Change of Ways

by The Ravenwolf

Set directly after the the events of the Rat Patrol's final episode, the story follows Dietrich's path into an unsteady future, joining his ways with the Rats and even less expected individuals. Reunions with former friends and foes included. (CHAPTER 1-14 revised!)

31. Libyan Days and Bartolomäusnacht

After drinking up their Scotch Whiskey, the two groups separate again to take care of their respective duties. While Troy, Tully and Gottschlich return to their checking of the ammunition and weapons depots as well as the motor pool, Jack Moffit joins the German Captain for the research into the confiscated German documents. "In addition to the General's assignment regarding the infiltrators, I have a different focus when going through the SS files from my former base as well. If you find any information regarding the confiscation of jewelry and other possessions from people arrested or killed, it would be helpful in order to return at least parts of the jewellery and money we have found to their rightful owners or their heirs." Dietrich looks thoughtful and concerned, when he explains his reasoning. "You know that robbing the rich to give to the poor will only get you deeper into trouble with officials and authorities, Captain", Moffit assesses dryly. "But I'll keep my eyes open for any clues or references." "Thank you, Doctor", the younger German Captain replies gratefully.

An hour after they have started their afternoon research session, Jakob Silberblatt joins them as well. "Ari was quite scared by the shots and it took me a while to calm him down", the Jewish Lieutenant tells his friend with a saddened expression. "Thank you, Jakob", Hans replies with an honest and grateful smile. "Is Hitchcock taking care of him now?" Jakob nods, answering with worry: "Yes. He came after comforting the nurses. What has happened, Hans?" Dietrich pales visibly and briefly a tormented expression settles on his face. "Sara Westwood killed three guards and shot down Major Turner, before we reached her. When I tried to reason with the nurse, one German spy, the Sergeant, convinced her that I would be the head of the infiltrators and to shoot at me. Troy, Pettigrew and the others shot him along with the other infiltrators and the nurse, but luckily missed Atkins", the German summarises the events after lunch concisely to his friend's utter disbelief, as Silberblatt stares at him utterly incredulous.

"And then Atkins told him that he's not suspecting our dear Captain to be involved, as he would be the worst German spy of all time", Moffit adds dryly. "For being too honorable and chivalrous for his own good." Dietrich glares at the Brit, while his friend appears speechless. "I'm not under suspicion for being a spy, because I'm too reckless, drawing more attention than a jar of honey next to a beehive and caring about the irrelevant players in the greater scheme rather than the big players only", the German Captain growls between gritted teeth. "You're not at fault for being an honorable man with a conscience, Hans", Jakob tells his friend reassuringly. "Do you want to discuss this with your General?", the German Captain counters dryly. "Ideally before I have to face a court martial." "Nobody's going to execute you on our side, Hans", the Lieutenant tries to sound reassuring, which is hard given how concerned he is about his friend's attitude. "And Atkins also is your General now."

Tully nonchalantly enters the office tent, interrupting their conversation, and addresses Dietrich directly with unusual urgency sounding in his voice: "You'd better come along, Cap. We found something really bad." Corporal Gottschlich who has entered behind him looks white like a sheet. Moffit creases his brows with worry, as 'really bad' is a term rarely heard from Tully Pettigrew. The German Captain frowns as well in serious concern and inquires with actual worry, as he stands up: "What has happened, Private Pettigrew?" "I didn't recognize it at first, Cap, but when I compared the Aussies' Jeeps with ours, I found that they all have their backup battery connected to the motor, but none of our Jeeps has that", Tully explains and the technicalities lend him some strength to continue with his lengthy description. "I rechecked and found that our batteries had some strange substance inside. Didn't look like normal battery stuff to me, so I took Gotty a little bit outside of camp and tested if the stuff's explosive." The German officer smiles wryly, as he comments with obvious irony audible in his voice: "Why am I not surprised that the first thing you would do is to make something explode, Private?" With creased brows the Captain looks at the visibly shaken Corporal. "I suppose your 'tests' are the reason why the Corporal looks like he is in need of medical care", comes the dry comment. Tully shifts his matchstick in his mouth, while Gotty nods wearily. "I'll take a look at your batteries immediately. Moffit, Jakob, you continue here with the document research!", the German orders with curt precision. "Don't let us keep you from all the fun and action, Captain", Jack comments dryly, while the Lieutenant looks rather worried, but does not want to voice his concern, burying his face in a large file instead. Explosions of Jeeps hold very unhappy memories for Jakob Silberblatt.

Hans Dietrich follows Tully Pettigrew through the camp to the motor pool where the Private shows him the first Jeep standing already with an opened bonnet. Inside, Tully points at the setting of having two batteries, one actually connected to the motor, the other unconnected, but with the cables already connected to the battery's poles which have loose ends tied together and pressed onto the battery surface. The German scowls, then asks the American Private: "Given this setup and your experience with these vehicles. Would you blow up the Jeep when the battery is connected to the motor and it is started or running?" Tully bites down on his matchstick, before answering grimly: "Pretty sure it would, Cap. I didn't try it though." 'Thank goodness', Dietrich thinks.

The tall Captain steps forward to get a better view into the motor compartment and furrows his brows, as he assesses the assembled scenario. In a subconscious motion Dietrich tries to fold his arms behind his back, as is his typical posture for inspections, but winces visibly, as the pain in his shoulder prohibits any such position of his right arm. "How long do you estimate it would take someone with experience to actually connect this fake battery to the motor with the given setup, Pettigrew?", the tall German officer inquires. Tully furrows his brows, as he is thinking about the question and making an estimate in his head. "Maybe a minute or two. If you're really experienced and trained specifically maybe a bit faster", he tells the Captain. "Just what I was thinking. Private, you have found a large-scale sabotage preparation", Dietrich argues sternly, before adding in a lighter, more humorous tone: "Well done. Your affinity for explosives is paying off, Pettigrew." "Thanks, Cap", Tully responds, a little bit unsure, when the German is making one of his jokes and when he is serious.

"You and Corporal Gottschlich, check all vehicles! Disconnect and remove all of these fake batteries! Collect them at a guarded spot and don't leave them unattended!", Dietrich orders, before continuing with a worried expression and tone: "I don't trust people in this camp anymore. When one of the pacifistic nurses can be convinced to start murdering her own soldiers and officers out of patriotism, anybody in camp could have been manipulated to participate in this sabotage and massive destruction, believing to serve the greater good of his country." Tully Pettigrew looks almost concerned, as he bites on his matchstick, nearly breaking it, while Riku Gottschlich is obviously shocked by these words, whispering: "You don't trust anyone anymore, Captain Dietrich?" "I trust you two as well as the rest of our unit and Jakob", Dietrich replies smoothly. "The O'Donnells, Lakatos, Williamson, Brown and Boggs are also among the people I consider reliable to not be manipulated. Other than these, I don't trust anybody in this camp anymore, at least from the Allied side." Tully nods. "Smart, Cap. I don't trust the others either." The German officer smiles grimly, before giving his orders: "You two start with the work on the Jeeps! I will go to the Aussies and recruit support from Captain Brown." With a sharp salute with his left hand, the tall lean Captain briskly walks out of the motor pool toward the Australian camp partition.

"Don't tell me you're missing the whiskey already, Dietrich!", Brown calls jokingly, as he sees the German approach. His grin fades quickly at the sight of the young Captain's grim expression. "Pettigrew has just found evidence of a large-scale sabotage of the Jeeps belonging to Captain Boggs' unit. I ordered him and Corporal Gottschlich to start dismantling the planted explosives, but I require guards to watch the explosives they expose and remove from the vehicles in this way. We could also use some experienced technicians for these Jeeps who can help them, Captain Brown", Dietrich tells him with a serious and concerned tone. The Australian whistles briefly. "Large-scale sabotage with explosives, you say? That sounds bloody dangerous. I'll send Williamson along with the O'Donnells and Lakatos to come with you right away, as they already know and trust you, Captain." "Thank you, Brown", the German Captain replies with honest gratitude. "My pleasure, lad. We're all on the same side here", Brown answers with a grin. Dietrich's eyes narrow slightly at the word 'lad', but he is too preoccupied with the camp's security to invest any time and energy into senseless quarrels with the few allies he has left. "Send your men to the motor pool directly, Brown! Pettigrew will break them in on the situation. I'll inform Captain Boggs and then check on Troy." Brown nods, pats the younger man on the upper arm lightly, before turning to shout for his Sergeant and soldiers to appear for roll call. A bit more tense than necessary, the German stalks off to look for his American CO.

The soldier standing as a guard in front of Boggs' tent, a security measure introduced within the last hour after the attack on the General and his Major, stands at attention, as he sees the young German Captain approach him with a grim expression on his face. "Captain Dietrich", the young man greets with a typically American sloppy salute. "Private Lancing", Dietrich greets him back, saluting properly with his left, before passing the young American by and entering the tent unhindered. Boggs looks up from his desk with surprise that turns into actual concern, as he sees Dietrich's grim visage. "What has happened, Captain Dietrich?" The German Captain stops his brisk walk and takes a deep breath before starting his explanation which goes into detail about the large-scale sabotage through back-up batteries, the recruitment of Australian support and ends with the cautious young officer's concern that anyone could have been brainwashed by the German infiltrator, if he has succeeded with the nurse. The notion that they cannot trust anyone from his unit anymore is particularly disconcerting for James Boggs. For the first time, the older American officer gets an impression of what life must be like for his younger second in command who has learned to live with the notion of being surrounded by his former enemies turned allies who could still move against him at any given time, as Baker and Griffiths have only a few hours after his defection.

"You have taken care of everything that could be done in this regard. Thank you, Captain Dietrich", Boggs addresses the lean young Captain who still eyes him with a certain amount of wariness. "I wanted to inform you on the situation on the one hand, Captain Boggs", Dietrich replies with a professional tone. "On the other hand I require your support, because what I lack are reliable men at the moment. With Moffit and Silberblatt bound doing the research and Hitchcock still on light duty, watching and protecting the boy Ari, Sergeant Troy is currently alone with the task of checking all fuel, ammunition and weapon depots for sabotage. Up until the events around noon and the finding of this massive potential for destruction, I have been less concerned about the speed of this search, but now time seems to be of the essence. The longer we wait and take to check all critical infrastructure, the higher the risk we suffer another sabotage that could be even more destructive than the nurse's attack." Boggs nods at the reasonable arguments. After all he has never had the impression that the young German Captain would not know what he is talking about or doing.

"The problem, as you have pointed out, Captain Dietrich, is that we don't know who to trust anymore", the American Captain admits. "I would never have considered it possible that one of our nurses could turn against the camp like this. In comparison, you are right that anybody could have been convinced with the exception of the most stubborn and self-reliant men." "Then order Lieutenant Griffiths and anybody else who you consider to play in his and Troy's league of being self-reliant and stubborn to help us along, because these are the men we need right now", Dietrich argues coolly. Boggs studies the tall and lean young German briefly, before nodding. "You are right and since you have a gift for dealing with Troy, Pettigrew and the rest of the Rats in a way I have never managed to do, I suppose you know what you're doing by calling all of these special personalities together." For a few moments the American Captain sees the other's temper flare from wounded pride, as he narrows his eyes and glares at him furiously. But then Dietrich seems to regain control, as he schools his face into a neutral expression, only observing him expectantly, as he nods in agreement. "I will call your men together and order them to the weapons and ammunition depots to check for sabotage", Boggs announces. "Thank you, Captain Boggs. Then I can take Troy to help me check out the German tanks."

James Boggs looks incredulous now. "Why would you check out the tanks outside the camp?" Dietrich smirks. "Because they have been on the rim of the camp until yesterday and are the perfect hideout for exchanging documents and items between different conspirators without drawing any attention, as they were far enough outside of the camp's nightwatch fires and thus offered enough protection against casual detection. And as the only vehicles in camp not in active use they would provide perfect hideouts for any incriminating evidence. " The American Captain has to admit that the German has a point there. "Check them out, Captain Dietrich. And report to me, once you have any results." The younger German officer nods and salutes sharply with his left, before turning on his heels swiftly to go and pick up Sergeant Troy, while Boggs sinks back into his chair and sighs wearily. Where are the times, when this camp has still been nice, small, peaceful and quiet?

Grumbling curses about the idiots who have decided to put the weapon crates for machine guns into shelves, Sam Troy rummages through the second bottommost crate for which he has to bend over the casing with the shelf above his head barely leaving him space to move. "Sergeant Troy", Dietrich addresses him sternly, thinking that the American has ignored his approach on purpose. When the startled Troy shoots up, hits his head and starts cursing loudly in his native slang with some Greek terms mixed into it, the German officer cannot help smirking, as he raises his eyebrows in silent amusement. "You can't just sneak up on people like a goddamned cat, Dietrich!", the Sergeant finally snaps at him after finishing his rant against the crate, the shelf and the idiots responsible for the current construction. "I wasn't even trying to sneak, but you seem to be losing your touch, Sergeant, if an amateur like me can surprise you like that", the Captain enjoys telling him in a silky voice. Troy glares at the insolent German officer and snaps a bit less friendly than strictly necessary: "What do you want?"

