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!)

38. Exploring Exploding Desert Paths

Fritz whimpers slightly when he feels the man lying next to him shift in his sleep. Hans Dietrich stirs at the sound closeby and tenses when he feels a body pressed against him, waking with a start. "Fritz, du solltest doch am Fußende schlafen", he mutters groggily, as he becomes aware of the culprit. Fritz lays his head on the man's stomach and looks at him through pleading eyes, as if he has understood that he is supposed to sleep at his feet and not at his side. Sighing wearily the German gives up on the idea to move the stubborn animal, as this would likely only result in aggravating both their injuries. Instead he closes his eyes and tries to drift back to sleep. The cold creeping into his bones however keeps him rather awake than letting him sleep again. In addition an annoying scratching sound creeps into his mind which is too far away to be originating from Fritz. If the dog was fit and healthy, the Captain would have sent him off to hunt down the annoying desert rat. But with Fritz injured and himself too badly off to be able to shoot the jerboa he suspects as a culprit from he lying position on the bed, he just tries to ignore the sound and find some sleep.

Moffit has heard the whimper as well on his nightwatch post on the last shift. As Troy has wanted to let the drivers Hitch and Gotty sleep and Tully still has needed rest from his concussion, Sam and Jakob Silberblatt have taken the longest shifts with the Lieutenant starting out, as he is a night owl anyways. Being an early riser, Jack has willingly agreed to taking the last shift before dawn. Hearing the whimper of the Captain's annoying dog that Troy and Hitch in addition to Ari and Dietrich adore and coddle, he briefly intends to ignore it, until his more responsible side gets a hold of him and he enters the tent to check on the German officer and his pet. Compared to the falcon Horus, Fritz is indeed a tame and harmless pet, but also annoying, loud and potentially fleeridden. The British scholar smiles mildly, when he hears Dietrich's softly muttered words and notes the younger man lying down again. As he is about to turn around, Jack hears a soft sound he cannot place at first. Searching the tent intently with his gaze, he takes a few steps inside until he notices where the noise is originally coming from. Sam Troy is clawing on his cot's wooden legs, creating an eerie sound, as his fingernails scratch over the surface. And the worst os it is that he is not even aware of the action, as he appears to be asleep and caught in a nightmare.

As Hans Dietrich opens his eyes for the second time within a few minutes, he notices the dimmed light of an electric torch. Tensing on instinct, the German officer comes to the conclusion that the most reasonable suspicion would be that this is their night guard and not an intruder. But a year of the Rats' most unexpected intrusions at any time has taught him better than to just assume anything, especially anything harmless, and end up ignoring a potential threat in the process. Careful not to move too quickly or stir Fritz who snores with his head pressed against the German's flank, Hans tries to reach for his belt and the gun or dagger there. As Fritz very efficiently blocks the access to his gun holster by lying on top of it, the Captain has to reach for the simple Arab dagger instead and slowly starts to roll to the side to be able to jump to his feet, if the need arises. As he sits up and moves away from Fritz, the little dog starts whimpering again.

Moffit whirls around pointing his gun and the torch at the German Captain who jumps from his cot with the dagger held in his right and takes a fighting position. Staring at each other which only becomes possible for the blinded young officer once the Brit moves the torch away from shining into his eyes directly, they both freeze in the middle of their action. "Was wolltest du mit dem Dolche? Sprich!", Moffit whispers dryly the famous line from Schiller's ballad "Die Bürgschaft", which every German student has to learn by heart at some point during their school life. Smiling in recognition of the line, Hans Dietrich lowers his arm with the weapon and replies likewise: "Die Stadt vom Tyrannen befreien." Although neither is Moffit a tyrant nor any city to free within several days' reach, it is the expected answer to the question of what he wanted with the dagger within the ballad. Their hushed conversation has not been louder than Fritz' yelps. But the dog calms immediately, when he hears Dietrich's command: "Still, Fritz!"

"What is this annoying sound, Doctor?", the German Captain inquires with a whisper, once a look around has told him that the others possess quite a resilient sleep or are used to Fritz' sounds by now. "Troy. Clawing his bed", Moffit replies with a worried scowl. The young officer quietly moves towards him and takes a look at the scene himself with an equally worried expression. "Do you think he hunts jackals or British archaeology students?", Moffit inquires dryly. "Maybe he goes after Horus, the falcon from hell", Dietrich replies just as dryly. "Should we wake him?" "Don't you have enough bruises already, Captain?", the British Sergeant inquires with a serious expression. "There are safe ways as well", the German counters with a wry smile and sneaks back to his cot to fetch his canteen which still contains a bit of stale water. This is a better usage than for washing his face which would have been the original intention.

Emptying the canteen over the Sergeant's head, the Captain stays well out of the American Sergeant's reach, when he awakes with a start and growl. "Steh auf, du fauler Hund!", the German officer adds for good measure. While Troy glares at the young Captain with an angry scowl, Moffit looks like he will burst into laughter. "You goddamned Jerry bastard", the Sergeant snaps angrily. "What was that for?" "Waking you without risking further injury. You were close to leaving scratchmarks on the cot", Dietrich argues smoothly and unperturbed by the swearing. "And I would like to point out to you that I have taken your pranks and escapades with a lot more patience and humor or have you ever heard me swear like that, Sergeant?" Muttering something under his breath, Troy settles for glaring at the insolent German, while Moffit adds insult to injury: "You have to admit that the Captain is correct in every regard, old man." "Shut up, Jack! One of you's already bad enough, but both of you together's a nightmare", Sam Troy growls unnerved. Dietrich steps next to the British Sergeant with a smirk, enjoying that for once he can make Troy share the agony that is usually his to live through, when facing the Sergeant in combination with his allies or his brother. "I told you there are safe ways to wake him", the young German officer mutters to Moffit. "I see I can learn a lot more than High and Low German from you, Captain", Moffit comments dryly with a wide grin.

Turning toward his men who are all awake by now, the tall Captain instructs: "Get ready for the day. Then take down the tent and move our things to the Jeep! All injured have their injuries checked in the sickbay. I will see you at breakfast, gentlemen." The Rats immediately start to rise from their beds and follow along with the command, even Troy although he mutters some curses and swear words while doing so, glaring angrily at the German officer from time to time. Jakob Silberblatt looks at his friend with bleary eyes, but reluctantly gets out of bed as well, while Ari stares at his brother who he hardly has ever experienced in his role as stern diligent military commander. When he meets eyes with the boy though, Hans' expression softens into a smile. "I need to get washed and shaved. You can come with me, if you want, Ari." Although he does not know what 'shaved' is supposed to mean, coming with his brother sounds like a great idea. Jumping out of bed with enthusiasm, Ari runs toward his caregiver and takes his offered left hand.

However, his curiosity finally gets the better of Ari, as they wander through the desert camp. "What does 'shaved' mean, Hans?", the boy inquires from his caregiver who winces slightly. "It means to cut off hair so that you see the skin underneath. Nurse Hartigan has done this with Fritz. You saw the big spot with no hair left where she treated his injury", Hans explains calmly. "Why do you want to lose your hair? You don't have as much as Fritz", the boy inquires puzzled. The German Captain laughs with honest amusement. "No, I don't have as much hair as Fritz. But the hair in my face would grow and look quite ... bad. It's good and proper behaviour to shave off this hair, especially for an officer such as me", he tries to explain. "What's an officer?", Ari continues asking, as they enter the officers' facilities.

Captain Boggs turns and looks at the entering duo of his second in command and the Jewish orphan boy, while Lieutenant Carlos smiles at the child who reminds him of his own son whenever he sees him. "Hola, Ari", he greets the boy who smiles back at him, less shyly after their splashing game the last time they have met. Dietrich hopes that this will save him from an answer for now and starts his morning routine. Ari however has no intention of leaving him alone. "Hans, what's an officer?", he insists on getting an answer. The young captain sighs wearily and points at all of the men present. "We're all officers, Ari. We are the ones commanding the other soldiers", the German explains calmly, as he turns back to the mirror and prepares to shave. By now he is dexterous enough with his left hand to not be troubled by using his off hand for this procedure and speaking with the boy at the same time. "Like Akela with the pack of wolves?", Ari asks after thinking about what his brother has told him. "Yes. Or like the Sheikh in the oasis", the young German Captain replies. "Oh", Ari's eyes widen in understanding. "That's what Jack meant when he said, I have to say 'Sir' to an officer." The other two men smile at the comment, while Dietrich has to keep a straight face to not cut himself.

Ari looks very thoughtful in the meanwhile, then asks: "Is Jakob an officer?" "Yes", comes the curt reply. "And Mark?", Ari wants to know. "No", Hans answers equally monosyllabically. "And Jack?", the boy asks "No", Dietrich answers again. "Sam?", he asks with a slightly shaking voice. "No", the German replies again, as he tries to get finished with his shave. Now Ari looks really puzzled. "How do I know who is an officer and who is not?", the child wants to know. James Boggs finally takes some mercy on his German colleague and bends down to speak to Ari. "That depends on the army. But you can all recognize us from the shoulder loops on the shirt", he explains as he points at the part of the clothing. Ari looks at him and his shirt intently, then back at his brother and finally at Carlos who also comes to them now. "You don't have to worry though, Ari", the hispanic stemming Lieutenant addresses the boy. "Nobody expects you to know that. You're not a soldier after all. But it's of course good behaviour, if you greet an officer with 'Sir', when you recognize them." Ari nods. "Okay." Then, he remembers and quickly adds: "Sir."

"You're a good boy", Hans who has finally finished with his shave tells him with a smile. "And you have your brother's language talent to speak English so well so quickly", Carlos tells him with a friendly smile. Ari grins widely at the compliment and nestles to his caregiver's side. "When I grow up I want to be like him", the child declares with conviction, making the German flinch, as a haunted expression passes over his face, but the Jewish boy continues unperturbed: "And I want to fly and catch birds." Looking up at the other officer, Ari smiles innocently. "I'm sure you're gonna be a great guy, kid!", Carlos tells him with a smile of his own. "Just like your brother." Said brother looks more worn than great at the moment, as he struggles to regain his bearings. "I regularly get impressed by his grasp of languages", Carlos adds, looking from the boy to the young Captain with sympathy.

