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!)

45. Do not pass the Oasis

"Sprich endlich, Verräter! Wo sind die Drecksjuden versteckt?", Hans hears the harsh inquiry of the SS officer, asking where the Jews are hidden. Under no circumstances will he betray Ari and Jakob, the German Captain vows. He winces when he gets roughly kicked in the back of the knee which buckles under the brutal assault, unable to support his weight. A pressure on his chest which some part of his mind attributes to broken ribs and constant beatings becomes even worse when the water his head is forced into prohibits him from breathing at all. Habeck's inquiries mix with Waldheim's, Habeck's torture with Metzlich's mistreatment of the German officer who cannot suppress a groan of pain that should be drowned out in the water, but still sounds loudly in his ears. Another loud sound disturbingly bugs the young Captain who somehow knows that this is an indication of another human being closeby. But while it should make him uncomfortable, this sound seems to calm him and reassure him that someone is there with him. The absurdity of this dream logic registers with Hans, as a weight on his chest and his stomach filters into the German Captain's consciousness, when he gradually regains control of his senses. As the young officer shifts his still slightly blurry gaze to his chest, he notices black hair which definitely does not belong to Fritz. Ari is sleeping using his chest as a pillow with his left arm laid over his protector's stomach in what might have been a hug, when the boy has originally fallen asleep. Hans grimaces at the sight, as he can imagine that even for a boy of Ari's age this cannot be a comfortable position to sleep in. Why have Jakob and Troy, these irresponsible fools, let the boy sleep like this?

The snoring sound nearby that has filtered into his dream reality has stopped suddenly, when mere moments later a hand gently squeezes the German Captain's left shoulder. Troy's blue eyes contain definitive worry and concern, when they meet with Dietrich's brown eyes that still hold the grogginess of a man who has just awoken and is not fully aware yet. "What are you doing here, Sergeant?", the young officer slurs a bit. "You really got me worried, when you almost broke down in my arms again. This was as bad as the last time we saved you from the SS, but you're my friend now, Captain which makes it even worse for me", Troy replies with a seriousness that takes the young Captain by surprise. "Troy, you're on probation for friendship. You shouldn't worry about me, not like that, sleeping at my bedside", Dietrich argues, sounding flustered and uncomfortable with the situation. "You can speak of probation all you like. You're a good guy and loyal friend, but you're causing me more worries than Jack ever has", Troy scolds, without letting go of the young officer's shoulder.

"Hans", Ari interrupts them, once their discussion has finally woken him up. The boy shifts and pushes himself up on his protector's chest who cannot suppress a groan of pain this time. "Are you okay, Hans?", the Jewish orphan asks with worry creasing his brow. "I'm fine", Dietrich gets out sounding not quite as pained as he looks. "Like hell you are", Troy mutters his sarcastic comment, for which the German Captain glares at him in annoyance, growling: "Sergeant!" Ari has placed his ear on his caregiver's chest and listens to his heartbeat meanwhile. "Why didn't you sleep in your own bed, Ari?", Dietrich inquires with a gentler tone than Troy would have expected him to manage in spite of the pain laced into his voice. "I couldn't sleep without hearing your heart and feeling that you're really here and safe", the boy mumbles into his protector's shirt with a muffled voice. "He came over at midnight with tears in his eyes. I couldn't bear the kid crying", Troy adds. "And you know this because you have been up all night to sit at my side? Are you insane, Sergeant?", the German Captain counters incredulously. "You and Jack call me insane half of the time, if Browny and Boggs do so", Troy replies with a wide grin. "So, you really shouldn't be surprised, Captain." Hans just sighs wearily and winces as this hurts his ribs. What crimes has he committed in the eyes of the powers that steer humans' Fate to deserve this, he wonders not for the first time.