With a slightly sarcastic tone, Dietrich informs him: "Inform you that you really need this lecture on basic etiquette from Moffit, in particular when it comes to dealing with your commanding officer." Seeing that Troy is about to start a furious response, the German officer raises his left hand in a gesture to stop him from speaking, as he continues with a more serious tone: "I actually came to inform you that I have organised reliable assistance for Pettigrew and Gottschlich from Captain Brown and for you from Captain Boggs. Lieutenant Griffiths and whoever he considers the most unruly soldiers in this camp apart from your... our unit should arrive shortly." The German Captain briefly grimaces at his slipup, but continues with his serious tone: "Instruct them on which crates you have already checked and what to take care of! I will require your aid afterwards for checking the German tanks. Bring two torches along, Sergeant!"

Sam Troy does not gloat on the slipup, as the German's honest struggle is obvious and they have far greater worries now. "Fine, Captain. When do we start?" "As soon as Boggs has sent his men", Dietrich replies coolly. "Why those worst types of the whole camp, Captain?", Troy asks curiously. "Because Captain Boggs and I agree that an infiltrator who has had more than a month's time to convince a pacifistic nurse to kill for him under the pretense of false patriotism, could convince anybody in camp with the exception of the most stubborn and self-reliant people. For this reason I don't have any doubts about any of the men of... our unit, but few others I would trust right now with the exception of our Captain", the German officer explains to him calmly. "You're our Captain", Troy insists stubbornly. "You seem to forget that Captain Boggs is the superior officer for both of us, Sergeant!", Dietrich reprimands him. "And he is not a fool to let himself be manipulated like that." "You're right, Baldy is quite okay", Troy concedes at which the German Captain mutters "I'll pretend I didn't hear that", as he pinches his nose.

"Captain Dietrich", Griffiths bellows with a booming voice, as he enters the tent. "Boggs said you need me and the rest of the folks for a special mission", the American Lieutenant announces, as he provides an almost acceptable salute for Dietrich's standards who returns the military gesture with his left. "Lieutenant Griffiths, gentlemen", the German officer addresses them sternly, while Sam Troy eyes each of them warily, as if suspecting a traitor. "We have the suspicion that the infiltrators could have planted explosive devices in the camp's fuel, ammunition and weapons depots and therefore require you to thoroughly check every box, crate or other container for such explosives. Sergeant Troy will show you which containers he has already checked, so that you can continue without wasting time working double. This mission is essential for the camp. I expect you to do your best, gentlemen." Two of the soldiers mutter among each other, but all salute at the clear command. "We'll do our best, Captain", Griffiths growls with determination. The death of First Lieutenant Winters has shocked him and provides an excellent incentive for doing all he can against the German infiltrators responsible for his friend's fate.

While Troy shows the band of six soldiers and the Lieutenant around and instructs them as the German Captain has ordered, Hans Dietrich observes the men looking for any suspicious behaviour. Boggs seems to have chosen well, as only the two who have chatted before seem to be from the same unit and the rest serve under different officers. Rubbing his aching shoulder in a subconscious motion, the German officer listens with curiosity to Troy's instructions of what to look for, when searching explosives, as the Sergeant argues with how he would plant them. Realizing how much of that would have been valuable to save some of his men's lives, the Captain grits his teeth, as he reminds himself of his own change of sides.

When Troy approaches the German, Dietrich bears a thoughtful expression. "What's going on, Captain?", the American Sergeant inquires, looking around, as if fearing that they could be eavesdropped on. A wry smile passes over the younger man's face, as he replies dryly: "You're starting to get more paranoid than me, Sergeant. I have just reflected how much my ways have changed from those of the German officer I was until a month ago." Self-mockery and pain are audible in his last statement, as he deliberately turns around to lead their way out of the tent. Troy catches up with the tall German's long strides after jogging the first few steps, but leaves him in peace, as the haunted brown eyes briefly meet his own.

"So what are we looking for, Captain?", the American Sergeant inquires instead, after they have crossed the camp to its rim. "You're the experienced commando trooper, Troy, so I would have thought that you have a better idea than I. From my own experience with commandos and infiltrators, I would have expected them to either hide things there that are too dangerous and incriminating to keep in camp or to use it as a place to pass messages and items between different conspirators without allowing them to meet each other or the other infiltrators to keep the actual size of the conspiracy hidden and avoid that the discovery of a single person would allow the whole network to be discovered. After all, they were originally parked at the edge of the camp, making them perfect places for such exchanges." Troy looks impressed. "I've only done such stuff like exchanging items secretly a few times with people much better in this cloak and dagger business than I. But you got real talent for this the way you're thinking about that stuff, Captain." The German officer grimaces, but refrains from arguing to spare himself another headache.

After ten minutes of crossing the dunes around their camp, they reach the site of their dune fights against Winters and the fake camp built with the German tanks. "So, how are we gonna do this, Sherlock?", Troy inquires, as he hands the younger officer the electric torch. "I suggest that we check each tank together, as I lack the strength and mobility to open metal hatches and doors with my injured arm and you likely don't know all the hidden places where the tank crews keep their bags and supplies", Dietrich replies with calm logic. "Okay, Captain. Let's shake it!", Troy declares with a grin and sees his interlocutor grit his teeth, glaring at him.

The lean German officer leads their way to the first vehicle and starts climbing it with surprising agility given that he actually cannot use his main arm. "Open the hatch, Sergeant!", the Captain orders, feeling slightly uncomfortable for not being able to support the American. Without much struggle, Sam Troy has done as he as asked, but lets the German officer enter first. Climbing down the ladder with only one hand takes some dexterity that Hans Dietrich manages easily after having trained horse riding stunts in his youth. Providing some light with the torch, he starts to look through the classical stashes his men have used, pointing Troy to several the American Sergeant is not familiar with.

Five minutes of searching reveal nothing and the two climb out again with Troy closing the hatch behind him. "One down, nine to go", Troy comments sarcastically. When no answer is forthcoming, he whirls around warily, already reaching for his gun, only to find the German Captain crouching next to the tank's chain. Apparently, Dietrich is working on something with his hands, bearing a concentrated expression with creased brows. When jumping down from the upper level, Troy shouts: "What've you found?" "Some piece of cloth got caught in the chain that definitely doesn't belong there", the former Panzer Hauptmann mutters, clenching his teeth as he struggles to extract the cloth, while each pull sends an impulse of pain through his right shoulder. "Let me help you, Captain!", Troy offers jovially and adds as a joke: "This better not be about your German diligence being unable to live with some rag stuck in your tank chain. I know you Jerry officers." The German officer in question raises his eyebrows in a sarcastic expression. "If you know my flaws anyways, Sergeant, why are you even offering to help?" " 'Cause I also know you'll only hurt yourself, you stubborn smartass. So sit back and relax your shoulder, Captain!", Troy replies with a grin.

"Hey, Captain. Look at that! There was a ring hidden here, wrapped in that cloth", the American Sergeant shouts to Hans Dietrich, after having wrestled the stuck cloth out of the tank chain. Troy stares at the strange symbols on the ring with obvious confusion. "What's that, Captain?", he inquires of the German who draws nearer to get a look himself of the markings Troy is pointing at. The lean young officer scowls, as he picks the ring from the American's hand to study it closely, before he replies with a harsh tone: "SS-Runen. Some pseudo-mysterious hocus pocus about rune symbols they invented to make their dim-witted followers believe that they have supernatural powers, derived from ancient Nordic mythology. But as I'm neither a Nazi nor a SS officer which would require me to be a party member, I cannot tell you more than this, Sergeant." "What does the SS have to do with a party?", Troy asks in slight confusion. Weighing the ring in his hand with an expression full of loathing, the Captain grits his teeth, before he provides an explanation, as he decides that learning about the workings of the German political and military organisations will be important for the Sergeant who apparently until now has neither understood nor cared about the uniform or affiliation of the Germans he has attacked with his unit.

"The Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei is the political party founded by Hitler, the members of which are referred to as Nazis as an abbreviation. Being a party member is a requirement for being part of their private political army, the SS, which is only under the direct command of the party heads, but not of the official German army, the Wehrmacht. Being a member of any political party is even prohibited by law for a Wehrmacht officer which is why all the real political fanatics and sadists have joined the SS, but several serve as soldiers in the Wehrmacht as well, since there is no law prohibiting an ordinary soldier from being a party member", Dietrich explains the complicated situation of the competing German military organisations and the related politics as concisely as possible. "So you couldn't even have been a Nazi", Troy summarises briefly what he has understood as the gist of it. "That is correct, Troy. Otherwise I could never have held a rank as Hauptmann in the Wehrmacht", the German officer confirms. "But of course not being an official party member has not kept some officers of the Wehrmacht from sympathizing with the ideas and ideology of the Nazis, as you are probably well aware of, Sergeant." His tone sounds slightly depressed at the last part.

"Tough luck", Troy comments. "But I'm impressed that we found something here. You're really good at this cloak and dagger business, Captain." With a grim look, he growls: "The next time that damn General tells you otherwise I'm gonna kick his..." "Troy", Dietrich interrupts him, looking slightly embarrassed. "I appreciate your enthusiasm and support, but could you possibly deal with our superiors in a way that does not earn us both a court martial?" "Ignorant and arrogant brass annoys me. That's one of the reasons why I never wanted to make it to Lieutenant", Troy replies with a grin. "Try not to cost me the last of my nerves and sanity before the end of the day, Sergeant", the German sighs wearily, as he puts the SS Ehrenring into his jacket pocket. "So now that we have proof that they actually used the tanks for hiding incriminating evidence, we should be even more careful and diligent with our search, Sergeant." "After you, Captain!", Troy lets him lead the way to the next tank.

Their search of the other nine tanks reveals several folded and hidden uniforms of the SS as well as a SS honor dagger that Dietrich identifies immediately as the side weapon of a SS officer fitting with his uniform. "'Meine Ehre heißt Treue', my honor is called loyalty", the German Captain reads and translates the dagger's inscription with a tone of derision. "As if those swine of the SS would know anything about honor", he seethes with actual fury. "My brother in law had one of these", he explains with a snarl. "He told me proudly and arrogantly that they are obliged to defend the Nazis' ideals with this at all times." Troy looks at the younger man with actual sympathy. "You know better then most that I wasn't particularly lucky with brothers and marriage, but having your sister marry a SS bastard like that must've been really tough for you, Captain." Struggling for the right words he adds: "You got my support when you need it." Dietrich looks rather baffled by the offer, realizes the good-hearted intention, but actually has no intention to speak about this.

In addition to the ring and dagger, they find a disguise kit containing wigs, false beards and hair dye, as well as collection of forged documents with the photo of the false Sergeant wearing some of the disguises, a set of lockpicking equipment and a British, a German and an Italian uniform. "That man was a professional spy", the German Captain murmurs with a truly worried tone and expression, "which makes him all the more dangerous. He was the one who manipulated the nurse and apparently, he has been prepared to shed his identity and move on to the next army under another false identity. I'm not an expert on counter intelligence, but these German and Italian documents look authentic enough for me that I would have let him through, as do the British and American documents." "Holy cow!", Troy mutters, as he realises the extent and level of professionality of the deception. "We need to show this to Boggs." "And General Atkins", Dietrich adds with a stern expression. "This is a danger for the whole camp that might still lurk in spite of the death of its initiator."

"I hate Jerry spies!", Troy growls. "It's good then that I've been declared innocent of any suspicion of spywork, as I would be the worst spy in German history", Dietrich comments dryly. "You're not a Jerry spy and really don't count, since you work for us anyways, Captain", Troy tries to salvage his statement without improving it. "Troy, whatever you say will only make this worse. Just drop it!", the younger officer recommends with a smirk. "I suggest that we split up to check on our collaborators more quickly. You go to the motor pool and check on Pettigrew, Gottschlich and the Aussies! Then go and see how Lieutenant Griffiths and his band of unruly men are faring. I'll try to extract a report on the document research out of Silberblatt and Moffit within an acceptable time frame." "Thanks for your selfless sacrifice, Captain!", Troy replies with a grin. "I'll try and save you, before Jack talks your ears off." "What would I do without you, Troy?", comes the sarcastic reply, before the tall German stalks off in the direction of the office tent where Moffit and Silberblatt work on their research.

Troy jogs in the opposite direction toward the motor pool. As he steps inside he finds himself face to face with the aboriginal Australian Sergeant who points a gun at his face. "Who's there?", the soldier barks harshly. "Sergeant Sam Troy. Take down the gun, Williamson! I'm here 'cause Captain Dietrich sent me", Troy growls at him, eyeing the dark-skinned soldier with a certain degree of suspicion. Sergeant Williamson is no less wary of the American, only lowering his weapon slowly and reluctantly, after Troy has identified himself. "What's the situation here?", Troy inquires, looking around suspiciously. A pile of a dozen batteries has been accumulated near the tent entrance where Williamson is standing as a guard. "They're dismantling the Jeeps and taking these bloody explosives out", Williamson growls as an answer and it becomes clear that the situation where they don't know who they can trust anymore is wracking his nerves, as he twitches nervously at a sound from outside. "Easy, man", Troy speaks more calmly like he would with a spooked horse. "We're all on the same side here doing our best to save the camp." "I just prefer an enemy I can see and fight. Distrusting our own men and women even feels like God sent us the devil to punish us for our wicked ways, killing our fellow men every day without qualms or mercy", the Australian mutters nervously and makes the sign of the cross for protection. "I'm pretty sure Dietrich would share your moral qualms, Williamson, but I'm too practical for that. First get your folks out alive, then start asking questions!", Troy tells him nonchalantly.