"How are my ... former men? Have they complied after the speech", the German officer inquires cautiously from the Lieutenant responsible for the POWs. "They were all quiet and compliant. I really can't complain. The only one I have to start watching out from is their Lieutenant. He got really chatty, when he realized that I speak Spanish and therefore understand his strange mix of English and Italian better than most, except for you maybe, Captain Dietrich." Dietrich nods with a bemused smile. "I should have warned you. When he offers to sing for you, simply say no or he will not stop until he gets hoarse. And he's a trained Opera singer. It takes hours for this to happen", he provides his warning with a sufficiently ironic tone to make it clear to Carlos that he should not take this overly serious. "What's an Opera singer, Hans?", Ari wants to know and the German Captain sighs as he continues providing explanations on their way to the sickbay after giving a wincing salute to the two other officers, using his right arm to try its mobility.

Nurse Arno has ended the night shift already and the sickbay is busy with several nurses and two doctors preparing and handing out breakfast for the patients, before they have to get them ready for transport. "Ah, finally. The leader of the pack and his pup", Lisa Hartigan greets them with a roguish smirk. Dietrich is momentarily stunned at the informality and the insolence of the greeting, before narrowing his eyes and purposefully switching to his most formal tone. "A good morning to you, Lieutenant Hartigan", the German officer greets and even provides a salute trying hard to suppress a wince. "I see you only need the right motivation to start using your arm again", the American nurse adds with a smirk that turns into a more sympathetic smile when she looks at the boy Ari, who addresses her now: "Where's Fritz? Is he alright?" "Your little friend will be alright. Don't worry", she tells the child, pinching his nose playfully, as she sometimes does with Hitch or his friend Tully. Ari beams at her, then turns to the tall young officer with excitement shining in his eyes. "Did you hear that, Hans? Fritz will be alright!", he tells his caregiver enthusiastically. Dietrich smiles mildly and compassionately. "I heard it and I'm as happy as you, Ari", he says calmly.

"I suppose Hitchcock has taken Fritz with him again", the Captain tells the nurse with a serious tone. "Actually it was Tully, when he had his concussion checked. But yeah, he took him with him again", Lisa replies, getting up to speak with the young officer again, although she is still far from reaching the tall man's eye level. "How are the men of my unit, Lieutenant?", the German inquires with a tone of actual sympathy and concern laced into his voice. "Tully's pretty much fine. That helmet he usually wears protected him from the worst, I'd say", the nurse tells him. "The Bullhead's another thing though. He ranted about falcons, jackals and English snobs and conspirators for the whole three minutes it took to change his bandage and check the scratches for infection." "You call Troy 'The Bullhead'?", Dietrich inquires, unable to keep his amusement out of his voice. "Fitting, isn't it?", Lisa replies with a smirk. "We call you 'The Fox' by the way. Chances are really low that we'd ever treat your Jerry General, so there's little chance to mix you up." "Are there any further nicknames I should be aware of?", the German officer asks with a sigh. "I think you know the ones from your unit. And I have to admit I like 'Captain Sherlock' as well. It sounds really like the distinguished European gentleman you are", Lisa replies with a grin. Dietrich looks briefly baffled and narrows his eyes at the last part. "What makes you think that?" "Your behaviour, your bearings, your tales you shared. You're more officer and gentleman than even our higher up brass and the snobbish Tommy Major and that says something about you", Lisa replies with a grin. "So should we check on your injuries, Captain Dietrich, or do you want to continue chatting?"

The German blushes slightly to be caught idling and wasting time chatting with a woman instead of staying focused on his duty and the passing time, as he mutters a bit sheepishly: "Of course. Let's start, Lieutenant Hartigan." While she helps the tall officer out of his jacket and shirt, Lisa observes his shoulder's mobility. Regula truly has miracle hands to have gained such a success with a single massage. "I'll call Regula for the massage, which really seems to have helped you a lot", she speaks with a serious tone now and Dietrich nods. "It did help, although it hurt like hell", he admits with a wry smile." Taking a closer look at his bruises and freshly healed gunshot wound, Lisa comments dryly: "Well. I'd expect it to hurt. It already looks painful." She carefully prods some muscle and sinews at the less bruised spot which makes her aware that even though the German looks skinny, he possesses a sinewy physique and more wiry muscle on his lean frame than she would have expected. After grimacing in pain at the first touch, the Captain schools his face into a neutral mask. Ari, who has observed them with worry, nestles against the young man's left side. Hans knows that he will listen to his heart beat which fortunately is not affected by the treatment.

"Ari, can you go and look for Regula?", Lisa addresses the boy. "She will help your brother." Ari nods enthusiastically, eager to help his caregiver. "No running!", Lisa admonishes him sternly, when he jumps up from the cot. Walking cautiously, the Jewish boy starts looking for the Swiss nurse. "Tully said I should ask you for the latest news on the Marlene Dietrich scheme", Lisa whispers conspiratorially to the German Captain who eyes her slightly incredulously. "I would have thought that Hitchcock has already informed you on his 'favourite tale ever'. He couldn't even keep on his stool without falling over with laughter", Dietrich replies dryly. "I haven't seen him since yesterday", Lisa counters. "And you're likely the more reliable source of information. Mark ... gets carried away, when he likes a story." The German smiles with actual amusement now, as he lets her remove the bandage around his abdomen. "You were a bit overhasty when you asked me yesterday about the Marlene Dietrich scheme receiving no attention anymore", the German tells her with a bemused smile, as he sees the curiosity light up in her eyes. Then he delightfully informs her on the request for an autograph first from the actress, then of himself, until he would finally write a Christmas greeting for a young soldier's mother.

Lisa has to pull herself together to not laugh out loud, as this would make their conversation too obvious or cause her patient potential harm, while she reapplies the Captain's bandages around his midsection and his forehead. The American nurse really cannot complain that the young officer wouldn't possess a sense of humor, as he has just proven that he absolutely has, and a tendency for mischief in addition that he definitely shares with his Rats. "May I share this one, unlike yesterday's story, you have entrusted me with?", Lisa Hartigan surprises Dietrich with the considerate question he would never have expected from the chief gossiper of the camp. "Make sure you don't mention the Private's name! I don't want him to be ridiculed for this episode", the German officer admonishes her and the woman actually smiles. "Yeah. You're right. I wouldn't want that either. I want people to have a little bit of fun in dreary times. That's why I love to share stories, especially funny ones like this one." Although he would not have expected it, the Captain can actually understand and sympathize with this attitude.

"Keep me informed on any ... interesting things you might hear", he tells her dryly. "Are you hiring me as an informant, Captain? 'Cause I'm no snitch", Lisa counters. "I don't care about punishing misbehaviour. But clerical duties are a part of an officer's obligation, although not the strong suit of most of your camp's officers", Hans replies with a serious tone that hints to his slightly wounded pride. "You're really the first of the brass to ever tell me that or ask me that", Lisa sounds actually astounded. "That doesn't make it less true. If you are aware of anyone of your patients in need of the ... attention of an officer you can turn to me", the German Captain offers more formally. The American nurse studies his face for a few seconds, before smiling. "I'll do that, Captain." Seeing him close his eyes and nod with acceptance she places a hand on the young man's left shoulder which makes his eyes snap open immediately to focus on her with a wary gaze. "Thank you for caring", Lisa adds in a tone that sounds softer than what Dietrich is used to hearing from the pert woman. "It's my duty, Lieutenant", Dietrich replies and narrows his eyes, as she winks at him. "Of course. That's exactly the words I would've expected from you, Mister Officer and Gentleman." "Spare me any further nicknames!", the German growls in annoyance. "Then let's agree you spare me the movie melodrama and just accept an honest compliment", Lisa counters. "You care about your men. You still care about the fates and lives of your Jerries even though you defected and you definitely care no less about the lives of the guys in camp. You've done some risky stunts for them after all."

The Captain nods curtly, but Ari's and nurse Regula's arrival saves him from a more elaborate answer as the Swiss nurse is rather enthusiastic and proud to hear that her treatment helped the young officer so well that she would be specifically called to his aid. "Wir kriegen das mit Ihrer Schulter schon wieder hin, Herr Hauptmann. Machen Sie sich mal keine Sorgen", she tells Dietrich that they will get his shoulder working again in no time, while she kneads his muscles through and the lean officer keeps biting on his shirt sleeve again to stifle an outcry of pain. Ari has noted his brother's painfilled expression and asks full of worry: "Are you okay, Hans?" The German Captain merely nods, unable to speak right now. Lisa takes the boy by the hand. "Your brother will be fine, Ari. But you should let nurse Regula help him. Do you want to visit David with me in the meantime?" The German officer lets go of his shirt and grits out: "Not Troy. He's a menace and bad influence for the boy." Then a groan of pain escapes him, as he sinks down on the cot again.

Lisa smiles at the outburst. The German Captain truly dislikes the Bullhead's even more bullheaded brother, but she finds the flirtatious pilot absolutely hilarious and entertaining and in her presence within a few minutes he cannot actually do too much harm to the boy's education. David Troy awaits them expectantly. With nothing to do with his time, but lying and listening he has heard as good as everything that has transpired. "Hi, Ari. Hello, most beautiful and entertaining nurse in sickbay!", the younger Troy brother greets them both with as much of a grin as he can muster with his burnt face. "I have to admit you're the more entertaining Troy", Lisa tells him, while Ari pipes: "Hello, David!" David likes the friendly boy just as much the nurses do and says: "How're you doing, kid? Any new adventures?" "I was in a Jeep yesterday. It was so much fun! Mark was fast and we jumped in the air, a bit like flying", Ari tells him enthusiastically and both the nurse and the injured man smile at the description. "So Hitch took you with him in the Jeep?", Lisa inquires curiously. "And Hans and Sam", Ari adds. "You're really lucky to have an older brother looking after you and letting you have fun like that. I know what I'm talking about, Sam's my older brother", David tells the boy with a friendly tone. The boy looks slightly unsure at the statement about Sam, but nods nonetheless. "Hans is the best older brother I ever had. And I already had three", Ari tells him wisely, looking slightly saddened at the memory of his brothers. "He's really taking good care of you", Lisa tells the boy and puts an arm around his shoulders to console him. Smiling bravely, Ari nods.

"Could you do me a favour, Lisa?", David whispers for only the nurse to hear. "What would that be?", the nurse asks with an ironic tone and a roguish wink. "Not that kind of favour, although I wouldn't say 'no' to that either", the pilot replies with a roguish grin of his own, at least as much as he is able to with the bandages in his face. "Could you fetch me Dietrich? I'd really like to apologize to him and try to get on good terms with him", David inquires with an uncharacteristically serious tone. "Don't annoy him so that he starts shouting again!", Lisa tells the pilot sternly with a raised index finger performing the mock role of the strict teacher. "I promise to behave, Miss!", David replies with a smirk. "Ari, you wait here, while I'll get your brother", Lisa tells the boy who nods and turns to David. "Wanna hear a story about how I flew over the ocean and caught a whale?", the boisterous pilot inquires with a smile. "What's a whale?", Ari asks back and David starts explaining: "It's a super big fish and lives in the ocean. Now let me tell you how I caught one..."