"We won't let you go anywhere without proper backup again, Captain!", the American Sergeant growls and this time his anger and determination are almost palpable. "You'd better listen to Troy, when he has one of his rare moments of sanity, Captain. They occur seldom enough that they should be treasured", Moffit comments dryly. While Dietrich looks highly bemused by the Brit's humor, Sam Troy glares at him and grumbles in annoyance: "I hate British humor. At least Davey hasn't adopted that in his time with the Tommies or he'd be even more insufferable." "That is virtually impossible", Hans Dietrich comments dryly and this time both Sergeants smile. "Don't forget it, next time the weasel tries to sweet talk you, Captain!", Sam Troy reminds him. "We'd better help you out of bed now." Dietrich nods and looks at his ward. "Ari, we need to get up and get washed", the German Captain gently tells the boy who still clings to him. The boy's concern causes him a guilty conscience which he would rather not think about. "You can help me walk to the bath", Dietrich offers more to distract the child than to seriously consider this an option. "So will I", Troy adds immediately with his usual determination in his tone. "Let's help your brother, Ari!" The Jewish boy smiles at the loud man he has started to like after initially being afraid, before he smiles at his brother as well.

"You go on my right side, Ari. Troy on my left", the young officer instructs. That he does not even protest out of stubborn pride makes Sam Troy scowl and worry again how bad his reluctant friend's state of health really is. Hauling the tall German officer to his feet where he starts swaying immediately and bears a concentrated expression simply from trying to remain standing proves him right. Sam takes the younger Captain's left arm over his shoulder and wraps his right around the lean German's back to keep him upright and stabilise his other side as well, as Ari is too small and weak to provide anything but moral support. Dietrich rests his right hand on the boy's shoulder nonetheless with the intention of calming him down and showing his own closeness to the orphan. The Jewish boy tries to imitate Troy's arm wrapped around his brother's back, but does not reach far enough, tightening his hand in the back of his shirt at some point. "Let's shake it!", Troy orders with a grin. The German Captain smiles, when Ari inquires naively: "Doesn't it hurt Hans, when we shake him?" Troy's dumbstruck expression rewards him for countless times he has had to suffer the phrase. "It means 'Let's go!', when Troy says that", the German Captain provides as an explanation, not even trying to hide his amusement. "Okay. Let's shake it!", Ari repeats, accepting and adopting this new phrase. Now, it is Sam Troy's chance to grin from ear to ear at the cost of his friend who grimaces, when the boy uses the American Sergeant's catchphrase.

Their way from their tent to the officer's facilities is interrupted a dozen times by soldiers who either greet the German Captain with unusual enthusiasm or inquire about his escape, congratulating both Troy and Dietrich on the daring plan. "Gossipy Yankees", the young officer mutters rather unnerved by the time they finally reach their target location. This kind of attention feels uncomfortable and absolutely inappropriate for him. "There were some Aussie diggers and a few Brits as well", Troy protests with a smirk, before adding: "You're the camp hero, Captain." The German officer grimaces, taking it for the American's typical sarcasm. "Please, spare me such comments before I've had a chance to get washed and put some caffeine into my system, Sergeant." Troy eyes him with a bit of irritation. "I'm damn serious for once." The expression on the German Captain's face speaks clearly of his disbelief. "I have no doubt that you believe this, Troy. But I simply cannot believe for a moment that this is the attitude of those soldiers who don't know me at all. They're simply attracted to the unusual and the action of recent events, as spectators of an accident in the street. This kind of curiosity is an inherent part of human nature independent of race and culture", Hans tries to appease his Sergeant with his fatalistic explanation.

"Good morning, Captain Dietrich!", Lieutenant Carlos interrupts their discussion, before Troy gets a chance to counter the German officer's statement. The Hispanic American takes in the tall Captain's appearance from head to toe. "May I support you from here onward?", Carlos offers graciously, looking pointedly at Sam Troy who bears a grim expression, looking like he would like to protest against the offer immediately. "Sergeant Troy, it would be better to respect formality", Dietrich speaks in a calm, but determined tone, before whispering almost inaudibly so that Sam has to strain his hearing to understand him: "It's better, if you don't get into troubles for starting quarrels with Baker or Atkins. Look after Hitchcock! He needs our attention." Troy scowls, before breaking into a smile. Once he has let the Lieutenant take his position and support the German Captain on the left side, he squeezes the young officer's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll look after our guys, Captain." Dietrich eyes him thoughtfully, before nodding in acceptance. "Thank you, Sergeant." "You're welcome, Captain. See ya later!", Troy offers, before taking his leave. Carlos is among the few of their brass he trusts to look after his friend and the kid properly.