"Hey, Sarge", Tully shouts and waves him over to the Jeep he is working on with a grease stained Corporal Gottschlich. "We're getting along pretty fast with the help of the Aussies." "Howdy, Troy!", Kevin O'Donnell shouts and waves, while his brother scolds him: "Keep holding that bonnet, Kev!" Troy grins widely. "Looks like you're actually having fun here." Tully shifts his matchstick and Gotty clambers to his feet now, smiling shyly. "We're working well together, Sergeant Troy." "You're doing a great job learning the ropes here, Gotty. We might still make a proper desert rat out of you yet", Troy tells him with an honest smile. "The Captain has to report to that devious rat Atkins. So how long do you guess you'll still take till you're finished here, Tully?" "If we continue working at this speed in an hour or two, Sarge", Tully tells him after a few seconds of careful evaluation. "Excellent. Keep up the good work, Tully, Gotty, and you too, folks!", Troy tells them all, receiving a few whoops from the Aussies. "I'll go and save the Captain from Moffit and his ever talking tongue after checking on Griffiths and his gang." Tully grins, while Gotty looks a bit confused. Williamson salutes wearily, as Troy passes him by leaving the tent.

Sam Troy walks to every fuel, ammunition and weapons depot in camp until he has a pretty good overview. So far, Griffiths and the others have found nothing, as Troy himself has during his own search all morning, but that does not mean that there is nothing to find. Considering his and Dietrich's findings that their main infiltrator has been a professional spy, he might have rigged some of the last places one would ever think about. The gruff Lieutenant seems almost as frustrated as Troy himself a few hours ago at the slow progress and tedious and unnerving task, but the Sergeant avoids letting himself be forced into taking over again by arguing with Captain Dietrich's orders who outranks the Lieutenant. Relieved about his freedom to move around instead of banging his head on stupid shelf constructions, Sam Troy leaves the weapons depot toward the office tent.

"You cannot be serious, Moffit!", in another part of the camp Hans Dietrich mutters with pure incredulity, pinching his nose in a vain attempt to keep his headache at bay. "I have actually put some thought into this, Captain", Jack argues calmly, knowing that the very notion of his suggestion runs against the German officer's principles and rules of behaviour. "I'm not a cryptologist, neither is any of the rest of us, but we don't want our messages and conversations to be overheard and understood by potential co-conspirators convinced by the infiltrator and spy, likely from German Abwehr, and we need to establish this means of communication quickly. Using our common theme for references makes it impossible to comprehend for anybody else, but easy for us without having to apply or crack any cipher, and each of us can easily adapt to it even during conversations. Honestly, Captain, could you imagine Tully Pettigrew sitting down to think about how to tell you about some secret stash, if he needs to look this up in some codebook?" The Captain tenses visibly at the mention of Pettigrew and a stash, looking utterly unhappy with the whole topic of conversation, but concedes: "I see your point, Doctor, and it is of course valid. But..." Dietrich takes a deep breath, before continuing: "Adopting the manner of speech of a tale, book or movie is surely not what can be considered appropriate military conduct and this is already considering that we're talking about the U.S. army and not the Deutsche Wehrmacht. It is one thing to do this as an inside joke among the members of your unit, but a completely different one to widely apply this for communication."

Moffit of course knows that he is right and would wholeheartedly agree with the distressed German Captain, if not for the dire situation they find themselves in, where they don't know who they can trust anymore and who might be eavesdropping on them at any given time. "We will of course still require proper notes and documentations to present to people outside of our inner circle and I agree that we all have to speak normally when dealing with officers and soldiers from outside of our unit and even among ourselves. But for quickly passing relevant information between the insiders which we don't want outsiders to understand, because it is related to a critical mission, this is the fastest and easiest possible way to implement right away without any training required, Captain." Although the German officer is a reasonable man willing to learn from his allies as well as his enemies never mind minor insanity, this scheme pushes his limits. "Hans", Jakob Silberblatt intervenes, "we've done this, when we were children and acted as Karl May's main book characters." A haunted look passes over the German officer's face, as this brings the memories of his dead cousins along, Lisel as well as Walter and Peter, the former navy members. "As you say Jakob, this is children's play, not an adult scheme", Hans argues with a pained expression.

"You have to think out of the box and adapt to what would be irrational for usual adults to succeed as a commando trooper", Jack Moffit argues with him. "If this were Troy's suggestion, I would accuse him of his usual sentimentality and affinity for nicknames, but you, Moffit, have struck me as typically more reasonable", the German holds against him. "Thank you, Captain", Jack replies with a smile. "This doesn't change the fact that I think it would be a very efficient way of protecting our information, while still being able to conduct conversations. We just have to make sure that everyone of us is aware that this is not just a joke now, but actually serious. So we don't apply it for normal topics or jokes anymore, but only for the specific content which we need to conceal. For example we three could reasonably apply the Sherlock Holmes theme as a guise here, referring to you as Sherlock Holmes, Captain, as we have already done for a while now, to you as Mycroft Holmes, the detective's older brother, Lieutenant, and to myself as Doctor Watson. We're working on a case and found evidence which we discuss here in Baker Street. Does that sound good enough for you, Captain Dietrich?"

Hans Dietrich nods with a thoughtful expression, as he evaluates the proposition the British Sergeant has presented to him after summarising their meagre progress in uncovering contact persons or conscripted, turned or manipulated Allied soldiers of Boggs' unit. On the one hand, applying these themes will sound strange, even absurd for anybody trying to listen in on their conversations, when they are talking about the things they wish to conceal, on the other hand it will in this way serve its purpose of protecting vital information from casual eavesdropping. Furthermore, this will finally stop the absurd usage of these themes as mere inside jokes to annoy him, but put them on a more serious and controlled level which is actually a vast improvement in his eyes. "Fine, Moffit. I agree with the implementation of this coding system for the course of this investigation and will evaluate its success and the reasonability of its long term usage afterwards", the German Captain confirms his agreement. Jack Moffit is actually delighted to finally have somebody around with a more scientific approach of evaluating propositions based on evidence and observation rather than just trying the most absurd one and then moving to the next without second thought which has been Troy's typical approach.

Speaking or in this case thinking of the devil appears enough to call him right to their midst, as Troy enters the tent with an almost roguish grin. Dietrich and Moffit exchange worried glances, before the German officer asks sternly: "What kind of mischief have you been involved in this time, Sergeant?" Troy adopts a fake innocent expression. "It wasn't actually mischief. It just ... happened." Dietrich pinches his nose and sighs in exasperation. Will these damn Rats never stop wearing his nerves to a frazzle, when he tries to get some useful information out of them? "What did you do, Troy?", Jack Moffit moves in for the Captain's assistance. "Nothing horrible. I just happened to run into these camel and donkey droppings..." Moffit, Silberblatt and Dietrich stare at him, as if the American has completely lost his mind. "I picked them up, put them into a sack and they might have landed behind the General's tent so he can enjoy the scent during the night."

"Moffit, please tell me that I'm hallucinating and my head wound is making me imagine that Troy is pranking General Atkins with camel dung", Dietrich orders with a tone between dark sarcasm and fatalism. "I fear I'm suffering from the same delusion, Captain", Moffit replies with a similar intonation. "You didn't really do this, Sergeant Troy, did you?", Jakob Silberblatt inquires with incredulity and hopes that it turns out to be just a joke. "Of course I did it. No harm will come to him and nobody can track it back to me", Troy answers stubbornly. Jakob gapes at him speechless. "Sergeant, there's not enough morphine in sickbay to make some of your ideas even close to bearable. And haven't you sworn off pranking your officers?", Dietrich remarks sarcastically. "I've sworn off making it a habit", Troy counters. "Is daily application of pranks not a habit, Sergeant?", Dietrich inquires slyly and with irony. "The Captain is absolutely right", Moffit backs him up. "You stay out of it, Jack! Of course you European snobs join forces", Troy snaps back. "That's because we have been brought up with a proper education", Moffit holds against him. "Could we please focus on our common task, gentlemen?", Jakob Silberblatt finally interrupts them.

"You are right, Jakob. Thank you for being the voice of reason", Hans Dietrich addresses him with honest gratitude. Then, he turns to Troy with a stern and serious expression that makes the Sergeant sober up as well. "Doctor Moffit has made a proposition that could be to your liking, Sergeant, given that you have tried for days to sell me your nicknames and schemes as something useful." Troy looks as baffled as curious at the announcement, while Jack smiles knowingly. The German holds out his left hand in an inviting gesture. "Doctor Moffit, if you would do us the honours of providing an explanation." Moffit's smile widens even further. "It will be my pleasure, Captain." Troy rolls his eyes at their fanciful manner of interacting, but listens intently. "I have proposed to the Captain and he has agreed that we use our already established themes and nicknames for encoding the communication on vital orders or findings. For example, I could ask you now: 'Little John, have you been able to wrangle more information on the Sheriff of Nottingham's schemes from the stable hands working on the coaches in the stables?' You'd understand me, right?" Troy nods hesitantly.

Moffit throws a triumphant glance in Dietrich's direction. "As I've told our dear Robin here already, we can establish a secret code language in this way without requiring lengthy training or codebooks." Troy smiles widely now, as he comments enthusiastically: "That's brilliant, Mof... Friar Tuck!" "So, Little John, what has Much, the Miller's Son, found in the coaches and the stables to counter the Sheriff's schemes?", Dietrich tries the waters with this scheme. "He's found lots of exp... caltrops. Took them out of the stables, so they don't hurt the horses", Troy adapts to the scheme. "I think we're doing well, aren't we? And it took us less than a minute to get into this", Moffit argues. "As Little John has already pointed out, the idea is excellent. I am convinced for now, Friar Tuck", the German Captain agrees. "So Tully's Much the Miller's Son. I'd say Hitch's Will Scarlett. What about Gotty?" "In some legends, there is Will Stutely, a man rescued by brave Robin", Moffit recommends. "That sounds pretty fitting", Troy agrees. "Now that we've established this, let's continue with our actual focus", Dietrich intervenes. "How long will Much still work in the stables with his men?" "He says another one or two hours, Robin", Troy enjoys this way of communication, now that he gets into it.

"I will report the evidence you have provided me with, Watson", Dietrich addresses Moffit, switching the scheme, as he switches the topic. "Excellent, Holmes. I'm sure you will convince Inspector Lestrade and the whole Parliament with the evidence Mycroft and I have collected for you", Moffit agrees, as he switches along with him. Given that this goes against his whole upbringing, the German officer is adapting rather quickly to the scheme. "I'll inform him on what you have managed to find out about ... Guy Fawkes' scheme and the theft of the Crown Jewels", the Captain replies and Moffit smiles widely. He will truly enjoy having the German as an educated interlocutor.

After a weary sigh, Hans Dietrich starts his way to the American General's office tent with a tormented expression, as if he would walk to his arrest or execution. His friend Jakob Silberblatt walks by him and puts his hand on the taller man's shoulder, as he talks to him in an encouraging manner. Troy and even Moffit come along for moral support of their Captain who is obviously uncomfortable with his situation. Refraining from touching the younger man's right shoulder in the light of his injury, Sam Troy grabs him by the upper arm instead to tell him: "Don't worry, Captain. You'll do just fine. I know if anyone can get this chaos under control it's you." Although scowling at the grip around his arm which Troy releases after a few awkward moments, the German officer mutters despondently: "I wish I had your confidence, Troy." "Have no fear, Sir Robin!", Moffit declares. "King Richard will not harm his faithful outlaw fighter." A wry smile passes over the German Captain's face, before he squares his shoulders and walks into the General's tent after saluting to the two guards outside with his left.

Another American soldier is currently presenting a small linen cloth bag to Atkins who looks up with a start at the German Captain. Dietrich can read worry, paranoia and a lurking violence in the older officer's eyes that worries him. "You may leave, Private!", the General waves the soldier off, before turning to the younger officer who stands at attention in a straight stance. "You are one of the last men in this camp I can actually trust, Captain Dietrich. Isn't it ironic?", Atkins inquires rhetorically with a hollow tone, as he scrutinises the tall and lean German officer before him. Dietrich can only agree that the irony of this statement is not lost on him. The General twirls his moustache in an absentminded fiddling gesture that takes the younger officer by surprise, as Atkins has appeared in control and above mere matters around him up until now. "My guard has just found this hidden behind my tent", the American superior officer elaborates with a certain hysteria audible in his voice. Dietrich eyes the linen sack stinking of camel dung suspiciously, as his stomach turns more at the thought how Troy will have to pay for his childish joke if found out than at the actual stench.

"Dung of camels, likely lost by one of our Arabic trade partners who dry it to burn it in their campfires, so that nothing is wasted in the desert", the German Captain tries to reason and draw attention away from the American Sergeant, while inwardly cursing Troy for his stupidity. "It might look and smell like dung, but I'm sure that there are some explosives in there, ingeniously hidden where nobody would bother to look", the American General argues with a gleam of madness in his eyes that Hans Dietrich recognizes from Oberst Bauer, when he has argued that Operation Diamond has only outwardly been about baseball schedules, while most ingeniously encrypting the Allied attack plans. Bearing an expression of exasperation, weariness and incredulity paired with the craftiness of an experienced strategist, he suggests: "As I find myself in command of some of the greatest experts for handling explosives you could possibly find in this camp, may I suggest to let one of my men, for example Private Pettigrew, take care of this ... device." Atkins studies the German Captain intently for a few moments, until breaking into a smile: "An excellent idea, Captain Dietrich, but I insist that you let Sergeant Troy himself handle this, as it requires someone with great expertise and experience in handling such devices which I only trust the Sergeant to have." Dietrich bites his tongue to keep his face straight and his tone serious, as he confirms the American Sergeant's undoubted expertise with such devices as the one in the General's hands. Troy truly owes him for the suffering he puts him through with this insane stunt.