When Hans Dietrich steps toward the duo, David is in the middle of describing how he has bound the whale to the bottom of his plane and pulled it out of the water to carry it to a fish market. The German Captain leans against a tent post with crossed arms, while he listens with a mixture of bemusement and incredulity at the absurdity of the tale. Once the RAF pilot has finished, the younger officer comments dryly: "I believe I have told you before that you should refrain from telling the poor boy such utter nonsense, Troy." "Jolly good morning to you too, Dietrich", David greets him and the proud German's eyes narrow at the terrible pronunciation of his name. "Good morning", Dietrich growls, only keeping up formalities for the sake of Ari. "You wanted to talk with me, Captain Troy." In his usual manner when dealing with the more annoying Troy brother, he spits the rank title like an insult. "I think we started off on the wrong foot, Captain", David speaks in a more serious tone and avoids his mistake of speaking the other's name. The German Captain snorts in grim amusement at the euphemism. "That would be an understatement. Ever since entering this camp you have surpassed even your brother in being a thorn in my side and that is an actual feat not easily achieved, Troy."

"Yeah. I know. And I'm really sorry 'bout it. You think we could ... like ... start afresh?", David asks mekely. "Let me tell you one thing, Captain Troy. Captain Boggs and I totally agree that the day you finally leave our camp we will celebrate our liberation", Dietrich counters with dry sarcasm. "Maybe you'd still wish to give me a second chance?", the pilot is not deterred so easily. "And why would I do that?", Dietrich inquires. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, I believe is the English proverb." "I honestly want to change my ways. But my own brother is so deeply hurt that he cannot really trust me and you're my only chance of recreating a connection to him", David tells him honestly and in all seriousness to the German's absolute astonishment, as he would not have expected such a reflected attitude from the superficial, easy going American pilot. Crouching next to the other's cot, Hans Dietrich takes the whole request seriously for the first time. "I doubt I'm the best qualified person to help you, Captain Troy, but I have your brother's best interests at heart. And he could actually need a brother he can trust right now", the younger Captain replies with a thoughtful expression and concerned tone. David breathes a sigh of relief. Compared to Sam, the German officer is meke as a lamb, reasonable and truly cooperative.

"Could we agree on not jumping at each other's throat or crossing blades all the time?", David inquires cautiously. "I did not start this", Dietrich counters with wounded pride. "I know that I started it, even years ago actually, and I'm really sorry. I want to make up for it and most of all I want my brother back", David tells him with honest desperation in his tone. "Haven't you ever done anything that you truly regret and wish to undo, but it still happened?" The German flinches and looks like he has been struck in the face with full force. After gaining control over his haunted gaze and expression, the younger man nods quietly, before replying: "I'll see what I can do for you. But your brother is a lot more wary of you than I am." "That's why I tried to talk to you. He'd listen to you and you're reasonable enough to listen to me", the pilot argues. "You owe me several good explanations, Captain Troy", Dietrich states sternly. "But here and now is neither the right place nor time for this. We will speak at some more appropriate time. You have my word though that I will speak with your brother and try to reason with him." From all the rumours and stories in camp, the German Captain's word is worth more than a written contract, so David merely nods gratefully. "Thank you so much, Diet... Captain!" "You'd better not disappoint me, Captain!", the young officer counters warily . "I won't. I promise." Dietrich intends to see how long it will take for this promise to be broken, but says his goodbye to the injured pilot nonetheless, before taking Ari by the hand and leading him to the mess tent.

"Can you help David?", the boy asks the question Hans has dreaded. "I don't know if anybody can help David Troy, but I promised to help him as best I can", the German replies with a grimace. "Then he will be better soon", Ari replies with a smile. "I like his stories." The German Captain would like nothing more than for him never to hear any further one, but refrains from speaking this thought out loud, as he does not want to hurt the child. "Captain Dietrich", a young soldier startles the young officer who in an automatic reaction of defense moves his hand to his gun holster, before registering who is speaking to him. The freckled red-head has such an archetypal look of an Englishman about him that the Captain barely needs to see his uniform to place him by his looks in addition to his accent. Raising his eyebrows in a questioning manner, the young officer awaits an explanation for the interruption, while Ari presses against his side feeling safer this way. "I'm supposed to deliver these", the young man announces, looking rather embarrassed, as he holds out several folded pieces of paper. Seeing the German's incredulous and wary stare, he adds sheepishly: "They're from the guys from my unit and me as well." As Dietrich still does not move a hand to take the papers, the young man explains: "They're... you asked for written applications, as far as rumor goes, Sir."

The German Captain shakes his head in slight disbelief. "These are all from your unit, Private?" "Yes, Sir", the young replies looking rather uncomfortable in his position. "Most are from the fellas operating yer tanks, Captain. But some are from others as well." "Why?", Dietrich inquires incredulously. "Why would any Brit apply to my unit?" "Sergeant Moffit's in yer unit, Sir", the young man points out. "That's true, but he has served with the Americans for months now. But what possible motivation has anyone else among you?", the young officer asks warily. "Most guys saw you as a commander, when you trained them with the tanks. But then there's also the guys from sickbay who swear you were treating their comrades yourself to help the medics. And Sergeant Bell applied as well and he's not easy to convince", the young Brit blabbers, desperately hoping that the Captain will finally take the papers from him. "Who's Sergeant Bell?", Dietrich wonders, not reaching for the letters, lest he loses his leverage against his current source of information. "He's commanding the Tank Squad, Sir", the freckled Brit replies and the German officer nods in understanding. This man he remembers and would not be opposed against having someone like this serving in his unit, the only problem might be that Troy would be immensely jealous and probably terrorize the poor man.

Finally releasing the young soldier of his awkward situation, the Captain takes the letters from him and thanks him for the diligent delivery. The young Brit salutes and quickly turns tail to return to his friends who are likely hidden somewhere nearby. Eyeing the six loose pieces of paper and two coverts slightly dubiously, the young German finally puts them into his jacket pocket and places his hand on Ari's shoulder. "Let's get you some breakfast. Fritz will be waiting for you", he tells the boy with a gentle tone. "Oh yeah!", the child exclaims enthusiastically and pulls Hans with him to move faster. As they arrive at the mess tent, the Rats and Jakob Silberblatt are indeed already there and Ari first runs to the table to greet Fritz. While Jakob and Hitchcock take care of the boy and the dog, Troy approaches the German Captain who tenses slightly at his dark scowl. "Has something happened, Sergeant?", Dietrich inquires with some worry in his tone. "You still owe me an explanation for this stunt of yours, Captain", the Sergeant growls angrily.

The German blinks briefly, then realizes that Troy is indeed still angry about having been woken through water poured over his head. "Troy, you were not just tossing and turning in your sleep, you were actually loud enough to call Moffit in from the nightwatch and wake me up, because you scratched your nails over the wooden legs of your cot with so much force. I wanted to wake you from whatever nightmare was plaguing you, but Moffit warned me against risking my health by doing so, since you would likely have attacked me and I could not have raised my arm in defense", the young officer speaks with a serious and concerned tone, as Troy puts him under scrutiny. "Hm. I thought you'd be far too serious to just randomly pull some prank", the American finally accepts the explanation. "Moffit could have told you the same", the German officer argues. "I don't care about what Jack has to say. I wanted to hear this from you", Troy rants a bit.

"Speaking of random pranks and annoyances. Your brother sends his regards", Dietrich tells him dryly. "Has he charmed you already?", Sam Troy inquires with a growl. "I told you you're too soft hearted to resist him." "Spare me this nonsense, Troy!", the German snaps back, as his nerves finally become frazzled. "He's your brother for God's sake. Why can you rather befriend a German Wehrmacht officer who has been your mortal enemy than forgive your own flesh and blood?" "Davey's overstepped the bound!", Troy growls. "Yet you still care about him", Dietrich argues. "Give him a second chance, Troy! You need a brother right now at least as much as he does." The American observes the tall German for a few moments intently. "You know I wouldn't have thought I'd ever say that, but Davey's right. You're really our family friend, helping to bring the family back together. Ma would be proud of you." "Don't ask me to write Christmas Greetings to her, signing as Marlene Dietrich's cousin", Dietrich decides to deflect this exercise in absurdity through dry humor rather than anger which works insofar as Troy barks a laugh and puts a hand on the lean German's shoulder, as he suggests in a more friendly tone than before: "Let's get you some breakfast or Ma'll will box my ears for letting the guy starve who tried to get her boys back together." Dietrich grits his teeth, but stays silent for the sake of peace. The Troy clan would be able to wear his nerves to a frazzle even with a whole ocean separating them, as stories about Ma Troy very well prove.

Equipped with the breakfast for the Captain and boy, Sam Troy returns to the table where Moffit is chatting with Lieutenant Johnson and a steaming pot is now standing before him. "We received a delicious gift from our British friends, Captain", Jack explains, as he points at the pot. "I knew nothing good ever comes from the Brits", Troy comments with a disgusted look. "It's a pot of tea, Troy, not the Trojan horse", Dietrich comments dryly, the speaks his thanks to Lieutenant Johnson who appears to be a bit bemused by the exchange. "Indeed. Now don't you violate tea's honour again, old man, or we need to have a serious heart to heart", Jack admonishes his American friend sternly. Hans Dietrich smirks at the course of their conversation and takes a seat next to Moffit who pours him a cup of tea immediately. "Here you go, old chap. Nothing goes over a good cuppa for the morning my father always used to say. Just let me know, when you need some more, Captain", Jack tells the German with his most obviously English manner, as he hands him the cup. "May I get a cup as well, Doctor Moffit?", Jakob inquires politely. "I haven't had good tea, since the last time we left the house of uncle Heinz and aunt Gerti in Kiel." An expression holding from fond reminiscences of his own memories of his family and youth to the pain and bitterness of the reality that they are dead or as good as dead in a concentration camp passes over Dietrich's face at the last sentence and Jakob Silberblatt turns to him to gently console him. "I'm sorry for bringing this up, Hans. But you should probably focus on the good memories connected to them rather than merely the end." Hans nods without speaking a word, but his eyes still appear haunted. All these memories are still too fresh to not haunt him in spite of Jakob's well-meant advice.