The Hispanic Lieutenant leads the taller officer inside where several of their colleagues turn around and stare at him with surprise, some scowling, some bearing concerned looks and others wary expressions. Baker has distrusted the German Captain from the start, but even he cannot deny that the state the young officer is in undoubtedly proves that he has no option of returning to the Axis side. This does not mean that he holds much sympathy for the wily former enemy who has captured or killed enough of their comrades that he is simply incredulous at the thought that his fellow officers of the LRDG treat Dietrich not only with grudging respect which he is starting to develop for the resilient Captain, but also actual personal sympathy which he considers totally inappropriate. Carlos however has not hidden the fact that he actually likes the honorable young officer who is their senior in rank although he is several years younger than the rest of Boggs' officers corps. Supporting the lean German also demonstrates to him what has been visible before, that he is skinny and quite underweight for a man of his size, more so than he has suspected previously. Ari has never left his brother's side, feeling safe and reassured to feel his body next to him.
"Thank you, Lieutenant", Dietrich tells his supporter smoothly, once he has reached one of their temporarily built washbasins which provides him with some support as he can lean against the piece of chattels. Carlos looks a bit skeptical whether it is a good idea to stop providing the lean Captain with support, but lets go of him, when he notices the scowl forming on the German's bruised face. "We're ready to help, if you need it, Captain", he offers, trying not to overstep the bounds of dignity of the German Captain. Although the proud young man looks affronted at the thought alone, he thanks the American officer politely for his considerate offer. It would not be reasonable to antagonize what few supporters he has, Hans considers grudgingly. Trying to ignore the stares focused on him, he takes care of washing and shaving, as efficiently as possible, although he has to concentrate hard to keep his hand from shaking not just slightly but visibly and dangerously for his own health. In spite of his practice with using his left hand by now, his overall state of fatigue is affecting him more than he would ever admit willingly. Ari meanwhile has never left his side, not even for washing his own face as ordered. With a sigh and a wince at the sting in his ribs, Hans crouches to get to eye level with the boy, as he mutters quietly in Arabic and the little Hebrew he knows, until he manages to persuade his ward to let him go for long enough to use a toilet undisturbed.

Unbidden Lieutenant Carlos looks after the child in the meantime, entertaining him by chatting about his brother. "Hans is a ji...she... chivalrous... knight ... with a horse and a code of honor", Ari shares proudly what he has learned only yesterday, stumbling over the tough vocabulary. The Hispanic Lieutenant smiles bemusedly, as do some others within earshot. "Fairly accurate, when you see him on a horse", Carter whispers to Griffiths who nods in agreement. That the whole room stares at him, when he returns to Ari's side, is disconcerting for Hans Dietrich who cannot completely shake off the feeling of paranoia and wariness, when dealing with the Allied officers. The Jewish boy does not care about such worries, as he hugs his brother around the waist, simply glad to have him back at his side. Carlos is not the only one noticing the German Captain's wince at the embrace and brief flicker of a pained expression on his face. "Ari, we both need to return to our tent and I need to get checked in the hospital as well", the young officer speaks calmly and gently with the boy who lets go of him to wrap his arm around the man's back again and smile, as he looks up at his tall protector's face. "I'll help you again, Hans." The child's gentle and naive offer makes more of the men smile than just Dietrich and Carlos. "Thank you, Ari", the German Captain replies with a gentle tone.