"I came to report on the results of our investigation, Sir. Sergeant Moffit and Lieutenant Silberblatt have supported and now continue on their own to search for contacts and proof of connections with other SS units. They have revealed that Obersturmbannführer Waldheim, who has taken over my former base and been responsible for the massacre of the Jewish populace, before Sergeant Troy and the Rat Patrol have disposed of him and his men, has held a connection to the SS infiltrators of your unit. Sergeant Moffit's and Lieutenant Silberblatt's research has revealed further names of SS officers or Gestapo agents in North Africa, but no connection to the German Afrikakorps as of yet. I assume that they have intended to either kidnap or assassinate you and your highest ranking officers to establish and increase the SS influence here in North Africa and kept several units at hand for this task to call in the closest one for support, when the chance would have arisen. But we still look for sufficient proof and evidence, as currently this is just my educated guess", the young officer reports diligently. Atkins stares at the lean German Captain incredulously. "You think that they were after me for gaining influence?" "You should see that Fieldmarshal Rommel has tried to banish the SS influence from North Africa for a long while. A coup such as this might have gained them the upper hand with Berlin against him, especially after the defeat at Tobruk", Dietrich argues smartly. "I'm almost regretting not being able to keep you around for strategic military analytics, as you have real talent, Captain Dietrich", Atkins really sounds almost regretful. "Please continue with your report!"

"Lieutenant Griffiths and several men Captain Boggs considers reliable from his unit currently check all fuel, ammunition and weapons depots for hidden explosives, but have not yet come upon any explosive device or other means of sabotage. Private Pettigrew, Corporal Gottschlich and some reliable Australians from Captain Brown's unit dismantle explosives found in the Jeeps of the American unit's motor pool which the Private has been able to discover and make me aware of. Sergeant Troy and I have searched the German tanks and found several unsettling things. Apart from several folded uniforms of the SS hidden inside the tanks for later retrieval of their owners, we have found a ring of honor of the SS as well as a SS dagger which is carried as the side weapon of a SS officer fitting with his uniform." General Atkins gasps for breath, twirling his moustache so intently that he winces at the pain. Dietrich meanwhile draws the dagger in its sheath from his belt and retrieves the ring from his pocket to hand both as evidence to the General. "As you can see, both are marked with the SS runes. The ring is rarer than the dagger, as I have hardly ever seen this, while every officer of the SS owns such a dagger. My sister's husband had such a one and told me that it is for defending the honor of the Nazi ideology", the German Captain snarls his explanation. "So one of them was an officer and higher ranking in the SS", Atkins concludes. "That's what I would deduce from this evidence, Sir. High ranking or well connected to the political leaders", Dietrich confirms. "You're better than my good for nothing Lieutenants and Sergeants who didn't even realise that several of their soldiers were SS fanatics", Atkins tells him with an almost fond expression that mixes with his fury.

Staying focused on his task, Hans Dietrich puts a British, a German and an Italian uniform tailored for the infiltrator on the General's desk, then retrieves a collection of forged documents from his pocket which all have the photo of the false Sergeant in it and hands the documents to the General, as well as the collection of disguise utensils and the lock picking set as he considers them further evidence of the spy's professionality. "From what we can see here, General", the German Captain argues, "that man was a professional spy with excellently forged documents, uniforms and further utensils to change his identity at will, as well as opening locked doors. He also was the one who infiltrated Captain Boggs' unit, manipulated nurse Westwood and systematically fed her lies over the course of a full month." General Atkins stares at the evidence presented to him incredulously, but the mention of the nurse brings a mask of hatred onto his face. "That murderous witch will face a court martial, if she survives the incident!", the American snarls with a voice so full of hatred that the German Captain has to suppress flinching visibly. Dietrich bites back a reply, as he realizes that any further argument would do the young woman more harm than good right now, since the General is beyond listening to reason when it comes to the traitor who shot his trusted Major right next to him.

"Your efforts are commendable, Captain! I'm truly regretting not being able to keep you as a consultant", Atkins announces after getting his own emotions mostly under control. "I want reports of the checks of all relevant infrastructure after they are finished. Check on the field hospital and inquire whether the patients are able to be transported tomorrow. Have all prisoners fit enough to be released sent to the POW camp. You will be called to the meeting of officers regarding the camp's evacuation. You're dismissed, Captain Dietrich." Saluting with his left, the young German officer is more than happy to leave, even with the stinking package Troy has landed him with, or rather his own solidarity with the Sergeant has.

Once stepping outside, Hans Dietrich finds himself immediately surrounded by Troy, Moffit and Silberblatt who have waited outside. Struggling hard to keep his face stern and his tone serious, the Captain presents the condemning linen sack with the stench of a whole camel herd to his men, as he declares: "We are to take care of this deviously placed device that General Atkins fears has been deposed by another assassin remaining in camp. I have assured him that as the local reigning experts for handling explosives, we will handle this ... problem with discretion." Jack Moffit looks like he will topple over with laughter at Troy's dumbstruck expression, as Dietrich continues with his mock-serious tone: "I recommended Private Pettigrew given his experience of handling explosives and muck, but the General insisted on you, Sergeant Troy, as you have the greater experience and expertise with such ... devious devices." By now, even the German officer cannot hide his mirth any longer, as he tosses the sack into Troy's arm who catches it on instinct, bearing a disgusted expression. Silberblatt and Moffit are already bursting with laughter. "You know, Troy, the next time you consider an attempt at humor, warn me, so I can desert the camp and ideally the whole army in advance, given that I have not felt so utterly irritated by a senior officer's reaction since a German Oberst has insisted on proving to me that baseball schedules hold the encrypted version of the entire Allied maneuvers in North Africa", the German Captain adds with obvious sarcasm. Even Troy is sharing their laughter now.

Moffit is the first to return to a serious tone, as he explains: "You know, Little John. You can really be grateful to Sir Robin Hood for getting your head out of the noose. King Richard is seriously worried about the Sheriff and his henchmen committing an attack, as it seems." "Wouldn't you be as well after being betrayed by your own brother, usurping the throne?", the German Captain adds in a serious tone, enforcing that paranoia will drive people to madness, since Moffit has already taken care of making Troy aware of the debt he owes him. "The king even wishes us to abandon the siege position here to return to London tomorrow." All three nod in understanding, but Sam Troy cries out almost immediately: "What about Davey? His life's still on the line. They can't just move him like that. He could die!" "I will check on his state with... Maid Marian and her fellow maids", the young German reassures the American Sergeant, before Troy can come up with further idiotic ideas like trying to bully the General into changing his plans at gunpoint which he would not put beyond the American Sergeant, if he fears for his brother's life in earnest. "Don't think I'll let you go there without me, Robin!", Troy demands immediately. Well, at least he will have the Sergeant under his constant supervision, the German Captain muses. Hopefully, this will suffice to deter him from the most immediate notions of madness.

Turning to the British Sergeant and his Jewish friend, Hans Dietrich declares: "Watson, Mycroft. You two return to Baker Street to conclude our mysterious case!" Jack Moffit smiles at the German Captain who has adapted to this way of encoding their communication rather smoothly. "We will meet you at dinner for a report, Holmes", he replies with his best interpretation of the British Doctor which costs him no effort at all. "Take care, little brother", Jakob Silberblatt adds with a smile, truly amused that his Alter Ego Mycroft Holmes is actually the detective's older and intellectually superior brother who is mainly limited by his affinity for actual field work, as Moffit has reminded him. As they both walk to the office tent, he whispers to the Brit: "I really enjoy this code language idea of yours, Doctor." "So do I. And it has been implemented and established rather efficiently by now, don't you think, Lieutenant?", Moffit replies. Dietrich's friend might not be a battlefront soldier, but he is intelligent, educated and a good desk officer in charge of organizing supplies and backup, as well as a talented apprentice in library research and spying investigations. As such the British Sergeant would appreciate him greatly as a member of their unit responsible for communication with their home base, organising support or rescue for the commandos, while staying behind their own lines.

Sam Troy meanwhile walks alongside Hans Dietrich toward the field hospital, taking his duty as bodyguard very seriously, as he constantly looks around sharply and keeps his hand on his gun. Although the behaviour makes the German officer nervous himself, he does not admonish the American Sergeant, realizing that his nerves are on edge not only because of currently distrusting almost everybody from outside of their unit, but also because of worry about his gravely injured brother. That the Americans have to experience in such a way how he has felt since his defection is a twisted irony of fate.

As they reach the field hospital, two armed guards greet them in front of the tent, salute to the German Captain and ask about his intentions. "General Atkins has ordered me to help organize the camp's movement. For this I need to check on the patients' state of health with the medics", Dietrich argues smoothly. "We have orders to check with everyone, Captain. But the General specifically ordered to let you pass", the Corporal among the two guards replies, then salutes and steps out of the way. Saluting back with his left, Hans Dietrich passes them by quickly, while Troy following on his heels merely nods at the two with a grim and wary expression. "Captain Dietrich", Doctor Andrews greets the German officer with a tone of honest relief. "It's good to see you." Raising his eyebrows in quiet astonishment over the enthusiastic greeting by standards of the American medic, the German officer replies: "Doctor Andrews, I'm here on explicit orders of General Atkins to check on the health of the people injured this afternoon, Major Turner and nurse Westwood."

A haunted and tormented expression settles on the American Doctor's face, as he answers the inquiry: "It's still unbelievable that Sara attacked and killed so many of our men. I can't imagine what would make her do that." The Captain realizes that he will get nowhere without providing the other man with some information and reassurance. "Actually, I can understand that after having listened to her and the enemy spy. She honestly believed to protect her homeland and the people of this camp from enemy infiltrators, because she thought that whatever carefully crafted lies that man had fed her were actually true." Andrews bears a grateful expression, as he replies: "Thank you, Captain. That might help to comfort us a little that she was no actual traitor or spy." Dietrich tenses visibly at the usage of the past tense. "She's dead then." Doctor Andrews smiles sadly. "She died an hour ago in spite of our best efforts to save her life. One bullet has pierced multiple organs and another injured her spine", the American Doctor explains.

Now actually worried, the German Captain asks: "What about Major Turner?" "You did a good job stopping the bleeding along with your men. As both bullets went through his body and only pierced the lungs but injured neither large blood vessels nor the spine, the Major has a realistic chance of recovery. But he is still sleeping from the narcotics after the surgery", Doctor Andrews replies seriously and Dietrich nods with a stern expression, before inquiring: "What's the state of Captain Troy? From what we heard in the morning, his recovery was not assured." Andrews' gaze moves from the Captain's to his Sergeant's face who looks as tense as a lion before jumping at a bull's throat. "The Group Captain's alive and rather well given the circumstances. He has even woken up briefly."

Sam Troy breathes out a sigh of relief, as he pats the German officer's left shoulder lightly and grins like a madman. "Davey's too bullheaded to die. Didn't I tell you that, Captain Fox Kit?" Dietrich refrains from protesting against the nickname which for once has not been Troy's invention, but Marcello's. The German Captain also avoids reminding him that the stubborn Sergeant has believed that his brother is already dead for the longest part of the previous day and has been fairly concerned that he could die on this very day. Instead he mutters quietly with dry sarcasm: "That must be a family feat." Too overjoyed and excited to bother about quarreling with the German Captain, Troy drags him along towards the reestablished officer's ward, where Major Bracken has gotten new company in the form of David Troy and Major Turner. "We need to check on Davey!", is a statement that does not allow room for any discussion, the younger officer realizes and quits even considering putting up resistance against the hand pushing his good shoulder.

"Captain Dietrich. Jolly good to see you", Major Bracken enthusiastically greets the younger officer who bears a truly baffled expression and stops short in total surprise. "It can't be the head. Maybe he's been here for too long and finally lost it", Troy whispers into his ear after barely avoiding running into the taller Captain he has been pushing along until his abrupt stop. Too well aware that the loss of dignity in front of the Major would weigh as badly as in front of himself, if he would roll his eyes at Troy's statement, Dietrich instead pulls himself up into a straighter stance and provides a proper salute with his left arm, as he inquires smoothly: "Major Bracken. How can I be of service?" "You can provide me with information what in God's name is happening in this camp that one of my American colleagues lands here after being shot by one of the nurses, no less, Captain", the British officer states with an aloof tone typical for a man of his social standing. "I'll look after Davey", Sam Troy simply tells the German without bothering about the impression he leaves with the Brit.