"You're surely welcome, Lieutenant Silberblatt, especially when you join the Tea League", Jack Moffit tells the younger man with a smile, as he hands him a cup of tea as well. "Since when do we have a Tea League?", Troy grumbles incredulously, as he puts the breakfasts for the Captain and Ari onto the table. "I've never actually tried that black tea before", Hitch pipes in. "Hitch, you traitor. You can't just join the Tea League of the European snobs!", Troy tells him in an accusatory tone. "I'm just giving it a try", Hitch tries to justify himself. "Anyone else up for a good cuppa tea?", Jack Moffit offers with a smile. Tully merely shakes his head quietly, while Riku Gottschlich tells him politely: "No, thank you, Sergeant. I prefer green tea over black tea." "I'd like to try that once", Jack replies with a friendly tone, as the young Corporal is typically shy and hard to integrate in their social encounters. The younger man looks slightly astounded, but smiles mildly. "I would share a pot the next time my mother sends me some green tea", he offers with a friendly tone. "That's very generous, Corporal", Dietrich who has recovered his trip down memory lane tells him with actual curiosity and gratitude. Gotty looks briefly baffled to be addressed by his commanding officer, but smiles honestly now. "It would be an honour, Sir." And it really feels like this for him. After suffering from prejudice and discrimination ever since joining the army with a Japanese first name and a German last name, having an officer who not only tolerates him, but treats him fairly, values his skills and shows actual interest in what he has adopted and learned about Japanese culture from his mother is an almost unbelievable stroke of luck for him.

Breakfast passes quietly after this, as everyone concentrates on eating their food and relishing the last drinks for a while, as they will only have the liquids fitting in their canteens to drink until lunch. Hitch in addition feeds Fritz with some burnt sausage parts the soldier at the food dispense station has passed to him when getting his own breakfast, whispering quietly: "For Fritz!" Once listening to the report that they have already packed up their possessions, brought the furniture parts to the transport trucks and now only need to take down the tent and bring everything else to their Jeeps, Hans Dietrich nods, looking content. "Well done, gentlemen. Get everything ready and check the vehicles before we leave. We're hoping for a quiet day, but should never rely on it out here in the desert." His slightly haunted gaze speaks volumes about how much he knows about never relying on having a quiet day out in the desert. Nonetheless, he continues in his precise tone: "Driving order is as yesterday. I would rather have you rest for another day after your concussion, Private Pettigrew, and Corporal Gottschlich needs to gain experience as well. Jakob, you will take Ari with you in addition to Fritz." "Can't I come with you again, Hans?", Ari pleads with big eyes definitely reminiscent of Fritz. "But Fritz is all alone and needs you to keep him company or he will whimper and whine all day", the German tells him slyly. This immediately convinces the boy who declares resolutely: "I'll stay with Fritz. I don't want him to be sad and alone."

"You're good at manipulating and tricking children, Captain", Troy tells the younger man with a whisper, as they stand up to leave for their respective destinations, and the proud German officer bristles slightly at the impertinent accusation. "You'd better watch your tongue, Sergeant! I'm not a crook or liar." Troy grins. "Sure. I didn't mean it like that. But you're good at making him believe he made this choice himself and keeping him happy, is all I wanted to say. I wish I would have known how to do that when Davey was still a kid. Maybe I could've gotten him to do something useful on the ranch then." "You can try to learn it now and practice with him, since he is more willing to listen to you than ever and has no chance of escaping anyways", the tall Captain suggests with the same sly tone he usually applies when setting up a trap. "You're trying that thing with me as well, Captain, but I'm no naive kid like Ari. Still, the idea of trying to talk some sense into Davey when he has no way out but to listen isn't such a bad one", Troy counters. "Give it some thought, Troy", Dietrich recommends with a more friendly tone, knowing that the seed has been planted and now he will have to wait for the stubborn Sergeant to give in to his curiosity and urge to get to terms with his brother himself. His promise to David Troy is fulfilled in this way and his word has been kept.

As they walk to their tent, a young American Private Dietrich does not recognize and therefore concludes that he is not from Boggs' unit, approaches them and salutes to the Captain. "Captain Dietrich, please come with me to Captain Boggs, Sir." The German officer nods, telling Troy: "You take care of everything here, Sergeant. I'll be back right after my meeting with Captain Boggs and meet you directly at the Jeeps." Troy eyes the young soldier slightly suspiciously, as he evaluates whether to let Dietrich go with him alone or accompany them, but finally decides that the infiltrators seem to have all been caught and he need not guard the German at all times any more. As the American Sergeant continues on his way, the tall Captain follows the young soldier to meet his commanding officer. Boggs smiles, when he sees the lean younger officer approach and greets him in a friendly manner: "Good morning, Captain Dietrich. I want to discuss a change of plan with you." Dietrich raises his eyebrows in a questioning manner, but focuses his gaze on the older American.

Familiar with some of the German's nonverbal expressions by now, Boggs continues: "I want you and your unit to scout ahead of our column to keep us from running into any unexpected surprises." The younger Captain nods, as he gives the suggestion some thought. "That is reasonable and a luxury I typically could not afford, as the Afrikakorps has no vehicles which can match the Jeeps' speed and maneuverability", he concedes. "How far do you want us to scout ahead and how often to report back?" Boggs thinks about his question now, before replying: "I'll leave this for you to decide based on the situation, but giving at least two status reports at noon and in the afternoon before reaching our intended camp destination would be good." "The rest will be based on what we encounter", Dietrich adds coolly. "We will take care of this, Sir." The German salutes sharply, even using his right arm, although he winces visibly at the movement. "Take care of your shoulder. The treatment seems to have improved it greatly though", Boggs admits. The proud younger Captain does not deign this worthy of an answer and merely turns on his heels to stalk off in the direction of the motorpool.

"Hey, Captain. What did Boggs want from you?", Troy steps toward the young officer, as soon as he approaches them. "He ordered that we will scout ahead of the column and provide reports about potential dangers ahead, quicksand, minefields, enemy patrols, roaming natives, commandos or saboteurs or whatever else might lurk out here", Hans Dietrich replies calmly. "That's smart", Troy admits. "And it's music to my ears that we finally stop this boring going beside the trucks and tanks routine." "I doubt you can call it a routine, when you have only done it for a few hours on a single afternoon, Sergeant. You have more routine with pranking your officers", the tall German deadpans. Hitch grins widely at that comment. "But you're learning really fast from Sarge, Cap." Both Troy and Dietrich glare at him. "Just saying", the Private adds sheepishly. "Do we have any specific points to check?", Moffit inquires matter-of-factly. "During the afternoon we should start looking for an appropriate camping spot for such a large camp. Other than that we're mere lookouts for unknown dangers", the Captain replies sternly. "We'd better get going. Get ready, gentlemen!"

"You're coming with us again, Cap?", Hitch asks the tall German with a smile, when he steps toward the Jeeps and checks on the proper loading of the equipment. "At least for today, Private Hitchcock, as Pettigrew still needs the front seat to instruct Gottschlich. You're freed of my presence from tomorrow onward, if this is preferable for you." Hitch blushes slightly. "No. That's not what I meant. It's really okay to have you ride with Sarge and me... I just wanted to know whether you'll sit in the front or back, Cap." The Captain smiles mildly at the reaction, before telling him: "I prefer sitting in the front given my injured shoulder, as the back is even worse when it comes to tremors." As the young officer rubs his shoulder in a subconscious motion, Hitch nods in understanding. "Sure. Sorry I didn't think of that, Cap." "You can gladly take the front seat as long as you ride with us", Troy comments graciously, as he squeezes the taller German's left shoulder in a friendly manner. "I'm really glad to have you along with us." The Captain merely nods curtly, before picking up Brown's bush hat and his goggles from his equipment and taking his seat next to the driver, where he puts both on. With the bandages around his forehead, the hat is still the only headgear he can wear properly.

Dietrich provides their signal for driving off already before the whole convoy gets on the move. Several soldiers wave at the two Jeeps, as they pass by, the British Sergeant on top of a tank even salutes, when he notices them drive off, and the Captain salutes back. Similarly, Boggs and Dietrich provide a final greeting to each other, before the jeeps take off into the desert- Without having to constantly watch over the column, they can roam more freely and Hitch enjoys to not be the second behind Tully for once, as Gottschlich lets him take the lead. After two hours of driving, Hans Dietrich orders them to halt and checks their position with his compass and the sun, before motioning Troy to follow him up onto a dune, taking their sets of binoculars along. While the drivers are relieved to get a pause and Hitch joins Tully and Gottschlich for a brief chat, Jack stays at the Browning and keeps watch.

"Anything to see?", Troy asks Dietrich. The vulture episodes have taught him to always let the German have a look first. The Captain shakes his head and takes the binoculars down to hand them to Troy. "Not as far as I can see...", then he stops in the middle of the sentence and takes the optical device back quickly to bring it to his eyes again. "What is it?", the American Sergeant demands to know, annoyed to be left out of what the tall officer has found. "Look at those dark spots down there along the roadside", Dietrich points out to him, as he finally hands Troy the binoculars. "Dead animals I would say." "I swear it, Dietrich, if you're dragging me into any kind of strange Egyptian rituals or other mumbo jumbo, you can ask Jack and Tully to take you along, for I'll stay out of it", Troy growls seriously annoyed. "Are you superstitious, Sergeant?", The German inquires with actual amusement. "This has nothing to do with superstition. I just don't wanna see a jackal or any other damned critter these crazy Egyptians worshipped for the rest of my life again." "I would recommend being transferred out of North Africa in this case, Sergeant", the Captain counters dryly. "But since the Egyptians worshipped anything from beetles to jackals and crocodiles ranging even to cats, I fear you will not be safe from the curse even in the United States." Troy glares at him. "You're a Jerry smartass, Captain. It was bad enough, when only Jack would bother me with such stuff, but the two of you put together are really a pain in the buttock." "I feel almost sorry for you Sergeant, seeing that I have suffered from your sentiment regarding the four of your original unit", Dietrich counters with dry sarcasm. Troy glares at him and growls: "Okay. Let's just investigate those dead critters. The sooner we start the sooner it's over."

As they return to the rest of the Rats, they inform them on their findings. "Drive carefully!", Dietrich warns, mainly for the benefit of the inexperienced Corporal Gottschlich. "The dead animals could indicate landmines, poison or gas, all of which are equally deadly for us." "Will do, Cap", Hitch confirms and Tully nods, moving his matchstick in the corner of his mouth with a grim expression. "Isn't it dangerous to get too close, Captain?", Gottschlich inquires, sounding honestly worried. "Not if we are careful. Don't leave the road and follow in Hitchcock's tracks. We will go first and I will check the road carefully", the German officer replies with a serious tone. That announcement is a relief for more than just Riku Gottschlich. "Okay. Let's shake it then!", Troy declares and observes with a content expression that the Captain does not wince at the words, but adds: "Get going, gentlemen."