When Carlos offers an arm in support, as he sees the German Captain sway dangerously after a few steps, Hans tenses involuntarily at the touch, but mutters an expression of his gratitude nonetheless for the Lieutenant to hear. "You're welcome, Captain", the Hispanic officer replies smoothly. "We all understand better now what sacrifice you made and the risk you took by changing sides, Captain." He points at the men around them. Carter nods immediately, elbowing Griffiths who follows suit after a few moments of bafflement. Dietrich is stunned by the statement, but mutters: "As I have told you before, this was the only morally right option." "You deserve our respect nonetheless. It takes guts to go that close to a German base again, knowing the risks", Carlos argues, wishing to express his admiration for the brave young officer. "Yeah, you're almost as insane as Troy and the rest of your Rats", Griffiths comments with a grin, while the German Captain winces as if he would have been slapped. "I can totally respect a guy with your guts and heart for your kiddos, Capt'n", the American Lieutenant continues unperturbed. Subtlety and empathy are about as much his forte as they are Troy's, Dietrich reflects, but like the unruly Sergeant he trusts the straightforward uncouth Lieutenant to be honest with his blunt statement. "Thank you, Lieutenant Griffiths", the tall German replies, trying to give a salute with his right that ends with a pained grimace, as even moving his right arm to shoulder level is an ordeal for the German Captain.

"Don't get hurt any more than you already are, Captain!", a female voice admonishes crisply. Several heads snap around, as nurse Lisa Hartigan struts in, looking for all the world as self-assured as ever, nothing reminiscent of her reaction yesterday. "Since you need to get checked up in the hospital sooner rather than later, I'd accompany you there myself", she adds sternly. "I couldn't inconvenience you by using you as support, Lieutenant", the German argues, making the nurse smile. "You're not that heavy for a guy of your size, Captain", Lisa argues without caring about the young officer's glare. "We have to carry men on stretchers more than often enough during our shifts, so I'm quite well-trained for this. Giving you some support for making it to the hospital won't be a problem." The tall Captain looks utterly unhappy at the statement, but runs out of arguments rather soon, as the headstrong nurse insists on her responsibility for a patient which he definitely is. His protest is stopped efficiently by poking the tall man in the ribs causing him to wince and hiss with pain. "As demonstrated you're a patient, so I'll get you to the sickbay", Lisa argues vehemently and takes over Lieutenant Carlos' position for supporting the tall Captain who has to lean on her after trying to stubbornly take the first few steps on his own, with only Ari at his side. After all, the nurse is still the better option for providing him with the much needed support than the little boy.

Gritting his teeth in annoyance, the young officer lets the stubborn woman lead him outside, before he grudgingly accepts this new development and reminds himself of the promise he has made on the previous day. "I wish to offer my sincerest apologies for my thoughtless comment, Lieutenant Hartigan", the bruised and haggard looking German Captain declares with the formality of an official political statement. Lisa Hartigan is taken slightly by surprise by the apology, but reminds herself that she should not be, knowing the young officer for long enough by now to have seen him show a similar behaviour more than once. Her stern expression turns into a smile. "Apology accepted, if that's what you're supposed to say to that." Seeing the young man furrow his brows, as he tries to decipher the meaning of this statement, she adds: "Where I'm from, guys like you don't exist, Captain. You're really a polite and well-bred gentleman, not an uncouth village idiot like almost all the folks in my hometown." The German officer looks a bit baffled by the reaction, but true surprise registers on his face, when the nurse continues: "I have to thank you even. You helped me more than you know. And you could not know that I'd react like that, Captain. Even I couldn't have told you in advance that this would happen. Normally I'm not this sensitive. It's ... complicated." Hand accepts this for now, as trying to extract the reasons for her behaviour out of the stubborn nurse feels as much like an exercise in frustration as trying to interrogate Sam Troy.

"Can I safely assume that you have solved your issues regarding marriage with Hitchcock then?", Dietrich inquires cautiously. The American nurse smirks in her usual manner. "You can't safely assume anything about Hitch and marriage, but I finally managed to talk with him in earnest, thanks to you." Hans bears a pained expression at the first statement and mutters: "That's what I feared." Lisa Hartigan looks at the tall officer with actual appreciation. "You know your men really well for one of the higher brass who's only been with his unit for three weeks. Mark likes you and admires you for a good reason, as do the other guys." The lean Captain scowls and tenses visibly into a straight posture, as he replies with a clipped tone: "It's an officer's duty to know and support his men." "Would you mind telling that to the rest of our brass? I've never seen Boggs sit and talk with any of the enlisted men and he's still one of our good ones. The Volcano wouldn't have been caught dead speaking with anyone but a Sergeant or an officer and even the tanks are more amicable than the Puritan. That's why the folks in camp really like you. You call soldiers by name, listen, remember and care about what you're told and they can see how you treat the Rats and even your Jerries as well as the trust they all have for you."