Crouching beside his brother's cot, the American Sergeant studies the heavily bandaged figure before him intently, while the German Captain behind him starts to explain the events of the last hours and day to the British Major. As he places his hand on David's bandaged arm, Sam vows: "We'll get you outta here and through this, Davey! Don't you worry!" The familiar voice of his brother seems to stir David Troy from his sleep, as he mumbles petulantly: "Lemme sleep, Sammy!" Grinning widely at the recalcitrant reaction the younger man has shown since his childhood to being woken up, Sam increases his grip ever so slightly and laughs with a tone full of relief: "It's good to have you back, Dave!" Reluctantly, David Troy struggles to open his eyes. "What're you doin' here, Sam?", the pilot wonders after gaining more awareness of his situation. "Did you honestly think I'd leave you lying here without checking on you, you moron?" "No, Sam. You've always been the responsible one." "Wonder why they made you the Captain then", Sam comments with humor. "You chose the wrong unit. Pilots are awesome", David replies, tries to grin, but grimaces as talking starts to hurt his burnt lips and face, the longer he does it, and the smile he has tried to produce is actually painful. "Stop the nonsense, Davey", Sam admonishes with gentle sternness.

Meanwhile, Hans Dietrich provides his report to Major Bracken, when he gets approached by another person. "Looks like you are in demand today, young fellow", the Major comments with an almost boyish smile, when a worn looking Deirdre O'Donnell addresses the German: "Captain. I... I heard what you said to Doctor Andrews about Sara and that she was not a traitor or really wanted to harm anybody." The nurse gulps and visibly struggles with the next words, as she puts her hand on the young man's lower arm, holding onto him as if looking for support of an emotional rather than a physical kind. "I... I want to apologize for my behavior, Captain Dietrich. You bear no guilt in what happened to Sara. Danny said it was the spy who told her to shoot at you and that your men had no other option." With eyes red-rimmed from the tears she has shed this afternoon, she meets the gaze of the young officer. "Believe me, Lieutenant. I know what being betrayed by your own allies feels like", the Captain replies with a sympathetic, but slightly pained tone. Deirdre averts her eyes with a guilty expression, as does the British Major who has observed their interaction with interest until now.

Extracting himself cautiously from her grip, Hans Dietrich addresses the nurse: "I hold no grudge against you, if this is what worries you, Lieutenant. However, I know as little as anybody else who might have been manipulated similarly to Sara Westwood and therefore cannot promise you that this will not happen again." Deirdre sniffs with a pained expression. "That's horrible, Captain. Is there anything I can do?" "Keep your eyes and ears open and provide us with a warning, if something appears fishy to you", the young German officer advises. "I'll do that, Captain", Deirdre replies with a smile, then focuses her gaze on his bandaged head and moves it to his shoulder. "And I should also help you with your shoulder and change the bandage on your head. How do both feel?" "My head has bothered me after hours of intense reading and library research, as ordered by the General", the lean German officer replies and Deirdre studies his face intently. "That is not unexpected and not particularly worrisome after a concussion, Captain, but you should take more time to rest. What about your shoulder?" "Very painful, when I try to move it. I suspect that I have landed on it during my fall yesterday, as it has already been better after your previous treatments", the Captain replies after a few moments of hesitation. Looking over to the field bed where Sam Troy is speaking with his brother David, Hans Dietrich offers dryly: "I suppose those two will still require some time, so you might as well apply your treatments now, Lieutenant."

"That's how I've met Browny and come with him here to North Africa to join the LRDG", Sam Troy finishes his tale of what the last years have been like for him. "Bloody hell", David whispers. "I just drifted around after you kicked me out, till I took the boat to England and ended up in London. I tried some odd jobs, met some strange fellows in the pubs, Britain's full of them, Sammy, strange fellows and pubs I mean, and of course I got to know some really pretty gals. When the war started, I volunteered to fight and got myself enlisted with the fliers, 'cause some Brit told me that'd be most attractive for the lasses. Every girl loves a pilot. The rest is history." Sam smiles at David's words. His brother has never really changed. Maybe that has been one of the reasons why he has liked Hitch so much, seeing literally the little brother in him, as some of his behaviour is absolutely like David's.

A pained groan from closeby makes Sam turn around, while David whispers: "Who's that?" "It's the sickbay, Davey. People are groaning and whimpering here all the time", the older brother tells him, then takes a breath and continues in a harsher tone: "It's Dietrich. Looks like Deirdre's treating his shoulder." "Hope he's still conscious. Would be a shame to miss such a pretty girl working on you", David comments lightly and Sam glares at him, remembering how the younger German Captain has collapsed unconsciously, when his idiot little brother has hit him on the shoulder without thinking. "He's conscious, alright. But unlike you, Davey, Dietrich really understands the concept of 'officer and gentleman'." "I have no idea what you're talking about, Sam", David pretends innocence, while trying to move his bandaged head enough to catch a glimpse of the pretty blond nurse with the Irish accent.

"Has the mobility of your arm improved through the treatment, Captain?", Deirdre asks calmly to the young man sitting on the cot, as she starts moving his right arm unbidden. Hans Dietrich is unable to suppress a groan of pain, as the movement makes the cramped muscles the massage has loosened hurt all over again. Deirdre O'Donnell looks worried at the reaction, knowing that the German officer is not among the men who exaggerate their injuries and pain level to catch the nurses' attention at any cost. Carefully directing the limb, she observes the muscles' movement. The German Captain's lean build deludes the watcher by making them think that the starved looking man lacks the strength of a real soldier, but closer inspection reveals quite an amount of wiry muscle and hard sinew that becomes more obvious during the exercises for the various muscles of the shoulder, chest and arms she directs him through, until not only his right arm but his whole upper body is shaking slightly from the strain. "No exercises with Gotty for you today, Captain", Sam Troy comments as he steps toward his younger commanding officer. "And given how tired we'll all be after today, I'd say we'd better all postpone this until tomorrow."

"You're right, Sergeant", Dietrich concedes reasonably, still trying to catch his breath and recover his normal tone of voice. "Wait, Sergeant! I still have to bandage his head", Deirdre O'Donnell interrupts Troy, when he wants to help the German officer get dressed again. Directing the Captain's face in such a way that she can apply the gauze, Deirdre O'Donnell works with practiced efficiency to clean the area of the wound, where Lisa has cropped the officer's hair short, before reapplying the bandage around the young German's head. Hans Dietrich has closed his eyes during the proceedings to avoid having something splash or fall into them. Thus, the larger hand gripping his left shoulder lightly takes him by surprise, making him start, while the nurse's hand gently but professionally directing his head is not unexpected or unwelcome. Deirdre O'Donnell puts a hand gently on his bruised right shoulder to indicate him to open his eyes. "You should still be careful with both your injuries, Captain Dietrich", she addresses the young German officer in a friendly, but serious tone. "Sergeant Troy can help you now with getting dressed, as he has been waiting to do", she adds with a smile that makes the German furrow his brows.

"Let's get you presentable again to get back into the action, Captain", Troy comments, as he holds out the lean officer's shirt that's still a bit too loose on him. "We'll see how more much action we'll face when moving the whole circus from A to B or whether we'll start physical training sessions only once the injured half of the unit has recovered enough to profit from this. Don't think that you can weasel your way out of classes for languages and etiquette with the same ease, Troy!" Helping the younger officer into his shirt sleeve Sam Troy comments with a grin: "You're even worse than our schoolmaster when we were kids, when you're going on about your lessons in etiquette. He always spanked Davey for his crazy stunts." "You got me into them, Sammy", David complains from his cot and starts coughing from the strain on his damaged lung. Deirdre squats at his bedside and speaks gently with him, before giving him something to drink from a glass of water with a straw.

"He's back to catching the women's attention. You should have seen him watch the nurse during your exercises and bandaging your head", Troy tells the German in a whisper, winking conspiratorially. "What crime have I committed to be drawn into this conversation, Sergeant?", the Captain asks sarcastically, as he buttons his shirt single-handedly with his left. "Others would be delighted to be sitting shirtless with the camp's pretty young nurses", Sam comments and observes the younger man blushing slightly. "Don't start like Hitchcock! This topic has already cost me enough nerves", Dietrich counters wryly. "It's absolutely inappropriate behaviour for an officer, as I will gladly remind your brother of myself, if the need arises. When he's up to such nonsense again, I assume he's indeed doing pretty well." "You bet, Captain", the Sergeant replies with honest relief, as he observes his brother, desperately trying to flirt with the nurse which is almost made impossible by the bandages covering the vast majority of his body and the burns of his face prohibiting him from actually producing a smile.

"Major Bracken, we will involve Lieutenant Johnson in the preparations for moving the camp. According to the medical reports from this morning, all of your men are well enough for transportation", Dietrich addresses the British officer. "Thank you, Captain, for your diligence. I'll be looking forward to some fresh air and a change of scenery", Major Bracken replies dryly. "I expect to hear a report from Johnson." Even though he tries, the German Captain finds himself unable to move his right arm to the level of his shoulder after the pain and strain of the physical exercises. Finally, he settles for saluting with his left again, although the British Major tells him to take care of his injury and leave the salute. Stubborn as a mule, Troy assesses, and congratulates himself on the smart idea to forgo salutes in the first place, whenever he can.

Leaving the officer's ward, the German Captain looks around in search of one of the medical doctors. As soon as he sees Doktor Sommer, he approaches the medic with a serious expression. "Hauptmann Dietrich", Sommer addresses him in his usual manner. "Doktor Sommer. Wie geht es den Männern?" Speaking in German makes it perfectly clear that the men whose health he is asking about are the German soldiers. "Selbst die schwersten Fälle sind mittlerweile stabil genug für den Transport, Herr Hauptmann", Sommer reports that even the worst cases can be transferred safely. Dietrich breathes a sigh of relief. "Das sind gute Neuigkeiten. Wem geht es gut genug, um entlassen zu werden, um mit den Kriegsgefangenen den Transport zu teilen?" Relieved about the good news, the Captain inquires who is well enough to be released from the field hospital to be transported with the POWs. Sommer recounts a dozen names from Dietrich's, but mostly from von Stolberg's unit which the Captain memorizes diligently, checking on each of the soldiers himself and repeating the name.

Then, he turns to his two soldiers with a different set of problems than merely physical ones. "Feldwebel Nemet, Gefreiter Bauer", the German Captain addresses the duo. Wolf Bauer, who has been sitting on the edge of his friend's cot to chat with him, shoots up to stand at attention, as he stammers: "Ha..Hauptmann Dietrich. Was tun Sie hier?" Dietrich raises his eyebrows in an expression between amusement at the reaction and exasperation at the stupid question what he is doing here. "Ich sehe nach meinen Männern, Soldat Bauer. Aufgrund der komplizierten Situation des Lagers kann ich Ihnen derzeit keine Versprechen geben, wie es mit Ihnen weitergeht, außer dass ich mein Versprechen erneuere, alles in meiner Macht Stehende zu tun, um Ihnen Bedingungen zu ermöglichen, die sie nicht irgendwelchen Nazis als Mitgefangene ausliefern." Wolf Bauer has tears in his eyes, while his friend, Sergeant Nemet nods in acceptance of his former Hauptmann's sincere promise to do all within his power to support and help them to not end up at the mercy of the Nazis as fellow prisoners in a POW camp. Bauer even steps forward to shake his Captain's hand with gratitude, but draws back in fear when Sam Troy looms over him, glaring suspiciously at the young German soldier. Dietrich then crouches at his Feldwebel's bedside to squeeze his shoulder in a gesture of reassurance which the American Sergeant views with honest sympathy for the gravely injured Hungarian Sergeant who has shown them the graves of Dietrich's soldiers executed by the SS and prayed along with them. This man is no infiltrator or spy.

After having taken care of all German soldiers personally, Hans Dietrich repeats the same routine with the Italians who know him less well, but appreciate him as the officer who has always looked after them and spoken Italian with them. Afterwards, he turns back to all the soldiers discharged from the hospital who have gathered their clothes and few possessions in the meantime. Ulrich von Bibra remains in medical care, but greets the Captain passing by his bedside in such a friendly manner that it astounds Sam Troy who does not recognise the young German aristocrat. Many of the Germans are truly relieved to be released from the sickbay, but all of them are worried, as they have become witnesses of the commotion in sickbay firsthand. Before letting them go, Hans Dietrich provides them with a brief and superficial explanation, assuring the worried men that they are not under acute suspicion of sabotaging the camp.

The men released from the hospital, salute gratefully to the German officer who orders one of the two guards in front of the sickbay to watch the POWs on their way to the prison area. "So what did you tell those guys, Captain?", Troy wants to know. Deciding that any chance to teach the American Sergeant something, because he is actually curious, is still better than fighting against his stubborn resistance against behaving like a student, the German Captain takes the chance to tell him about some important phrases and interactions. "Please leave Private Bauer in peace next time, Sergeant. The young man has been bullied all his life, even been sold into de facto slavery, although that legally doesn't exist in Austria", Dietrich tells the American. "What the heck are you talking about, Captain?", Troy inquires in shock and indignation. "Your eloquence is astounding as always, Sergeant. Wolf Bauer has been given to a rich farmer as a boy to work as a farmhand in exchange for some money to supply his widowed mother and younger siblings", the German officer provides his explanation. "He neither had the chance for attending school nor returning to his family and volunteered for the German Wehrmacht to escape this desperate situation." "Poor kid", Troy concedes. "He's only three years younger than me and no kid, Troy. But he's never had any real chance in life. His girlfriend was arrested and sent to the concentration camp for being of Jewish heritage, his family sold him to the highest bidder, or maybe the only one. You see why I cannot just abandon the young man like everybody else has, including his own parents?" "You're a good man, Captain, always told you so. I won't harm or threaten your guy, I promise", the American Sergeant concedes.