As proposed by the German, they drive in a column with enough distance between the Jeeps to not endanger the second car should the first one hit a mine. Now that they are driving slower than walking speed, Hans Dietrich adopts a behaviour the Rats have observed with him more often than they can count or remember, he stands up in his seat and through narrowed eyes scrutinizes the sand and path before them. Both Troy and Moffit stand at the Brownings now and observe their environment warily, as the reason for their caution becomes more and more visible without requiring binoculars, the cadavers of several animals, mostly scavengers, such as jackals, but also a vulture and a hyena, all torn apart by explosions. "Minefield", Troy growls grimly. "We need to find out how far it stretches and whether it is only on one or both sides of the road", the German Captain adds. "This is likely intended to target the accompanying vehicles of a convoy. If your HQ hasn't warned you, it could come from the Germans or resistance fighters who wanted to target the German convoys." "Good thinking, Captain", Troy confirms. "Should we check how far this reaches to the road?" "How would you normally do this, Sergeant?", the younger Captain inquires with actual curiosity. "I'll show you", Troy replies with a grin. "You'd better sit down though." Wondering briefly what the Sergeant intends to do, Dietrich complies quickly, especially when he sees him moving the large machine gun.

Sam Troy fires a salve from his Browning into the sand and after the first few bullets he has the first hit, as a mine explodes loudly followed by a few more, until at a distance of 2 meters from the street no further explosions occur. The German who has quickly moved his hands to cover his ears, lowers them again now, nods grimly and growls: "This will be a real problem for our convoy. We need to warn Captain Boggs immediately. Now is still time to check for an alternative route." "Why not have them go through in a single file queue, Cap?", Hitch asks him curiously. The tall officer smiles grimly. "You're used to Jeeps, not tanks", he argues. "The lighter vehicles might still pass through without problems, but some of the heavy trucks and the tanks will cause enough tremors to make these mines close to the road explode." "Damn", Mark curses. "Okay. We'll look for an alternative route", Troy confirms. "Good that you spotted this, Captain." "Why do you think I constantly stood as a lookout as the commander of a tank unit?", the German counters dryly, then swiftly gets out of the car and walks to the other Jeep which has the radio unit.

"We need to warn Captain Boggs immediately", Dietrich tells the three men there with a worried scowl. "'kay, Cap", Tully mutters and gets out of his seat to follow him to the radio set where the German is already starting to get things going. The young Private observes him mainly and only intervenes at one point: "Better set the frequency after starting, Cap. We check for enemy reports like that." The tall Captain mutters an expression of gratitude and follows the advice, while Jack keeps his position of constant vigilance at the Browning in case this is a trap about to be sprung. The British Sergeant knows that both are technically competent enough to know what they are doing. After the sound of some white noise which is even more intense than the wind currently blowing and shifting the dunes, scrambled voices make them all tense, until the young officer carefully moves the radio knob regulating the frequency to receive a better signal.

"... keine Lieferungen derzeit möglich", they hear a man speak clearly and both Dietrich and Moffit listen intently to the German voices. "Was soll das heißen, Sie können uns derzeit keine Lieferung an Munition, Wasser oder Nahrungsmitteln zustellen? Was denken Sie wie wir diesen Stützpunkt halten sollen, ohne dass die Soldaten was zu fressen, zu saufen oder zu schießen haben?", a second man barks into the speaker and the former Wehrmacht Hauptmann feels almost like he is experiencing a dejavu, as he has posed the same question how their HQ intends them to defend some outpost without water, food or ammunition for his soldiers more than once himself, sometimes in a similar angry tone when he has been particularly irritated with the uncooperative radio officer. "Ich kann leider nichts für Sie tun, Herr Hauptmann. Seit dem Fall von Tobruk werden die Truppen und Versorgungsrouten neu organisiert und ihr Posten kann derzeit weder von Westen noch Osten aus sicher angefahren werden", the radio officer argues coolly, unperturbed by the German Hauptmann's outburst that they can do nothing to help him, as troops are redistributed and supply routes have to be reestablished since Tobruk's fall, as they can reach his position neither from the east nor the west, confirming what Dietrich has explained to his American and Australian allies only to days ago. "Leckt's mich doch am Oarsch!", the Hauptmann swears loudly and cuts the line without awaiting a reply after telling the other to kiss his buttock which is not the way Hans has ever ended a radio call with his HQ nevermind how unnerved he has been. From the man's accent, Dietrich can place the German Hauptmann as stemming from Southern Germany, Bavaria or Austria, as he knows the phrase rather well from when his second in command, Oberleutnant Wagner, has thrown a fit.

The German Captain keeps moving the frequency regulator until he reaches a position where the white noise is replaced by a signal that indicates that he has reached the right connection to their convoy. "Blue Horse calling Red Horse", the young officer repeats a few times, listening for an answer in between each try, until finally the voice of Lieutenant Williams answers them. "Red Horse here. What's happened, Blue Horse?" "We ran into a minefield about 200 kilometers from our camp position this morning", Dietrich reports. "200 kilometers?", Williams repeats with a slightly puzzled tone. Dietrich looks at Moffit with an expression that clearly asks for his help. "About 125 miles", the British Sergeant provides helpfully and the German nods with actual gratitude. This idiotic Anglosaxon non-metric measurement of lengths and weights is driving him insane. "125 miles", the Captain repeats and Williams sighs with relief. "A minefield. What's the extent?", the radio officer asks. "It's hard to say, but from the animal cadavers strewn at the edge at least a few hundred meters and it reaches until two meters width to the road, too close for the tanks and heavy trucks to pass safely", Dietrich reports and then adds: "So about... 1000 feet length and as close as 6 feet and a few inches to the road." Again he meets his gaze with Moffit who nods in approval. "Gosh", Williams swears. "I'll report to the Captain right away." "Tell him we look for an alternative route to circumvent the minefield and will call back later. Red Horse out", the young German officer adds sternly. "Understood. Blue Horse out."

The Captain turns off the radio and sets all buttons back to their starting position, while Tully watches him curiously. "We'd better start looking for an alternative route wide enough for the trucks and tanks, gentlemen", the officer announces sternly. "We need to go backwards until turning and getting off the road is safe again, so you will have to go first, Corporal Gotschlich." "I'll direct Gotty, Cap", Tully confirms. "Thank you, Pettigrew. Moffit, you keep watching the surroundings! It could still be a trap." "Aye, Captain", Jack confirms. The German then returns to the other Jeep and provides a brief summary of what has happened to Troy and Hitchcock. "You will follow the other Jeep until we can safely get off the road to turn and look for an alternative route, Private!", the young German orders sternly. "Sure, Cap", Hitch confirms. "Keep watching our surroundings in case it's a trap, Sergeant!" "I'd almost wish for that to get a chance to kick the butts of the guys who forced us into this mess", Troy growls. "Be careful what you wish for, Troy", the Captain admonishes him sternly. "It might still come true and we're not in a good position, as long as we cannot leave the road."

But in spite of Dietrich's pessimistic and cautious view, they are lucky not to run into the creators of the minefield or anybody else using it as a trap. After five minutes of backward driving, the Captain finally deems it safe to get off the road again and turn the Jeeps around, once Troy has fired another salve that does not result in any nearby explosions. "We need to search for another route. I suggest we split up, but always keep sight contact, as we have only a single radio unit", Dietrich tells the men of his unit sternly. Troy and Moffit both nod in agreement. "We'll do that, Captain", the American Sergeant confirms. The drivers get back into their seats as do the others with Troy and Moffit constantly manning the Browning machine guns. After another half an hour, Dietrich considers the area sufficiently explored and calls the two vehicles together again. Flattening the sand with a few swishes of his left hand, he starts drawing a straight line into it with the index finger of his right hand. "I suggest that the convoy leaves the road here, approximately a kilometer before the beginning of the minefield, which is about .6 miles." The German looks up at Moffit for confirmation of the exchange rate who nods. Satisfied, the young Captain continues drawing a semicircle. "Then will have to continue here in a radius of 5 to 10 kilometers which is 3 to 6 miles to circumvent the minefield safely." Troy nods in affirmation. "Sounds good to me." Moffit nods as well. "You only need to inform Captain Boggs about this excellent plan, Captain."

The tall young officer stands up to walk to their radio unit and starts working on the radio, while Tully does not even bother to check on him anymore, as the German Captain is competent enough in handling the technical equipment. Once Dietrich has finished his report to James Boggs and returned the radio unit to its transport state, the German turns back to his unit, when he tenses like the rest of his men, as the sound of an explosion calls them all to awareness. "Not one of ours, I hope", Moffit comments wryly. "If it was, we would be called immediately", Dietrich answers with a frown and reactivates the radio unit. Meanwhile, Tully speaks quietly with Gotty and Hitch about how to drive best to reach the minefield most quickly and safely to check out what has caused the explosion. "A penny for your thoughts, old man", Moffit comments dryly, as he sees Troy stare out into the open desert. "I was just wondering whether someone knew we're coming." "I doubt that. That minefield could have been placed at any time during the last month since the Captain was taken off duty on the German side or need not even be official, but simply cause trouble for everyone", Jack comments.

Then he adds coolly: "According to what we heard on the radio before, the Jerries have enough problems struggling for supplies to not waste resources to drive out here and create such minefields." Troy nods thoughtfully. "You're probably right Jack. But I'll definitely feel better after checking out what caused that explosion." "That's understandable, Troy", the Brit confirms, then points at their Captain who still observes the radio intently, waiting whether a call reaches them. "So we finally saw what he actually does standing up in whatever vehicle he's taking and learned why he does it. He's observing the surroundings keenly." Troy grins. "Yeah. Never thought I'd see him do that in one of our Jeeps though." "Dietrich's a competent observation officer", Jack adds. "And he's even been trained for that task specifically." "Yeah. That guy has eyes like a hawk", Troy confirms. "And it's a good thing he uses them for rather than against us", Jack confirms and Troy nods in agreement.

Finally, Dietrich gives up on receiving a call from the main convoy and turns the radio off again, declaring: "We'd better get going to check the source of that explosion, gentlemen. Captain Boggs will await to meet us at the spot where they are to leave the road so that we can guide them along the detour." "Let's shake it then!", Troy barks and all who haven't moved already to their positions in the Jeeps do so now. Hitch and Gotty keep to the route they have arranged previously and reach the edge of the minefield visible through some animal cadavers within a mere ten minutes. They leave a large enough distance to the edge to move safely, but close enough to be able to observe the minefield and search the source of the explosion from the larger dune with their one pair of binoculars. After a few minutes of searching for what might have caused the detonation, the German Captain finally spots some fresh red marks of blood in the sand.

