnerved by the medic's stare who will definitely note the sheen of sweat on his forehead and the slight shaking returning to his hands and legs. But he has to keep himself upright until he can be sure that all plans have been put in motion properly. "Leutnant, Sie folgen mir zum Büro!", he commands Haberfeld to accompany him to the office. Having ordered all guards to leave previously, they make their way back to the office with Doktor Sommer following unbidden. As soon as he makes it to the room, Dietrich can allow his guard to drop somewhat, as he practically collapses into the stool in front of his desk unable to stay on his feet any longer.
Doktor Sommer immediately takes a step toward him, but Dietrich holds up his left hand motioning him to stop. "Leutnant, es ist Teil meiner Abmachung mit den Alliierten, dass Sie und die Männer sich in Kriegsgefangenschaft ergeben. Das wird Sie und Ihre Familen hoffentlich vor weiterer Verfolgung durch die SS schützen und Zweifel an Ihrer Loyalität aufgrund meines Todesurteils wegen Vaterlandsverrats verhindern", Dietrich explains to his Lieutenant with an exhausted tone that as part of the deal with the Allies the whole unit would have to surrender. Also, he adds that in this way he intends to protect them and their families from the SS and any doubts of the German military regarding their loyalty after their commanding officer has been sentenced to death for treason.
Leutnant Haberfeld is actually so relieved at the chance to escape the situation which in the previous days has escalated to his and all the men's horror that he thanks Dietrich enthusiastically for the opportunity and the negotiation with the Arabs and Allies alike. The Hauptmann then orders him to check the map and plan a route for them out of the oasis, as well as a good place for setting up camp within one or two hours from the town. Leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes in sheer exhaustion, the officer almost jumps, as he hears Doktor Sommer's voice close to his ear. "Hauptmann Dietrich. Sie sollten eigentlich im Lazarett behandelt werden, anstatt hier zu sitzen", Doktor Sommer reminds him that he should rather be treated in sickbay than sitting around here. With a long-suffering sigh, Dietrich opens his eyes. "Ich kann mich sofort ins Lazarett begeben, sobald ich mich in Gefangenschaft der Alliierten befinde. Bis dahin werde ich noch zur Koordination der Lagerevakuierung und der Kapitulation benötigt, Doktor." The German Hauptmann argues that he can be treated in a sickbay, as soon as he is an Allied prisoner of war, but is needed for coordinating the evacuation and surrender at the moment.
Huffing slightly at the man's stubbornness, Doktor Sommer suggests that Dietrich at least have something to eat here, since he missed lunch in the fort. To this the Hauptmann agrees without hesitation and the Doctor takes off, while Dietrich starts discussing potential options for their evacuation route and sites for their night camp with Haberfeld. At a knock on the door a while later, Dietrich calls: "Treten Sie ein!" A very distressed looking, familiar pudgy soldier enters the office after being called in. Willi Gruber carries a tray with a plate containing the officer's lunch and a jug of water with a glass.
Hauptmann Dietrich's eyes narrow slightly, as he recognizes the man from the cellar and the soldier produces an almost whining noise of distress. Leutnant Haberfeld excuses himself to let his superior officer have his lunch and leaves the unequal pair alone in the office. "He... Herr Hauptmann", Gruber starts stammering, as he finds himself in the focus of the officer's steely gaze. "Ich habe alles in die Kantine zurückgebracht, wie Sie befohlen haben, Hauptmann Dietrich." The German officer does not even blink or change his glower, when the nervous soldier explains that he has returned everything to the kitchen as ordered. "Wie lange sind Sie bereits beim Afrikakorps, Soldat Gruber?", Dietrich asks the soldier in a neutral tone which does not betray any emotion how long he has been with the Afrikakorps. "Zwei Monate", the young man answers and gulps visibly.