"Let's go get some dinner", Troy suggests, as his stomach provides a reminder in the form of a growl. "You still look awfully skinny to me, Captain." "Spare me the mother hen tactics, Troy", the younger man snaps with slight annoyance, but takes the direction of the canteen tent nonetheless. As they enter, Hitchcock and Ari sit on the bench with Jakob and Moffit. Seeing Ari's tear-stained face, Hans Dietrich crouches, putting one knee to the ground, to be closer to eye level with the child. The boy immediately flings himself at his beloved caregiver and hugs him tightly around the neck, as he starts crying into the Captain's shoulder. "*I heard the shots, but you didn't come back. I thought you were hurt or dead like Eema and Abba*", the child gets out in between sobs that wrack his whole body. Guilt and sorrow register on the German officer's face, as he gets compared to the boy's parents and realizes the grief he has caused the child unintendedly by not stopping by the tent to look after him in between to reassure the traumatised boy. "*All is well, Ari. I'm fine, but I had to work hard for the camp to make sure nobody gets hurt or killed again. Do you understand?*", the young Captain speaks in a calm and reassuring tone rubbing the boy's back in circles with his left hand, as his aunt and Jakob's mother have done with him, when he was in Ari's position as a young child.

After a minute of crying uncontrollably, Ari recovers gradually and finally lets go of his chosen protector and brother to look him in the eyes. "*Do you promise that you will not leave me?*" Hans Dietrich flinches as if struck by a whip, when the words cut him more deeply than the torture device ever would. "*I promise that I will do all in my power to protect you, until you can finally reach your new family*", he offers instead. In spite of his haggling talent, Ari does not possess the age or experience to realise the exact choice of wording and is content with the given promise, even hugging his brother again briefly, before running to Jakob with a squeal of joy, as the young Lieutenant has brought him a plate of food.

"You really look worn, Captain", Sam Troy assesses, when he places the German officer's plate on the table in front of him. "This is worse than being responsible for a whole battalion of soldiers", Dietrich mutters with a weary tone. "It's more personal with a kid", Troy comments wisely, as he pats the younger man on the shoulder lightly. "And the boy's almost like a son for you, at least considering responsibility." The young officer has flinched again at the statement, but nods with a sigh. "Unfortunately, you are absolutely right, Troy." The American Sergeant sits down and leans closer to the tall German, after looking around paranoidly to check their environment for eavesdroppers, before whispering into his ear quietly enough for only the Captain to hear: "If I were one of those Jerry spies I'd set my snitches up to killing you. It already worked with Sara, so it'd work with pretty much everyone else around here too. I don't want you, your friend and the kid to stay unprotected during the night, but putting up nightwatches for both your tent and ours keeps pretty much all of us awake and we've all had a long day." As the American Sergeant lets his eyes wander over the faces of the soldiers around them and even glares in the direction of the officer's table, the German Captain evaluates his words and has to admit that Troy has more than one valid point.

"What do you suggest?", Dietrich mutters quietly, checking his surroundings more inconspicuously without turning his head too quickly and obviously, constantly moving his eyes over the people around them. "You three move in with us", Troy whispers with a serious tone that tells the German that neither is this a joke nor motivated by anything else than the man's honest concern for their wellbeing. For a few moments, pride, stubbornness and more than twenty years of indoctrination with what is a German officer's proper behaviour, stance and duty fight against his rationality, pragmatism and honest concern about Ari or Jakob being at risk because of him. Finally, the German Captain grits out between clenched jaws: "I will speak with Jakob, but I see the reason behind your suggestion, Sergeant. We will need help with the transport of our possessions though." That the American does not even smile but only nods grimly, proves his motivation through worry over a potential threat of their lives. "We can arrange that, Captain", Troy assures him quietly, the focused and dedicated Sergeant through and through.

"Captain Dietrich", Boggs calls to the younger officer, interrupting their discussion. With furrowed brows, his German second in command rises from the table to approach him. "Sitting with the enlisted men?", Boggs comments with a puzzled expression. "Is not appropriate behaviour for an officer, as I am well aware of, Captain Boggs. But as I can currently trust the men of my unit more than the majority of officers of your unit, I have to make substitutions", the taller Captain replies with a grim expression and serious tone, as he stands at attention and meets the other's gaze with stubborn pride. "You will be even more shocked to learn that we are about to join quarters as well, as Sergeant Troy has convinced me of the reasons and necessity. Not only is Ari a traumatised child and Lieutenant Silberblatt such a pacifist that he does not even possess a service weapon, but also am I unable to properly use my main arm which greatly limits my ability for self-defense." Eyeing Dietrich's right arm and tense shoulder, Boggs merely nods with a serious expression, while the younger officer continues his line of argumentation: "The German spy's strategy of pointing at me as the most obvious German infiltrator with the capability to cause serious harm to the camp and its inhabitants is plausible, has already convinced the nurse and puts me at actual risk through any remaining brainwashed targets. So putting up a personal nightwatch is a necessity for me and the Rats who have dealt hard blows to the systematic sabotage and infiltration through their actions today. But we lack the amount of trustworthy soldiers to fulfill this job."

Captain Boggs looks at the tall and lean German officer with honest concern, then lets his gaze pass over the Rats, as well as Corporal Gottschlich, Lieutenant Silberblatt and the boy Ari who observes his interaction with his caregiver with big worried eyes and a quivering lip, even though Silberblatt speaks gently with the child. "I see your dilemma, as you can trust nobody from outside your unit. But you are certainly the last person I would have expected to willingly share his quarters with them", Captain Boggs comments with a hint of amusement laced into his worried tone. "Desperate times call for desperate measures", Dietrich replies dryly with a clear tinge of sarcasm.

Boggs gives him an understanding smile, before returning to his own original request. "I require you to join me in my office after finishing your dinner for a meeting of all senior officers responsible for the different units. Bring Troy along as a bodyguard, if you like, as I will invite First Lieutenant Adams as well as Captain Brown and Lieutenant Johnson. The General has ordered the complete movement of the camp starting with tomorrow. As Brown and I are used to patrol units consisting of many mobile subunits with only minimal extra logistics for moving the offices and sickbay, we cannot compete with your experience and expertise of moving large units, larger and slower vehicles through the desert, as well as guarding POWs along with taking care of large numbers of wounded." The German Captain bears a haunted look that turns into a rather dark and twisted smile. "Given my ... success rates, do you really think that it is a good idea to ask me of all people for such planning and organisation?" "For being constantly within the target area of a commando group and having been under attack more often than anyone else through this unit, you have still been exceptionally successful, Captain Dietrich", Boggs tells him with a tinge of sympathy, but refrains from actually touching the tense young German, lest he actually gets attacked instinctively by the battleworn soldier. With the current mood of distrust and paranoia, this could possibly get Dietrich gravely injured or killed in a first rush of adrenaline and sentiment of soldiers distrusting a German officer on principle, when emotions run wild.

"Sit down with your men again, finish your dinner and take care of the boy who has the look my son used to have before bursting into tears!", Boggs tells the younger Captain. Dietrich looks at him sharply, as this is the most personal revelation he has ever heard from the older Captain. With the typical expression of a proud father, the American officer adds: "My Charly's currently in a military school, finishing his education to become an officer." As his eyes dart back to the table, he adds more quietly: "I've told you that this is no place for a child, but you're not only taking care of the boy, but also treating him in a way that he really loves you like a parent which is admirable given your situation." Seeing the German officer look startled, embarrassed and struggling for words, Boggs smoothly finishes their meeting: "I really don't require an explanation or justification, Captain Dietrich. Join your men and come to my office once you're finished here!" Then he turns back to the officer's table to discuss some topics with General Atkins who has two bodyguards watching him at all times, but still looks around almost as paranoidly as Troy, as if distrusting every single man around. That his trusted aide, Major Turner, has been shot right next to him has truly shaken the General to the core.

Ari immediately huddles to his 'brother', as soon as Hans has taken his seat. The older American Captain scares the boy slightly, as he has never spoken to him in a friendly tone, when they have both been in the sickbay. Burying his face in his caregiver's tunic he mutters muffled by the cloth: "Are you okay, Hans?" Apparently Hitchcock has taught him more than just poetry vocabulary and Moffit even glares at the grinning young Private in an accusatory manner for ruining his attempts of a proper education with his sloppy American expressions. "I'm fine, Ari", Dietrich assures the scared child who has shifted his face to be able to listen to his brother's heartbeat. Ari nods after several seconds, but does not move away from his nestling position, even when the German Captain leans forward to speak with his men, while starting to eat his already cooling dinner.

"So what did Boggs want?", Troy inquires impatiently, deciding he has already been patient enough to let the two Captains speak and then wait until the boy is calmed. "Captain Boggs", Dietrich pronounces the title purposefully, "wants me to join a meeting after dinner for organising the movement of the camp tomorrow. You are invited to stay with me as my bodyguard, as I have applied your line of argumentation for why I am actually an attractive target." Troy actually smiles at him. "Thanks, Captain." "Please try to behave in the manner a Sergeant should, when dealing with the camp's Captains", Hans Dietrich counters dryly, before dropping his voice to a whisper. "And keep your eyes open for the Sheriff's henchmen and their usual tricks, Little John!" The American Sergeant's eyes widen ever so slightly, as the usage of the code language means that the German officer is actually worried and does not want this order to be understood by an eavesdropper. The others watch the Captain as well and exchange worried glances between each other. Jakob Silberblatt in particular looks concerned that someone could actually target his friend specifically and the meeting of senior officers in general.

Placing his arm around Ari's shoulders, the German addresses him with a gentle, but serious voice: "Ari. You will go with Jakob and Hitchcock. They will bring all our things to the tent of Hitchcock, Moffit and Troy, so that we can stay there. Help them please and behave yourself to make us proud!" A worried expression crosses the boy's face, as he whispers: "Will you come too, Hans?" "I will after helping Captain Boggs", Dietrich replies smoothly and points in the direction of the American Captain. "Will you be hurt?", Ari asks with a voice and expression close to tears and presses his face in his caregiver's tunic. The German officer takes a deep breath. "We only speak about how to help the people here", he moves his arm to show the soldiers sitting on the tables around them, as the boy looks up. "And Troy will make sure that I am not hurt." The American Sergeant smiles widely at that statement, confirming: "I'll take good care of him. No worries, Ari." The Jewish boy looks from his brother to the American and back at the Captain, before he nods and declares with unshakable resolution: "I'll wait for you!" Moffit is close to groaning as he still remembers their first night together, when the boy has been awake and hyperactive on excess sugar. "Don't annoy Jakob and Moffit too much!", the German tells him with a slightly ironic smile, as he notices Jack's annoyance, although the look in his eyes is rather painfilled. "I'll do poems with Mark", Ari answers with a beam and Hitchcock grins at him with a truly fond expression. This is like having a little brother he has never had and he is really enjoying sharing mischief as well as his love for poetry.

"Sergeant Moffit", Dietrich addresses the Brit calmly, "I entrust you with keeping the proper order to my things, while you will transfer them." While the former Cambridge scholar looks surprised, his Jewish friend looks actually hurt. "Hans, I've been sharing this tent with you. We've been friends since we were four years old. How can you just let someone else take care of your things?" The German officer chooses a slightly apologetic tone for his answer. "Jakob. After all this time together, can you really disprove my assessment that Doctor Moffit knows the meaning of 'order' as opposed to 'chaos' far better than you, while your bed alone looks like a band of Fennecs has used it as a playground at any time of the day? Let's not talk about the rest of your things. You know your mother would agree with me." The last part forces a groan from the Lieutenant. Using his mother as an argument is a truly devious maneuver employed by the German Captain. "You win, Hans. She always used to tell me that, whenever she came to my room, only she compared me to you instead of Sergeant Moffit." "Well, now that that's settled, Tully will take care of the beds and stuff together with Gotty", Troy intervenes. "So our plan's all clear to everyone. I'll go with the Captain to this camp evacuation meeting. Let's shake it!" Dietrich grits his teeth at the words that still don't sit well with him, but otherwise does not show any further reaction. "We will meet after the conference to arrange nightwatch schedules. Good luck, Gentlemen!" Briskly the German officer walks toward the exit after providing a sharp salute with his left.

Four guards, one Australian, one Brit and two Americans, stand in front of the tent. "With the pack assembled at the front, any kind of mischief can happen on the other end", the German Captain mutters quietly enough for only Troy to hear. Scowling, the American Sergeant growls quietly: "You're really my master student, Captain. I'll organise proper guards and keep my eyes open." The four soldiers salute to the duo and get immediately addressed sharply by Sam Troy, while Hans Dietrich passes them by with a salute.

"Captain Dietrich", Boggs greets his younger colleague. "What exactly is Sergeant Troy doing out there?" The German Captain answers dryly: "Redistributing security measures according to his vast experience with sabotage and espionage. Having all guards in the same place and leaving the rest of the vicinity unchecked is a dangerous mistake, especially when you have the manpower for avoiding it. I've had enough camps sabotaged or spied on to have learned that lesson." "Looks like we should all learn a little bit more from our own men as well as our enemies", Captain Brown comments with as much seriousness as amusement. Boggs nods in agreement, then declares: "We have to organise the evacuation of the camp in such a way that we can move tomorrow at latest by noon." "Our Bedouin trade partners should provide the last of their deliveries tomorrow and the day after. We could move after their arrival tomorrow and arrange for the last delivery to reach us in our new location. Their caravan has at least the reach of our vehicles, in particular if we intend to take the British and German tanks along", the German officer argues calmly. "I agree with Captain Dietrich that the tanks have neither the speed nor range of your Jeeps", the British Lieutenant Johnson supports the German. "You know more about tanks than the three of us", James Boggs concedes, while Brown and Adams nod in agreement. "We trust your assessment."