Dietrich looks actually surprised and uncomfortable now. "Why do you tell me all this, Lieutenant? You know that it is not within my power to decide my future or that of my current unit. I have made that decision which was the only morally right one, but sold myself for the purpose of standing by my principles", the German Captain argues despondently. "You make it sound like you're a slave, Captain", Lisa counters. "I suppose that after yesterday's events I need not tell you why I could not have gone to an Allied POW camp for Germans and expected to survive for long. But I have no real rights among the Allied side either. Wherever they decide to send me and with whoever, I have no other option but obeying. I'm a defected enemy officer, so refusing or quitting my service is not an option. If they send me on a suicide mission, I have to go", the young officer argues calmly but with a hint of fatalism. "Our brass might not be nice or sympathetic guys like you, but they don't want you dead", Lisa tells him with more conviction than any of the two would have expected. Dietrich smiles wryly. "They might not want to cause my death actively, but I'm indisputably causing a lot of trouble even by American standards. If Troy wouldn't be around, I'd hardly have any serious competition for being the greatest troublemaker in camp." Lisa Hartigan smiles at the dry humor which is one of the German's most likeable attributes. "Boggsy needs someone to keep him on his toes, now that the Volcano can't do it anymore."

Then, her smile turns into a more serious expression. "Don't even think for a moment that your Rats are the only ones who like you or want to keep you as an officer. We from the field hospital unanimously agree that you're the most reliable and compassionate of our brass. Doc Andrews liked you from the first day on. We might have taken a bit longer to get warm with you, but we nurses like you as well." "Why...", the German starts his inquiry and gets interrupted immediately. "You shouldn't interrupt a lady when she's talking." After a wink, the perky nurse switches to a stern tone. "I've seen the look in your eyes, mainly on the shell shocked and badly tortured ones", the nurse argues fervently. "You stand by your men with empathy, because you suffered from lots of trauma yourself, Captain. It makes you a good man and good officer, even if those stiff-necked brass like our General Old Twirly, the Tommy Major with his tea addiction or the Puritan with his God given righteousness can't appreciate it. But we, who have to deal with the broken, beaten and traumatised ones on a daily basis, appreciate someone with your qualities of empathy even more than your stubborn friend, the Bullhead." Dietrich has to smile at her derisive if accurate description of the officers and their vices in spite of himself, but feels at a loss of words what to answer to that statement. "What's a bullhead?", Ari saves him by piping in his curious question that makes Lisa Hartigan smile as well as the German Captain. "A bullhead is the head of a bull, obviously", Lisa replies with a grin. "But we also use bull-headed for someone really stubborn." The Jewish boy listens to the information before asking: "Who's really stubborn?" "Sam Troy", Hans beats the nurse to the answer. Ari scowls briefly, before starting to grin. "I like that word... bullhead."

"Be careful what you teach him!", the German Captain admonishes sternly, as he whispers to the nurse who grins widely. "I'd only ever teach a child reasonable things like this." "That's exactly what I feared", the young officer counters dryly. Lisa Hartigan's smile becomes a bit more wistful, as she adds: "You're a good father figure for Ari and Kiri." Being close enough, she can feel Dietrich wince at the statement, as he grimaces as if in pain. "I'm only looking after them as best I can, until I can find a good home for the two." "But we want to stay with you, Hans!", Ari protests. "You cannot stay with me all the time, Ari. You have seen only yesterday how dangerous my work is", the German officer tries to reason with the boy who grabs his shirt more tightly, as he stubbornly presses against his protector's side. "I don't want you to leave me or Kiri. And I don't want you to get hurt!", the orphan mumbles stubbornly into his caregiver's shirt. The young Captain looks pained and at a loss what to do and say, while the nurse smiles to herself, until she finally takes pity on him and says: "Whatever your brother does, he'll always be your brother and nobody can take him from your heart, Ari." Dietrich looks absolutely startled by the compassionate words and unexpected support. Seeing his baffled expression Lisa whispers with a bit of irony: "You're welcome, Captain. I told you, we like you."