As they drive closer, they can make out what has happened more clearly. A pair of two golden jackals seems to have thought that they would have found themselves an easily gotten lunch with several cadavers strewn around, but has only found their own demise in the process. A whimpering sound makes Hitch, Troy and Dietrich exchange worried glances. One of the jackals is badly wounded, missing a leg and bleeding profusely, but still alive. "That's horrible, almost sounds like Fritz", Hitch mutters with a rather desperate expression. "It's a damned jackal, Hitch. Pull yourself together!", Troy growls with an almost hate filled tone. "That doesn't mean we need to stand by and watch it suffer. Can you shoot it?", Dietrich inquires. "I'm not gonna waste a good bullet on a damned jackal. It can suffer for all I care", Troy snarls. The German Captain and the American Private stares at him almost incredulously, as the tone is something they would not have expected to hear from the Sergeant.

Without another word, the young officer gets out of the car in a single swift motion and walks over to the second Jeep to address Pettigrew. "Can you shoot that jackal in the head with a single bullet, Private?", he asks the young American. Tully briefly considers the conditions, then nods. "Sure, Cap. Sarge wants it dead?" "I want it dead quickly and without long suffering", the German replies curtly. Tully does not bother to think longer about this command, but gets out of the Jeep, picks up one of their rifles, takes aim and fires a single shot. The whimpering ends abruptly and Dietrich breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Pettigrew." As he is about to turn and walk back to the other Jeep, Moffit addresses him: "You're really the humanitarian, Captain. Troy wanted it to die slowly and painfully, didn't he?" Dietrich nods a single time, then adds with a slightly strangled tone: "I've seen too many lie in agony like this, dying and wishing for the torment to be over, when no help could possibly come for them anymore and allowing them a quick death is the most merciful action you can take for them." "You're a good man, old chap. Sometimes too compassionate for your own good, but that's definitely better than being a coldblooded sadist", Jack comments and briefly meets eyes with the younger Captain who nods in acceptance of the statement, but does not comment on it, as he returns to the other Jeep. "Thanks, Cap", Hitch whispers to Dietrich, once he takes a seat next to him, trying to be silent enough to not be heard by Troy. "I don't enjoy the suffering of others", the German quietly replies. "Start driving! We need to return to our meeting point in time", he adds more loudly, intended for Troy to hear as well. Hitchcock immediately turns on the motor and takes off in their intended direction, followed by Gottschlich in the other Jeep. Only five minutes later they arrive at their meeting spot and can make out the convoy already in the distance.

James Boggs sitting in his staff car at the front of the convoy looks relieved to see both Jeeps and his scout unit intact. "It's good to see you, Captain. We heard an explosion earlier and were worried for you", he tells Dietrich who stands at attention in a straight posture. "We just checked the source out. A pair of jackals triggered a mine", the tall German reports diligently. "We will lead you on a detour to avoid the minefield, Captain Boggs. That is the safest option in my opinion." "You know more about leading tanks through or around minefields than I do. I trust in your advice, Captain Dietrich", Boggs replies and the younger Captain actually smiles at the honest statement which is not intended as mindless flattery. "Follow us then, Captain!", the German tells him and turns to get into the Jeep's front seat next to Hitchcock again. The convoy follows them at its slower speed to which Hitch and Gotty have to adapt to not get too far ahead to still serve as proper guides. An hour later they have safely returned to the road after taking the wider detour Dietrich has deemed the safer option. The German officer salutes to the American Captain, before they speed up again to scout ahead.

Two hours later Hans decides that it is appropriate to have a break and for them to have lunch so that he can report that all is clear to the main convoy. When the German turns back to the men of his unit, he sees Gottschlich and Hitchcock sit together in the shade provided by one of the Jeeps, Troy and Moffit sitting similarly in the shade of the other Jeep, while Pettigrew uses the heat of both Jeeps' motors to heat up the tins with their lunch after opening them. "Smart", the German mutters as he observes the procedure and passes by the Private. "Thanks, Cap. I'll get you a warm lunch in a minute or two. Just take a seat", the young American tells him with something akin to a smile appearing on his face. With a nod, the Captain turns to walk over to Moffit and Troy who both look up at him. "Ah. You're finally done with your reports", the American Sergeant comments. "You're a lot more talkative on the radio than I ever was." Dietrich raises his eyebrows in an ironic expression and comments dryly: "Informing your commanding officer as little as possible on your mischief. Why am I not surprised?" "It's good we have our agreement of mutual exchange of information with our current CO", Moffit comments dryly and Troy grins. "And it's good Boggs never thought of anything like that." "You wouldn't have agreed to it, even if he would have thought of it, would you, Sergeant?", Dietrich asks sarcastically as he sits down in the sand next to Troy to lean against the wheel as well. "You're damn right, Captain."

Then, Troy takes the younger man next to him under more scrutiny. "How's your shoulder doing?" "A lot better than yesterday", the German admits honestly. "Good", Sam mutters and leans back, closing his eyes. "You know what, Captain", the American startles the young officer after almost a minute of silence in which the tall German has tried to rest his eyes as well. Only just suppressing a wince, Dietrich observes the older man intently now. "I'm not actually mad at you because of that jackal. It was the right thing to do", Troy admits almost sheepishly and looks the younger man straight in the eyes. "I got so carried away with my own feelings that I almost forgot what basic humanity is. Thanks, Dietrich." The German looks actually baffled and briefly looks over to Moffit to meet his gaze, before answering a bit hoarsely: "You don't have to thank me, Sergeant, I didn't do it for just you, but for all of us. From time to time it's good to remember how much a little human gesture means." Troy squeezes the younger officer's shoulder briefly. "That's what I like you for. You're a good guy, Captain."

"Lunch's ready!", Tully interrupts them with his announcement. Hitch crows with enthusiasm at the news and jumps to his feet immediately, closely followed by a less loud and outgoing Riku Gottschlich. Troy, Moffit and Dietrich get up as well and retrieve their three lunches from their Jeep's motor unit. "Some stew again", Troy complains with a slightly disgusted look. The German Captain sniffs at the tin and shrugs. "It smells a lot better than Italian noodles drenched with tomato sauce with pieces of mystery meat", he comments coolly and tries the meal. "And it also tastes a lot better." Troy makes a grimace of disgust. "I still remember, when we had that as a lunch, when we retrieved your Italian friend, the singer. Nasty stuff." Moffit looks utterly unperturbed. "I have no idea what you're complaining about. By standards of a British Private school mess that would have been quite an excellent meal." "Only because you Brits really cannot produce well-tasting food, even if your life would depend on it", the German comments dryly. "Only somebody who cannot taste the difference between a sponge, wet paper and a proper piece of bread would ever eat a cucumber sandwich. The bread is white and tasteless, the butter is white and tasteless, even the salad leaf is whitish and tasteless and let's not talk about British cucumbers." Moffit and Troy grin at the young officer's disgusted description. "How did you get tormented by such an atrocity, Captain?", Jack inquires curiously, as he ladles his stew. "We once looted a British supply truck. If we wouldn't have been starving we would have left it for the Brits to take it back", the Captain replies dryly. Troy pats him on the good shoulder lightly. "I can sympathize with you, Captain. The few times the Brits have invited us to get lunch or dinner in one of their mess halls have taught me to appreciate good old American rations." Moffit smiles mildly. "You're spoiled, old man. A few weeks in good old England enjoying our lovely cuisine could cure you of that." "Only over my dead body", Troy counters. "Eat up, Troy, and stop complaining", Dietrich finally admonishes him a bit testily. Looking at the skinny and lean German who has definitely felt the sting of starvation more than once, Sam Troy continues ladling his lunch in silence.

After finishing their lunch, the six men continue on their scouting mission. Unlike the morning, their afternoon passes rather uneventfully, as they regularly check the road and surroundings for further minefields but find no more of the vicious trap mechanisms in the desert sands. As the hour gets later, Dietrich insists on looking for an appropriate camp location and finally is content to find a cliff which provides shelter against the Saharan winds. Reporting back to the main convoy he learns that they are approximately an hour behind due to the Rats not following the main road straight, but diverging to the left and right to explore the surroundings and check for potential dangers. Hans Dietrich decides that, with the exception of Pettigrew who still suffers from his concussion and gets to drive to the top of a dune to serve as a lookout, they will build up their tent in the meantime and move in their possessions. As this takes no more than ten minutes for the experienced desert explorers, the German Captain asks Riku Gottschlich to continue his instructions on his melee fighting style. Moffit and Hitchcock who have missed the first session are curious and baffled at the strange manner of standing and moving. Given their similar tall and lanky stature Gottschlich recommends placing the Brit next to the German Captain to provide him with orientation and subsequently sends Hitchcock to stand next to Troy who bears a determined look. Letting the kid best him, because he has underestimated his speed, reflexes and power behind his movements will not happen to him again.

After the general instructions on the basic forward and backward position for offense of defense, Gottschlich decides on repeating the simple forward strike and the proper technique to block it with the arm which they repeat again with both sides. Dietrich switches sooner than the others from his right to his left side, but proves that he has actual talent for transferring the movement to the other arm which is not his main arm, unless he is injured as he is now and forced to use his left as his main arm. Since Gotschlich is more familiar with the young officer by now, the shy young Corporal dares to address him directly and even touches his arm or shoulder to correct his stance and movement. The German complies with diligence and eagerness to improve his performance, listening to any instruction intently, as does Jack Moffit who observes the Captain closely to copy his movements. Learning this east Asian style of fighting is fascinating for him not only from a practical military perspective, but more so from a cultural perspective. More than once Jack asks for the Japanese words describing their stances, blocks or punches, although except for him Hans Dietrich is the only one actually interested in this information, as the Captain repeats each Japanese word several times during the practice of the movements to connect to motion and the term, while Troy and Hitch ignore the foreign instructions, focussing on the fighting movements instead.

Then, Riku Gottschlich moves to the next phase of their training, forward and sideward kicks. While the forward kick appears simple enough, although Hitch stumbles twice and Dietrich has to perform the motion in a slower and more controlled way to not tear the sutures on his abdomen, the sideward kick provides a real challenge which Sam Troy does not want to believe at first. "How hard can it be to rotate your body, while you kick to the side?", he comments loudly, before losing his balance in his second overly motivated try and landing in the sand rather unceremoniously. "Compared to you, Troy, a rhinoceros appears like a ballerina", Dietrich comments dryly. "Shut up, you Jerry smartass!", the Sergeant growls testily and brushes some dust off his trousers after standing up from the sand. Hitch tries hard to hide his chuckle from Sarge, while Jack grins openly. "Get on with your training, you pack of lousy, lazy apes!", Sam snaps at them, more embarrassed than angry. "This is hilarious. We should do this more often", Jack demonstratively tells the German Captain who smirks at the comment. "It would have been my intention to implement regular training sessions with everybody, now that we are all more or less recovered from our injuries." With the bandages around his head and left arm to the wrist, the young officer still looks the most gravely injured of all of them which he probably also is.