"So what will be our final destination?", Dietrich inquires. "Tobruk", the American Captain answers. Dietrich nods and assesses: "That's the current Allied bridgehead in Libya, while in the rest of the country the Afrikakorps is still established or on the move to regroup. So what is your intended route?" Boggs looks at him calmly, as he answers: "Your assessment of the difficult situation is quite accurate. Which is why I'm asking you which route you would take, not only considering that we have tanks and trucks in addition to the Jeeps, but also given your knowledge of German bases, Captain Dietrich?" The German Captain is baffled by the question, but recovers quickly. With creased brows he studies the map unfolded on Boggs' desk and considers possible options for routes, assessing their potential risks given his vast experience with the area he has spent the the last months crossing and fighting over.

Brown exchanges a long look with Boggs, while both observe the young German officer. First Lieutenant Adams diligently takes notes to create a protocol for the meeting, while Lieutenant Johnson looks slightly nervous, when no answer is forthcoming within the first minute, although the tall German Captain is drawing the lines of potential routes with his right hand in the air in subconscious gestures. Boggs finally draws his younger second in command out of his reverie by placing his hand on the taller man's shoulder. Although starting at the touch, Hans Dietrich recognizes him in time to not even raise his hand in defence or counterattack. "Would you share your thoughts with us, Captain Dietrich?", James Boggs inquires calmly, as he lets go of the German officer. "There is a southern route for passing south of the mountains from our position to Tobruk. The fort formerly under my command was one of the German strongholds securing this route, others are here, here and here", he points out three map locations. "These are only the large strongholds with solid buildings located in a former caravanserai, and two oases with fortresses such as the one I have been in command of. In addition, mobile German camps can occur anywhere along the route. Normally I would suggest that we move along the courses of wadis, but at this time of the year, November, beginning of December, we run a slightly higher risk of flashfloods, according to the natives' experience."

"Once you've seen what happens to these dry river beds, when it really starts raining, you don't wanna risk that", Brown confirms. "Once you've barely survived being in it, when such a flashflood happens, you'll want to do that even less", Dietrich adds dryly. All four stare at him in astonishment. "I had to ride in the wadis to be hidden from view of the desert patrols, when retrieving medicine from the Swiss Red Cross. It almost cost me my life and I only escaped because the Sheikh lent me a really good horse", the German Captain explains. Captain Boggs smiles, remembering the Arabian stallion he has seen the younger officer riding on. "A truly magnificent beast." Johnson and Adams look astounded and impressed, while Brown remains pragmatic: "With your reckless heroics you really fit perfectly with the Yankees, Dietrich. But let's focus back on our problem at hand. So we have to avoid the wadis and the German forts. I know that the desert in the south holds some nasty tribes and raiders, but given the amount of soldiers we have and the size of the convoy they would be mad to even try attacking us. What's a real problem is supplies. The oases the Jerries hold would be good for resupply with food and water and possibly gasoline, if they have any of that left."

Dietrich glares at the Australian Captain for his insolent comment and frowns at the last statement. "If the Germans still hold the fortresses at all. You should not forget that losing Tobruk at the coast which has been protecting this southern route from the East and the Western part of the route with the loss of my former fort has made them vulnerable to attacks from both sides while simultaneously cutting the supply lines. The two oases could be self-dependent regarding food and water only lacking munitions and fuel, but the caravanserai would face serious problems. Believe me that I know what I'm talking about!" Boggs observes the lean German who according to his file has been one of Rommel's most experienced young field commanders in the German Afrikakorps with two years of frontline experience with the dynamic desert warfare as well as supplying camps and strongholds, while being involved in countless small skirmishes. Without any doubt the American officer takes the younger Captain's word for it that he knows what he is talking about, familiar with the situation in North Africa himself from the past year. If his grandmother would not have been an Englishwoman, he would be in the Pacific now instead of the North African desert, Boggs muses. And if the SS would not have turned against Dietrich, they might have faced each other in such a battle over dwindling supplies rather than collaborating. Boggs really does not want to dwell on what would have happened to his unit, if the infiltrator would not have been revealed in time, as recent events initiated by the German Captain's wariness and active involvement have.

"Do you know the strength of the German strongholds, Dietrich?", Brown inquires meanwhile. Hans Dietrich frowns and considers the question. "I would estimate them at about the size of my unit, a hundred men and a dozen tanks at most. But the survivors of Tobruk are a wildcard. If they have fled to be taken in by their compatriots of the Afrikakorps, this might increase the number of soldiers and warmachines considerably with sufficient supplies available to withstand a siege and the risk of civilian casualties in the form of the Bedouin natives of the oases", the German Captain argues with a worried expression. "Without scouting, it would be madness to risk that", Boggs concludes with similar concern. "You and your British Sergeant are the experts for posing as natives or some other nationality, given you speak the local language and some more even while you even own a kaftan, a dagger and a saber", Brown suggests with a wily smile. Dietrich scowls at the suggestion. "Posing as natives might work for getting into the oasis, but every German officer in the area and more than enough soldiers know my face, Brown. If I don't want to be executed after all, I will require more of a disguise than a simple kaftan worn over a uniform. Fortunately our investigation has uncovered a disguise kit including false beards and hair dyes in addition to to forged documents and a professional lock picking set. We have even confiscated some uniforms from the infiltrators", the German Captain explains with a wily tone.

Noises at the back of the tent interrupt the meeting. All five officers quickly draw their weapons and listen intently, as they hear Sergeant Troy shout: "Got him!" After the few seconds it takes to lead their prisoner around the tent, Sam Troy enters followed by a British and an American soldier leading one of the men from Winters' unit between them. "We caught that snake spying on you", Troy declares, glaring at the man in a truly venomous way. "I... I was just passing by, when he jumped me", the soldier defends himself. His nervous glances and guiltily downcast eyes make not only Dietrich and Troy doubt his words. "This will be evaluated in a proper interrogation, Private Smith", James Boggs announces with an icy tone, Troy has never heard from the level headed Captain before. "Sergeant Troy, hand him over to General Atkins' men, so that a neutral investigation can he conducted, as I would be prejudiced!", the American Captain orders sternly and Dietrich nods his affirmation, when Troy looks at him. "We'll do that. Let's shake it, boys!"

"The sooner we arrive at headquarters the better", Boggs declares with a weary sigh. "This state of constantly distrusting everyone around us, is driving us insane." All nod in agreement, but Brown actually points out: "I gotta take my hat off to you, Captain Dietrich, for dealing with this for a while now and nonetheless putting your own life on the line for the men you distrust and who openly distrusted you, your former enemies." Dietrich bears a pained and wry smile while the look in his eyes is tormented, as he replies: "This has only partially been my choice." "We're aware that you have not willingly betrayed your own side, Captain Dietrich", James Boggs assesses the younger man. "You're an honorable and loyal officer as well as a good man. I have hardly appreciated your openness enough until now." "Haven't you admonished me only a few days ago for being too distrustful towards my new side, Captain Boggs?", the German counters with clearly audible sarcasm. The older American Captain looks guilty. "Unlike you, Captain Boggs, I am now in the position to say that I fully trust my men, all of them, on a professional level", the German adds with a tinge of irony. "Sam will be delighted to hear that", Brown comments sarcastically at which the younger Captain grimaces. "Don't tell him I've ever said that, if you can avoid it!"

"So how do we move the vehicles? And do we leave the tanks behind?", Lieutenant Johnson dares to ask after leaving the senior officers time for their banter. "Considering how limited resources are, tanks are extremely valuable. Leaving them behind here could mean the same as handing the Afrikakorps 13 tanks for their coming battles, if they manage to get the fuel together", Dietrich answers. "Given that Rommel has less than a thousand in all of North Africa that makes more than one percent of their total force. If we cannot take them along, we have to destroy them." "This is a decision of strategic value beyond the evacuation of this camp. I will need to consult General Atkins for this, but your input is greatly appreciated, Dietrich", Boggs concedes. "This leads us to the actual question we have to evaluate, do we have the fuel to get all these tank to Tobruk at all?", the German inquires. "Adams, show Captain Dietrich the list with the fuel supplies!", Boggs orders his aide who starts rummaging through several piles of paper on the desk before handing several sheets to the young Captain. "How many truck and Jeeps do we have to take along?", Dietrich asks sternly. Again Adams looks through the papers then reads the numbers of Boggs' and Atkins' unit to him, while Brown and Johnson provide the numbers for their units. Wincing at the movement, the tall officer picks up a pencil with his right and starts jotting down numbers on an empty piece of paper in a nearly illegible scrawl given his injury.

"Without resupplying with fuel and if nothing unexpected happens, we can take eight of the thirteen tanks along", he finally concludes with a serious tone after two minutes of concentrated calculations and estimation of lengths and fuel usage based on his experience. "I'll let you take care of my accounting in the future, Dietrich", Brown declares, sounding honestly impressed by the quick and efficient estimates and calculations. "I prefer an honest profession. I've lived through two major economic crises in my homeland, so I learned not to trust the financial sector", the German replies dryly. "You will have a hard time in New York City with this attitude", James Boggs tells him with slight amusement having been officially informed about the address of his next of kin, since Dietrich formally is under his command. "So should we bring the tanks along? And should we speculate on looting fuel from the German supplies, if we manage to raid or take over their forts? This will be additional questions for you to present to the General", the German replies sternly, deliberately ignoring Boggs' comment. "I will do this, Captain Dietrich", the American Captain concedes, appreciating the young German's precision and diligence more than ever.

"Regarding the transportation of supplies, the tents, the wounded and the prisoners, I suggest that we form mixed teams of Australians, Brits and Americans from both units working together on each of the tasks, so that we always have an external control through soldiers who have definitely not been in contact with the infiltrators", Dietrich suggests. "Excellent idea", Boggs comments with a beam. "You're really a young fox. Doesn't Sammy call you 'Captain Fox Kit'?", Brown comments with a smile. "Troy calls me by many nicknames and I'm not happy with any of them", the German growls with obvious annoyance. "But they trust you enough to call you to your face. I don't want to know what they call me behind my back", Boggs adds with a smile. "No, you don't!", Dietrich agrees, knowing exactly what they call the balding Captain. Instead he returns to their original topic quickly, before Boggs might come up with the idea of asking him about his nickname: "I suggest to put each Lieutenant in charge of the evacuation of one part of the camp and have them choose two or three Sergeant to delegate further tasks to and help with coordinating their soldiers. It would be best to create the list of the officers and Sergeants and their respective tasks now, so that we can inform them right away and they can already provide orders to their respective men tonight rather than only tomorrow morning." The others agree immediately and after another hour the detailed lists with officers', Sergeants' and soldiers' names have be drafted along with which vehicles and parts of the camp supplies who is responsible for.

Agreeing that Dietrich and his unit who are partially on light duty only will be responsible for an overall security, watching for acts of sabotage during the evacuation phase is quickly agreed on. Brown even concedes to lend him Sergeant Williamson, the O'Donnell brothers and Private Lakatos for the task, as they know the German well and a basis of trust exists between all of them. Captain Boggs and First Lieutenant Adams will be coordinating the evacuation on an organizational overview between the different units and coordinate the evacuation of the offices and official tents. Lieutenant Johnson is put in charge of evacuating the wounded and working along with the medical staff, Lieutenant Silberblatt of evacuating the evidence and General Atkins' office, receiving Sergeant Moffit as support for the task. Lieutenant Griffiths is put in charge of the motor pool's and fuel depots' evacuation, refueling of all vehicles and organizing the Jeeps as front, side and rear guard for the trucks with the supplies, the wounded and prisoners. The troops will ride in the Jeeps and armed vehicles to not use up truck capacity. Lieutenant Baker will be put in charge of evacuating the ammunition and weapons, Lieutenant Carlos who is among the more moderate men and will take care of the prisoners of war with the support of several Sergeants from the American units, as there are several trucks required for the prisoners and this task is critical for their security. Lieutenant Baker will be in charge of their food and water supplies which are critical and must not be sabotaged. Lieutenant Williams finally will take care of keeping their radio connections up at all time and having the technical equipment loaded safely onto a truck.

With this settled the senior officers disperse. While Boggs walks to discuss the question of the tanks' evacuation or destruction with the General, First Lieutenant Adams walks off to inform the officers of their respective duties. Johnson turns to inform Major Bracken on the situation and the evacuation, while Brown walks alongside Dietrich to accompany the German who intends to check on the night watch and double the guards, adding Brits and Australians to the Americans to keep a neutral control on potential traitors. Sam Troy who has been lurking in the darkness that has fallen in the meanwhile to keep an eye on the office tent, approaches them after a few steps. "Did you manage to organize everything for tomorrow, Captain?" Both Captains nod and Troy grins widely, as he reports: "Watching the tent was smart. We really caught that one guy and scared off another two who looked like they might have considered sneaking around and eavesdropping on your meeting."