The skinny officer steeples his hands, as he leans forward without taking his gaze off his soldier. "Sie sind sich dessen bewusst, dass manche Männer bereits zwei Jahre hier in der Wüste waren, wo Wasser und Nahrung keine Selbstverständlichkeit sind. Wenn Sie tagelang nur von einer Konserve leben können, bekommen Sie eine andere Wertschätzung für Essen und die Männer, die mit Ihnen hungern. Sie vertrauen darauf, dass niemand sich mehr herausnimmt als jemand anderer, selbst die Offiziere", Dietrich's tone is grave but not cold, as he reminds his young soldier that instead of mere two months some men have already served two years in Africa and experienced lack of proper food or water. He also points out that the soldiers starving together trust each other to share fairly among each other even the officers. Willi Gruber lowers his eyes too ashamed to look at the man in front of him who has been in Africa for two whole years and suffered from starvation himself, as is obvious from their difference in weight. Even though Hauptmann Dietrich is almost half the length of a head taller than the soldier, the skinny officer weighs at least 30 kilograms less than the pudgy young man.
"Es tut mir wirklich leid, Herr Hauptmann", the Austrian soldier begs for forgiveness in earnest. Dietrich's gaze turns slightly less steely, as he regards the slightly younger man. "Denken Sie an meine Worte, wenn Sie sich in Kriegsgefangenschaft befinden. Solidarität ist ein Eckstein für Sie. Niemand schätzt einen Dieb ... oder einen Verräter", the German officer reminds him that as a POW he should not forget that men consider solidarity as a cornerstone, but do not appreciate a thief, then he struggles with his words for a moment, before continuing with 'or a traitor'. Daring to look up at the haggard and bruised face of his Hauptmann, Gruber can read the earnest warning in Dietrich's brown eyes, but no malice. "Danke, Herr Hauptmann", he thanks the German Captain unsure of what else to say to the man who has been convicted as a traitor, but still returned risking his own life to safe his men from the Arabs. "Sie können wegtreten, Gruber", Dietrich dismisses Willi Gruber after a second which he takes to evaluate, if his message has been received as intended.
His famished body is torn between the need for food and not being used to eating solid food for days. Eating slowly, Dietrich manages to finish his meal, but starts feeling drowsy by the end of it. True to his word to not rest before they are in Allied hands, he gets up and starts preparing the office materials, documents, books, papers and maps for evacuation. Then, with a feeling of dread Hans Dietrich enters his ruined personal room. Many of the letters and photographs on the floor have been torn in some way, but they are still the only written reminders left of his family, so he turns to the tedious and heart-wrenching task of collecting them.
As he picks up a wildly crumpled letter with neat female hand-writing and straightens out the crumpled and partially torn photograph, his heart skips a beat. The letter is two years old now, written by Elisabeth Wolf who has sent him her photograph made on the day of finishing her schooling. With an Abitur Lisel has intended to study medicine, once the war is over, and work as a nurse in the meanwhile. Only in the closed atmosphere of his room with no person around to witness the show of weakness, would Hans Dietrich allow himself to express his grief for her, as he sheds his tears.
Self-consciously, the young Hauptmann reminds himself of the image he has to keep up, as he calms himself enough to stop what his father would have called a display unworthy of a German officer. Yet, Lisel has deserved to be mourned in earnest by at least one family member except for her convicted parents. Pulling himself together, Dietrich walks to his small bathroom cabinet and washes his face with some water. Packing his personal belongings has turned out to be more intense and tedious than he has expected or been used to in the past years of constantly moving from base to base, from battle field to battle field, from desert camp to desert camp. All his personal documents, letters, photographs or postcards of his friends and family, strewn out and requiring collection, openly remind him of days long gone on the one hand. On the other hand, they show him the life he will never be able to return to. Branded as a traitor and thus outlawed by the German side, these interactions with his family, even the family members still alive, will have been the last ones. Neither his parents nor his sister or his brother in law, his uncle or aunt would wish to ever interact with him again, except for turning him in or taking him to his execution.
With a pained expression, Hans Dietrich picks up and straightens every single document and carefully collects them, ordered by senders' identity and occasion, putting Christmas and other seasonal greetings on a separate pile. What he will do with them on the long term is quite dubious to him, but for now he is unwilling to just leave them behind, when the Bedouins will plunder the fort soon. Once this most exhausting task is finished, packing the clothes left to him including the Bedouin kaftan, his shaving set and pack of personal hygiene articles is hardly any work, almost relaxing.
The whole packing has cost Hans Dietrich far more energy than he would have expected of such an every-day task and by the time he has his bag ready by his desk side, he feels so utterly exhausted that even getting up from the stool appears to be a distant fantasy. Intending to rest only briefly, the young officer closes his eyes not to open them again for a while, as he falls asleep in his office chair.