By the time James Boggs and his convoy arrive, the Rats have finished their training session, set up their tent and secured the environment with always one Jeep on the lookout. The American Captain is more than happy with his German second in command's choice of the location for their camp. "In spite of the detour we got as far as we have intended to, under the best of circumstances", Dietrich nods and confirms contently. "If all goes well, we should be able to reach the water hole the day after tomorrow at the latest. From then on it will be another two or three day until we reach the first oasis, depending on our speed and unforeseen events." Captain Boggs is indeed happy to hear this. The lean, young German officer is an excellent second in command and scout unit commander, in spite of having not so much experience with the latter task. "Well done, also with the minefield, Captain Dietrich. You're even better than your file would suggest." "Without your Rats sabotaging me, I can act far more efficiently", the proud Captain replies with dry sarcasm that makes Boggs smile. "Then it's for the best that you're commanding them now instead of crossing your blades with them. Get your injuries checked though, Dietrich, as I really wish to keep you on duty." Nodding in agreement, the young German turns toward the spot where the medical personnel are building their field hospital.

On the way there however he gets intercepted by Ari who comes running toward him shouting: "Hans!" Crouching to not get his injuries aggravated too badly, the young officer catches the boy who pulls him into a tight embrace around the neck. "I took care of Fritz all day. And he is really happy", the child tells him with a wide smile. "I'm really proud of you", the Captain tells the Jewish boy who hugs him even tighter at these words. "Jakob says Fritz must go to sickbay now." Hans smiles gently. "I have to go there too. So we can all go together." Several of the American, British and Australian soldiers have helped with erecting the sickbay tent as one of their first institutions as usual and now assist the nurses and doctors to carry the medical equipment, furniture and wounded into the sickbay. Jakob Silberblatt joins Ari and his friend, carrying Fritz in his arms who starts yelping with excitement at the sight of his master. "Fritz", Dietrich speaks gently, as he scratches the little dog behind the ears who pants with enthusiasm and tries to lick the young man's hand in a gesture of joy. "Let's go to the sickbay", Jakob suggests with a friendly tone, "Before my arms fall off. Fritz is definitely too successful at begging in the camp's kitchen." The German Captain grins at these words and winks at his friend. "You definitely need the training, Jakob." Jakob pokes his tongue at his childhood friend, as he has often done as a boy. "Stop this, Jakob. You're a bad example for Ari", Hans admonishes with a friendly tone. "What did he do?", Ari wants to know. "You don't need to know, because you will not repeat this anyways!", the German officer tells him strictly. Pouting slightly, Ari follows him and Jakob, as the tall Captain leads their way to the sickbay.

"Lieutenant Hartigan", Dietrich addresses the nurse who turns to him. "I would ask you to look after Fritz again." Hitch's girlfriend smiles at the sight of the two unequal friends, the stern German Captain and the pacifistic Jewish Lieutenant, their ward, the native orphan boy, and the little dog who together with the boy has taken the hearts of many people in camp and definitely the whole medical unit. "Sure, I will look after Fritz. It would be good, if someone looks after you as well Captain." The German officer tenses briefly, but nods in acceptance. Sometimes the notion that he is not their hated enemy is not fully settled with him. Deirdre O'Donnell has noticed their arrival as well and joins her friend and colleague with a curious look, as Lisa waves her over. "Could you check on the Captain and change his bandages, while I take care of Fritz?", Lisa asks her and the Irish stemming nurse blushes slightly, as she looks at the young officer who has tensed slightly, but nods in acceptance. "I don't want to keep you from checking on your actual patients though", the young officer starts out politely. "You're as much one of our actual patients as anyone else, Captain Dietrich", Lisa admonishes him. "Your health is of relevance for the whole unit and our camp. So don't play the martyr!" Dietrich has narrowed his eyes and scowls at her, but does not argue, when he feels Jakob's hand on his arm, trying to calm him.

Deirdre leads the young German to a slightly secluded section meant as the future officer's ward, but David Troy has not yet been brought here, neither have the two Majors and the General. Seeing the lean officer wince, as he tries to struggle out of his jacket on his own, Deirdre reaches out to help him. The tall Captain hesitates for a moment, until his intelligence wins over his pride and guilt and he accepts the offered support. "Nurse Regula left the head wound unbandaged overnight yesterday", Dietrich tells her calmly as he takes a seat at the rim of a cot. "Let me have a look", Deirdre tells the young Captain whose face is covered with a thin layer of sand in which only trails of sweat are visible and the outline of the goggles has left the skin around his eyes untouched. As she takes off the bandage around the younger man's head she looks at the wound more closely. "I'll bring you a bowl of water to wash your face and hair, Captain Dietrich. Then, I can see whether it's fine to remove the sutures", the young nurse tells the officer who nods in quiet acceptance.

After washing his face and hair, as well as his hands, Hans Dietrich feels a lot cleaner and more civilized again and is actually grateful to the nurse for her suggestion. Deirdre then inspects the head injury again which has healed well enough during the last few days to dare take out the sutures. "I'll remove the stitches, but you have to be careful for a day or two", she admonishes him gently, "and you should still wear a bandage to keep sand from getting into the wound until it is fully healed." The young German officer accepts the reasoning without much further argument and merely nods in acceptance. Then, the Irish stemming nurse helps him to take off his shirt and winces, as she sees the bruises on his shoulder which are still black and ugly, although they have faded slightly during the last few days. "Your colleague Regula has treated me really well with her massage and helped me to regain some mobility in the last few days", Dietrich informs the young woman who nods. "Regula's really the best for this. I will call her after changing your other bandages", Deirdre replies with a sympathetic smile. "Thank you, nurse O'Donnell", the lean German replies with an honest smile of his own.

Deirdre is still shocked at the marks left by the Professor's falcon Horus, when she removes the bandage around the German's left arm and wrist. "Why would anybody keep such a pet", she mutters incedulously. "You have to ask the Professor. Fritz may have his faults, but he has never harmed anybody as far as I know." Deirdre smiles mildly at the image of the friendly dog. "Like master like pet, one could say", she tells the young Captain with a smile. "The Professor is definitely a bit of a diva like his falcon, but I surely hope that I'm not as greedy and insatiable as Fritz", the young officer replies with an ironic tone. The nurse laughs quietly. "You surely are not, Captain. You should be a bit more like him though", she adds, as she eyes the German's lean torso with the bones clearly visible underneath the skin at his flank and shoulders. "Well. I'm not like that in any case", the young officer states proudly. Deirdre finishes bandaging his lower arm, content that the residual infection Lisa has warned her about has been stifled completely, as she only disinfects the gashes, but does not add further sulfa powder.

When she finally checks on the sutures along his abdomen, Dietrich tenses visibly. "Does it hurt?", Deirdre inquires with some worry. "A bit, mainly at touch or when standing up or sitting down, but also at some movements", the German admits. "The infection you had before seems to be under control, but you'd better not take it too lightly", she advises "I won't, Lieutenant", the Captain replies earnestly. "What can I do to make this better?" Deirdre smiles somewhat sadly. "Mainly give your body the time to heal." The young officer sighs wearily. "I will try to do that, although my duties hardly allow me to." "If you won't do anything to aggravate the injury I can leave it open during the night to allow the wound to dry and heal a bit better", she suggests calmly. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I'd appreciate that", comes the honest reply. Deirdre smiles, glad that she finally starts to feel a bit less awkward around the young Captain, as she replies: "I'm going to call Regula to take care of your shoulder." Dietrich nods in acceptance and waits for the Swiss nurse's arrival. "Hauptmann Dietrich", the pudgy, muscular young nurse greets him. "Ich freu mich, dass meine Behandlung Ihnen hilft. Ich werde mich schon gut um ihre Schulter kümmern." She truly lives up to her promise to take good care of his shoulder, as she starts massaging him.

Hans barely notices that the induction of new pain has ended, when she stops massaging him, as his whole shoulder belt feels contantly on fire already. Only another pair of arms wrapping around his neck draws him out of his brief stupor and reverie. "Are you okay, Hans?", Ari inquires with clear worry, as he looks at his beloved brother. "I'm fine, Ari", the young German replies, trying his best to keep the pain out of his voice. "Fritz is fine too", the boy tells him enthusiastically. "That's good", the Captain mutters gently. "David!", the child suddenly cries out and makes Dietrich wince. "Hey, Ari", the younger Troy brother greets the Jewish boy. "Hello, Captain Dietrich." The German sighs wearily. His brief respite has apparently already been too long for Fortuna to spare him this particular thorn in his side. "Captain Troy", the tall younger officer greets back coolly, as he pushes himself into a sitting position. "Have you managed to speak with Sammy?", David wants to know. "I'm a man of my word", Dietrich growls with wounded pride that this could be doubted. "Of course, I have spoken to him. He might take some time to act though, but he will come to you eventually", the younger Captain tell the American with cool rationality. David breathes a sigh of relief. "I owe you one, Dietrich." "You could repay that by finally stopping to violate my name. It's 'Dietrich' not 'Dietrick', just like the Scots would say Loch Ness", the German corrects him with dry irony. "Oh, Germans and Scots use the same pronunciation", David wonders. "Why's that?" Dietrich suppresses the urge to roll his eyes at the moronic question, as he refuses to sink so low, especially in front of David Troy, but growls instead: "That is just a comparison. Gaelic and German have no relation otherwise as far as I know." David decides just to accept this explanation, as he does not care about languages in the least, but he cares about staying in Dietrich's good graces, since the young German officer is the person with the best access to his brother Sam.

Gritting his teeth to suppress a groan of pain, as he does not want to give such a display of weakness in front of the unnerving pilot, Hans struggles into his shirt sleeve, when the next resident of the officer's ward is brought in. The drugged General suffering from the after effects of the overdose of Pervitin is probably the only person in camp compared to whom even David Troy is preferable company for the young German Captain. Warily, he observes, as the older American officer is led into the ward and to a cot where Lisa Hartigan speaks with him calmly, but resolutely, as she repeats several times that he is not to walk away. Atkins just stares straight ahead and neither moves to stand up or lie down, after she has left, which actually worries the German Captain greatly. He remembers to have seen men acting like this in the field hospital in Paris, expressing a behaviour which has caused him more nightmares than most gruesome battle wounds ever have.