"Well done, Sergeant", the German Captain acknowledges in an appreciative tone. "Your friend specifically declared that he's the only American officer who can still trust all his soldiers. Looks like that's absolutely true", Brown declares with a grin, as Dietrich bears an expression like he would like to strangle him immediately. "Trust is a basis for friendship", Troy delightfully turns the knife the Australian has already rammed into the German Captain's side. "This is hardly the time and place to discuss such topics", the young officer grinds out with a slightly pained expression. "Would you prefer a discussion over a glass of whiskey at our campfire?", Brown offers with a grin. "No, Brown. Moffit is already trying to turn me into an alcoholic, but he's at least offering French champagne in addition to mature Scotch Whiskey." "Both are real snobs", Troy provides unbidden. "Watch out, Sammy! Hang out with this type long enough and you become like them a some point", Browny warns. "What's 'this type' supposed to mean, Brown?", the proud young German inquires indignantly. "Smart, educated people like you, Captain Dietrich, and like your British Sergeant. You tend to educate your surroundings and all of a sudden normal fellows like Sammy here don't talk to ordinary folks like Williamson or me anymore."

Dietrich blinks and briefly is at a loss of words, before arguing: "I remember quite vividly sitting and chatting with your Sergeant, your Lieutenants and you, Brown. What kind of nonsense is this?" "You're really social for a German officer that's true, Dietrich", Brown concedes, "but don't deny that you prefer to keep your distance the rest of the time." "Until a month ago you and your unit still tried to kill me which holds for both of you", the young German argues harshly. A sad expression passes over Sam Troy's face and Brown looks sobered. "You're right. Forgive me, Captain Dietrich." "Honestly, Captain. You can't compare what happened until then to now. Do you really believe I'd harm you?", Sam Troy inquires with an unexpected note in his harsh voice that almost sounds like hurt feelings to the German. Shaking his head, the younger Captain concedes: "No, Troy. I don't believe you'd harm me nowadays." "Good, 'cause otherwise we'd need to have a heart to heart", Troy replies. "I'll send you more soldiers to double the nightwatch, Captain Dietrich. Good night", Brown takes his leave in a surprisingly forthcoming manner that makes Dietrich stare after him warily.

The checks on the nightwatch stations for the camp turn out that due to the general atmosphere of distrust within the camp, everyone is highly alert and not a single soldier at risk of falling asleep, but on the second campfire an Australian approaches the German Captain and whispers conspiratorially under Troy's suspicious gaze: "My partner's been out for the dunny at least three times and been gone for a long while, too long almost." Dietrich looks puzzled and looks at Troy whether he does understand the Australian slang better than he does. "What's he been doing out at the outhouse for so long?", Troy asks back and now the German catches up, as this is a term he is more familiar with. "Dunno, Sergeant. Just wanted to let you know, Capt'n", the Aussie reports and takes his leave again, casting his American colleague a suspicious glance. "Thanks, Private", Dietrich tells him, while Troy already approaches the American in a threatening manner and starts inquiring the younger soldier about his toilet trips.

The German Captain meanwhile observes the interaction and the man closely with his own left hand leisurely laid on his gun to draw it immediately should the need arise. Noting when the soldier's stance changes and he starts to reach for the weapon at his belt, the young officer barks: "Troy, watch out!", while drawing his gun. "Stop, soldier!" While the German points his gun at the slightly surprised soldier, Sam Troy does not hesitate to hit him in the stomach and over the head, which makes the man topple over. "He would have surrendered", Dietrich admonishes with a light tone. "Now, he definitely won't put up any resistance", Sam Troy argues with a smile. "Your logic is undeniable Sergeant, but you will find that my logic is undeniable as well. A conscious man can walk on his own. Now you will have to carry him", the German officer argues with dry sarcasm. "True enough, Captain", Troy admits with a smile, as he disarms the soldier, confiscating his gun and combat knife, before heaving him over the shoulder. "We bring him to Atkins. He's still looking for the devious assassin responsible for the sinister device. I don't want to disappoint him", the Captain suggests with dry humor.

Both silently share the joke on the General's cost, as they approach the interrogation tent, where more men than just the soldier Troy has arrested before are currently under investigation. "This paranoia is escalating too quickly", Dietrich mutters silently with a serious and worried expression. "This is like the infamous Bartholomäusnacht." "What?", Troy inquires puzzled. "It's a famous massacre that happened during the wars of Catholics against Protestants in France. In the night of the wedding between a Protestant Prince and a Catholic noblewoman, thousands of Protestants were massacred after being invited for reconciliation in light of the wedding", the German officer mutters his quiet explanation. "Why do you know such things, Dietrich? I thought Moffit's the scholar", Troy asks incredulously. The Captain actually smirks, as he replies: "Learning military history was very important for a future officer in the eyes of my father in order to learn from historical mistakes and methods of warfare." "I've told you already that you're a Jerry smartass and this really proves it, but it's pretty impressive nonetheless, Captain", the American Sergeant counters, before he hands his unconscious prisoner over to guards, the General seems to have placed here specifically for this purpose.

"That's really all the Captain owns?", Jack Moffit asks Jakob Silberblatt who is trying desperately to get his suitcase closed after having thrown his clothes and blankets into it without bothering about folding anything. After having picked up the saber and dagger and placed them on the bed to fold them into the blanket, the British Sergeant has put the neat piles of folded clothes together on two piles with the American crusher cap and the goggles now attached to it placed atop one pile and the Australian hat on the other pile. The only other visible possession of the young officer is a cloth satchel on the ground containing the Arab kaftan, the last pieces of his German's former Afrikakorps uniform and his Wehrmacht officer's cap atop several letters and papers. A sad expression passes over the Jewish Lieutenant's face, as he shakes his head. "That satchel you hold in your hand, Sergeant Moffit, holds everything he has escaped with. And technically the uniforms are not even his personal possession." Moffit nods in understanding. Hans Dietrich has escaped with hardly anything but his naked life after literally losing almost everything. The Captain's request to keep his eyes open to return the goods the SS have confiscated to their rightful owners and heirs originates from more than just honor and diligence, it speaks of a deep understanding what losing everything you have ever possessed means in addition to losing your freedom, friends and family. He still has to share his findings with the German officer, but this can definitely wait for another one or two days.

Meanwhile, Hitch guards their tent and tries to distract Ari from his worried waiting for the Captain by telling him about one of his favorite story books as a teenager, The Jungle Book. The orphaned boy can immediately relate with the main character of Mowgli and his being adopted by the leader of the pack Akela and becoming brother of the wolves and a member of the pack himself, just like he feels with the patrol soldiers more and more. The story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the small mongoose, defeating and killing not just one but three poisonous snakes to defend the family that has adopted him truly warms his heart. "That's like Fritz!", he tells Hitch enthusiastically who immediately agrees. "Absolutely true, Ari. The little dog killed the poisonous viper to defend you like your brother Hans has told him."

Quickly, Hitch looks over his shoulder to assure himself that the Captain is not within earshot, as the young Private is pretty sure that it would mean hell to pay for him, if the German officer would catch Mark calling him by his given name which he does not even allow Troy to do in spite of their obviously friendly relationship. A movement catches his eye instead and after a flash of worry, as he carries no weapon except for his combat knife and cannot yet use his right hand properly, Hitch breathes a sign of relief, as Fritz comes jumping up at him barking enthusiastically. "Where've you been, Fritz? You've just missed the best of stories", he speaks with the energetic dog that yelps with joy, as he gets scratched behind the ears. "Could you tell the story again, Mark? For Fritz?", Ari inquires with big puppy eyes he has quickly learned to adopt from their dog mascot. "Of course", Mark Hitchcock grins widely enjoying to be in the center of attention and in the company of his favorite dog since Ducky and the boy he starts to consider more and more as his little brother. "So, Fritz, sitz! Let's tell you both the story of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and the evil snakes..."

Moffit glares slightly, when he finds the annoying dog sitting with Hitch and Ari, as they return to their tent with Dietrich's, Silberblatt's and the boy's possessions. Tully and Gottschlich carry the field beds for the three and leave immediately to retrieve the whole tent construction which they will need to load onto their Jeeps tomorrow, if they really are to leave the camp. Once the British scholar realizes what the American Private's story is about, he starts actually smiling. While his father has traveled with him to central Europe and North Africa, his grandfather used to entertain little Jack with stories from his time as a colonial officer in India. If he is honest with himself, his adventurous grandfather and his stories of heroism have partially inspired him to enlist in the army, but his father would likely have killed him for such an admission. "Jack, Fritz is like Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. He saved me from the snake like the mongoose", Ari tells his British teacher of the last days enthusiastically. Fritz yelps with similar enthusiasm as the excited boy, although he does not understand the actual words, but recognizes his name at least.

"What is this commotion all about?", Hans Dietrich interrupts their loud interaction with a stern tone. "Yeah. You can't just have a pyjama party without us", Troy admonishes with much more humor than the Captain who briefly glares at him, before looking back at the assembled group with a strict expression, raising his eyebrows in silent expectation of receiving an answer to his question. Hitch standing next to Moffit and Jakob, entertaining Ari who has been sitting on the ground, but is jumping to his feet now, and Fritz who has been jumping around the whole time already. The dog and the boy compete who will reach the young man first. Luckily, both are small and light, otherwise their stormy greeting would have threatened to throw him off his feet, as Fritz jumps up at the German officer with excited yelps, playfully snapping at his wrist, but licking his hand rather than biting it, while simultaneously Ari hugs the lean Captain around the waist, crying excitedly: "I waited for you. You know that Fritz is like Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Hans?" Dietrich is wondering briefly when exactly he has fallen through the looking glass. After having been in the camp out there, where soldiers accuse and attack each other believing the other to be a traitor, entering the tent with the loving child and the honestly loyal and excitable dog feels like entering a different world for him. Sam Troy seems to share the sentiment, as he bears an almost sad smile while observing the scene.

Ari excitedly tries to repeat the story of the brave mongoose defending his adoptive family against the evil snakes plotting to kill them, but struggles for words every so often only to find himself supported by Hitch, Jack or Hans. "You're like the wolves in the pack with Mowgli", he tells them after having reached the end of his retold story. "You must tell me more, Mark!", Ari demands enthusiastically. "He will, but only tomorrow after you have had some sleep, Ari", Dietrich declares strictly. "Yes, Akela", Ari answers and the German's head snaps up, as he glares at Hitchcock furiously. These damn Rats have managed to infect the boy with their nickname nonsense within a few days. The child innocently continues to explain unperturbed: "You know, Akela is the leader of the pack of wolves. That means he tells all the other wolves what to do, like you. And he adopts Mowgli so he is also a wolf of the pack." Jakob and Moffit look like they will fall over with laughter at the young Captain's incredulous expression, while Troy pats him on the shoulder, laughing himself. "You know you really deserved that, Captain." "Why don't you shut up, Troy?", the German grits out quietly enough to transport his annoyance to the American Sergeant without scaring Ari who still observes him with trusting eyes.

"It's definitely time for rest when you all start to behave in a more childish manner than the actual child", Dietrich admonishes them all sternly, when he has finally recovered. "So who do you intend to send on nightwatch, Captain?", Jack Moffit sheds his mirth quickly. "All those who are still on light duty and freshly released from sickbay will not be put on guard, as this would be too risky", Dietrich argues with a serious tone. "Jakob, you are night owl, but not an early bird. Do you feel up to taking the first shift of two hours?" Silberblatt feels surprised by the amount of trust his friend is willing to put into him. "Yes, of course, Hans", he replies with an honest smile. "Wake Sergeant Troy up for the second watch and you wake Pettigrew for the third watch. Corporal Gottschlich will take the last shift." Troy exchanges a knowing glance with the German Captain and nods approvingly. They both know that the shifts in the middle of the night are the hardest and the Captain has chosen his most experienced and reliable men for this task. Splitting the shifts between four of them leaves each of them enough hours of sleep to be rather well-rested by tomorrow. Troy has to admit that this is a definite advantage of a larger unit.

Dietrich and Jakob Silberblatt take Ari along for getting washed and redressed in the officers' bathrooms and shower facilities. The rest of Rats take turns for using the enlisted men's facilities, such that they can walk in two groups and nobody stays alone or without backup in case of an attack. Once returned and reunited in their rather densely cramped tent, Dietrich focuses on getting the boy to bed, before he finally finds the time to thank Moffit for the diligent transport of his possessions which has been lost due to the previous discussions. Fritz knowing the German Captain's smell perfectly, has already curled up under the correct field bed without ever having been here before. Snoring lightly the little dog stirs a little, when the young man sits down on the bed above him to take off his boots, the only clothing he sheds. Staying battleready is an unfortunate necessity in their current situation in addition to not owning any kind of night clothing that would keep him warm enough during the cold November night.

"Well, Fritz definitely also thinks he's the leader of the pack", Hitch whispers to Ari conspiratorially winking at him, as he passes him by on the way to his own bed, while the young officer has sat down on his bed with the dog sleeping underneath. Sharing quarters with Dietrich, willingly and being not really unhappy about the company, as the German Captain is strict, but not even half as much as Hitch has imagined him to be in his boring and sleepless hours in hospital. So far the lean young officer has hardly acted much different from how Sarge would have and Troy even seems to approve of that.