"Captain Dietrich?", David Troy mutters quietly, as he cannot sit up to look around. The younger officer with his still unbuttoned shirt steps closer and crouches next to his cot, since both have the urge to stay as quiet as possible in the eerie presence of the General. "What do you want?", Hans Dietrich whispers and starts to button his shirt with his left hand. David looks a bit astounded by the lean German's ragged appearance, but continues nonetheless: "Could you... send Sammy my regards and tell him... he can take his time with whatever is plaguing him, but I'd really appreciate to just talk to him. He just rushed in and out, but I have to lie here all day and... all this is taking a lot longer than I thought or hoped." The German Captain's expression softens at the words and he can muster actual sympathy and understanding for the pilot's situation after having been gravely wounded himself and bound to a hospital for two months. Putting his own hand on the pilot's arm in a gesture of reassurance and sympathy, the younger man whispers: "I'll tell him. And... I'm still bound to come twice a day to get Fritz and my own injuries checked." David Troy is so dumbstruck by the honestly sympathetic reaction of the wary German Captain that he is speechless for a few seconds, something that rarely happens to him. Then, he tries as much of a smile as he can muster with his bandaged face and burnt lips. "Thanks, Captain. I really appreciate the company." A compassionate expression registers on the younger officer's face, as he whispers: "I know far too well what your situation is like." With a sad smile he adds: "I got engaged to the one person providing me with human compassion and companionship." David looks pained. "I'm really sorry." The younger German closes his eyes briefly, before he opens them again and focuses the pilot with a changed expression, less haunted and more ironic. "Don't even think about repeating my mistake, Troy!" David tries to grin. "Don't worry. I'm not the type for binding myself." Raising his eyebrows in an ironic expression, Hans Dietrich replies: "Why am I not surprised?" As he raises to his feet, he adds: "Take care, Captain Troy. I'll talk to your brother."

Soft yelping and the sound of sandals in the sand, tell the German that Ari has returned with Jakob and Fritz, even before he turns around. "Could you help David?", the boy inquires innocently. "I suppose so", the young officer replies, and David adds from the bed: "Your brother really helped me a lot." Ari smiles. "That's good." "We should meet the others for dinner", Hans suggests and Fritz makes an excited yelp at the word 'dinner'. "Of course you picked up this word, Fritz, you little rogue", the German Captain tells the dog with amusement and sympathy as he scratches him behind the ears and Fritz pants joyfully. "Could you stop this, Hans, and get into your jacket to finally so that we can go to the mess tent", Jakob admonishes him, sounding slightly unnerved. "My jacket sleeve is already getting drenched with drool." Grinning at his friend's predicament, the Captain picks up his jacket and simply drapes it over his shoulders, as trying to put it on would take too long and be too painful without assistance Jakob cannot provide, because he has to hold the injured Fritz with both arms.

"Oh, Fritz, my boy", Hitch yells with excitement, when he sees the four entering the mess tent. Fritz immediately starts yelping excitedly as he wags his tail, hitting Jakob Silberblatt on the arm every time. "Next time, he's responsible for the dog again", the Jewish Lieutenant grumbles to his German friend who smirks with amusement. "Now, come on, Jakob. Think how nice it will be, once Tante Senta is starting to spoil Fritz." Jakob groans at the thought of his mother coddling and spoiling the dog. "Don't remind me! Why did I ever agree to this?" "Because you're my friend and sometimes you have to make sacrifices for your friends", Hans replies with dry irony. Ari joins Hitch as well, when he walks to the food dispense station with Fritz in his arms and starts begging himself: "Look at him, Freddy! Don't you have something to spare for our poor Fritz?" The young Private there smiles and points at a dish with several pieces of meat or burnt crust. "We prepared something already for Fritz, Hitch." Fritz yelps excitedly at his name and focuses his puppy eyes stare on the American who smiles even wider. "You'll like that, little one, until you can come and beg for it yourself again." "Woof", Fritz agrees and pants with a happy expression, drooling slightly at the smell of food. "You'd better get him fed before you don't have to worry about washing your clothes anymore, Private", Dietrich comments dryly, as he steps toward them. Hitch looks at the taller officer a bit baffled to find himself at the receving end of his friendly joke, but grins back. "I'll take care of that right away, Cap." Having given up on the notion of ever educating the rowdy Yankees to use proper rank titles has been a good idea, Hans reflects, as he takes the plate the young Private Hitch has called Freddy offers to him with his left hand, while Jakob takes the rest of their dinner on a tableau except for Ari's plate which the boy carries proudly himself.

The five join the rest of the Rats who are already digging into their dinner. "Your brother sends his regards", Dietrich comments dryly, as he takes a seat next to Sam Troy. "Don't ruin my appetite, Captain!", the American Sergeant growls testily. "When I talked with him in the morning, he was just as goofy and immature as he already was as a teenager." The German Captain sighs wearily, as he argues patiently: "Troy, you know that I'm not your brother's friend in the least, but I can empathize with what being confined to a hospital bed for a month means and how much one starts to appreciate every little human gesture and connection." Sam already bares his teeth to snap back at the young officer, but the haunted look in Dietrich's brown eyes makes him stop. Thinking about what the Captain has just said and how his own perception of his brother has shifted and twisted several times in the last few days, Troy continues chewing on his dinner without even registering the taste as he is sunken into his thoughts. Content that he has reached his goal of making the stubborn American Sergeant not only listen, but also think about his brother and their relationship with far less resistance than he would have anticipated, Hans starts eating himself.

"What's this?", Ari wants to know, as he tries the first spoonful of his dinner. "That's stew", Hitch explains, while Fritz licks his fingers after eating the second piece of slightly burnt meat from his hand. "What's stew?", the boy asks curiously, as he tries the first gulp and chews on a piece of meat. "Stew is a very general term", Jack Moffit starts his lecture. "It refers to any dish containing meat, vegetables or other ingredients bound by a sauce." Ari barely understands half of the terms, but comments with a smile: "It's good. I like it... Stew." "Finally someone who appreciates good old English cuisine", the Brit mutters with a sideward glance at Troy and Dietrich. While the former is too deeply sunken into his musings to pay him any attention, the latter looks up. "This is the American version of stew though. One can tell, as it has actual taste", the German picks up the gauntlet, thrown down by the Brit and verbally crosses the blade. "This is a dish you will find all over Europe. In Germany, where Jakob and I come from, it's called 'Eintopf' and definitely has taste." "Such blasphemy. British stew also has proper taste", Moffit counters with dry irony, enjoying the verbal sparring as much as the Captain who smiles sarcastically at the Brit, as he replies: "Only compared to a cucumber sandwich." Jack cannot help, but grin himself at the comment which is absolutely true, although he wouldn't admit it in front of the German.

Sergeant Bell interrupts their verbal match now, as he clears his throat to draw their attention. "Captain Dietrich, Sergeant Moffit", he addresses the two of them holding out a pot of tea in a manner that would have made an English butler proud. "Lieutenant Johnson and Major Bracken send their regards. I am to deliver you this tea as a sign of their appreciation for your excellent services to this camp and your unit." Dietrich and Moffit exchange a long gaze, before Jack offers graciously: "What would you say, Captain, should we settle our differences over a cup of good old English tea?" The German smiles at the question. "That sounds like a very reasonable idea, Doctor." The British Sergeant hands Moffit the pot carefully not to spill any of the valuable beverage. "You may assure Lieutenant Johnson and Major Bracken of our gratitude. And I have received your application through your messenger", Dietrich addresses the stiff Sergeant in a polite and formal manner fitting with his own behvaiour. Bell looks baffled, before a brief smile passes over his face and he salutes properly. "Thank you, Captain Dietrich." The German officer salutes back, wincing slightly, before turning back to his dinner. Jack Moffit holds out a tea cup for him and offers a toast, holding up his own cup. "To the value of tea, booster of spirit and morale in the hardest of times." Jakob Silberblatt, Jack Moffit and Hans Dietrich all connect their tea cups to the words. Hitch observing them whispers to Tully: "They're crazy. That stuff's bitter and nothing like a good coffee." Tully merely shrugs and continues munching on his dinner.

As they are standing up to get out of the mess tent and back to their own to find some rest and sleep, a few soldiers from American and British units stand up as well. Unable to resist his battle instinct, the German Captain tenses and lets his left hand drift to his gun holster. Ari feels his tension and presses against the tall man's side, feeling safer in direct contact with his caregiver. Captain Boggs at the officers' table stands up as well to get a better view of what the commotion around his younger colleague is about. Captain Brown quickly follows his example and walks closer. "What do you want, gentlemen?", the German officer inquires a bit more brusquely than he would have intended to. A few of the men exchange glances, looking suddenly unsure of what they want to do. Finally, one of the Americans steps forward and in a faked daring tone addresses the officer: "Captain Dietrich. We heard from the Aussies that you did a card trick performance for them." Dietrich's bafflement registers clearly on his face, as this is not in the least what he would have expected to be confronted with. Raising his eyebrows in a clearly questioning manner, he lets the young Private continue. Biting his lips after his first show of bravado has cost him most of his enthusiasm, the younger man continues: "We", he points at all the men around him, including the ones still sitting at the table, but observing the spectable curiously, "wanted to ask you, Captain, if you would do something like that for us as well." Seeing the German officer's incredulous expression, a British Private tries to help his American colleague out: "It's really just for us to have some fun as well. We don't mean no harm, Sir." "You're asking me to perform as a stage magician?", Dietrich asks with a tone that is carefully kept under control to not let his emotions show too clearly. "We'd just like you to do for us what you did with the diggers", the Brit argues. The German officer appears thoughtful, then nods. "I will need to let my shoulder heal some more, before I can attempt that. But you have my word as an officer that then you may have your wish." Several cheers ring from the tables surrounding them, as the standing soldiers grin at each other, happy about their success. "Thank you, Captain", the American remembers to tell Dietrich, before the German turns to continue on his way out of the tent.

"You know, if you want to practice, we're really eager to assist you, Cap", Hitch offers with a grin. Even Tully nods eagerly at that suggestion, while the tall officer raises his eyebrows in an ironic expression. "I will see, if I shall come back to this offer." "What will you do, Hans?", Ari wants to know, as he looks up at his caregiver curiously. This is the worst case, the young German has actually feared would happen. "Perform a trick", he tries to dodge the question through a vague answer. "What trick?", the boy insists to know. Sighing wearily, his caregiver starts to explain what kind of trick in a manner he considers appropriate for a child, while the Rats follow them to their tent and pick up their night watch arranged for the previous night, grinning at each other, while they listen to the German Captain try to downplay his tricks.