Doktor Ludwig Sommer looks completely surprised, when he sees his former commanding officer enter the field hospital while leaning on the American nurse, as the Jewish boy holds onto him tightly. "Hauptmann Dietrich", he addresses the young officer whose head snaps in his direction, making the Captain wince painfully at the swift motion his body punishes him for. "Careful, Captain", Lisa Hartigan tells the lean man whose reaction she has felt intensely, as he is still leaning onto her shoulders. "We'd better take him to the officer's ward", Doctor Andrews who is stepping toward them with a concerned expression orders sternly. "You don't look like somebody I would like to release from medical treatment, Captain." This statement rouses the German's proud and stubborn side, as he tries to pull himself up to his full height into a straight stance and glares at the American medic. "I'm still needed on duty, Doctor Andrews", Dietrich growls with wounded pride. "To which you will only return, if you're able to walk out of here on your own two feet without requiring support, Captain! This is an official order", Doctor Andrews states unperturbed by the behaviour, used to the American commando soldiers and their normally rough and stubborn ways. The young Captain grits his teeth, but cannot argue the reasonability of the command. He should better preserve his strength for now and hope that his treatment will provide him with enough energy to fulfill the medical Doctor's conditions.

When Lisa Hartigan leads Dietrich to the officer's ward, Deirdre O'Donnell comes out, called forth by the talking. "Lisa, you shouldn't ... in your state!", the blond nurse cries in an accusatory tone, before her brown-haired friend hisses harshly: "Deirdre, you promised me!" The German Captain is taken completely by surprise, but his own guilt is triggered easily. "Your state? What's she talking about? I've never intended to harm you in any..." "Please be silent!", Lisa whispers into his ear in such a desperate tone that Hans actually stops his inquiry mid sentence. Deirdre O'Donnell looks guilt ridden to have unwittingly betrayed her friend's trust, while the usually resolute nurse points in the direction of David Troy. Nurse Hartigan can practically feel the young officer's gaze boring into her with an intensity that is uncomfortable. Captain Dietrich is smart. With enough hints he can put two and two together. And she needs the honorable German who has almost sacrificed his life for his principles on her side. In spite of this he is also her patient of which his weight leaning onto her shoulders and neck reminds her. In spite of his skinny stature and underweight, he is still weighing something around 140 pounds with his clothes on.

Leading him to the first empty cot in the officer's ward, she meets eyes with the tall young officer which hold worry, concern, guilt, but also a curiosity and a calculating streak that is most worrisome for Lisa Hartigan. Briefly the thought crosses her mind that she has chosen the wrong man, before sending it off. Lisa loves Hitch in her own way and the respect and sympathy she holds for his gentlemanly CO is something completely different. But she needs him as her ally now and his trust can only be won by addressing him directly and showing him trust in return. That has worked before after all. Thus, she places her hand on the tall German Captain's shoulder who tenses visibly, as his eyes widen ever so slightly. A brief smirk finds its way onto her lips. "Don't worry, Captain. I don't want anything from you like this. We've talked about your story and principles before", Lisa whispers to him, bending down to get close to the sitting man's ear to not be overheard, especially not by Davey, her latest competitor for the honorary title of greatest gossip mill in camp.

"Swear to me that you'll not share with anybody what I'll tell you!", the nurse demands, while Hans Dietrich is confused and uncomfortable with the behaviour but finally nods. With a sigh and a wince at the sting in his ribs, the German Captain replies quietly: "You have my word, Lieutenant, unless the lives and safety of the camp's inhabitants are in danger." His word is like a binding contract. This is all she requires. "What possible condition could you think of that would make Deirdre worry about me and make me reconsider my own notions about marriage which have been pretty consistent with Mark's, as I've never wanted to be any man's obedient puppet?" Hans closes his eyes, as the answer to her whispered question dawns on him and he deeply regrets ever having gotten involved in this matter. 'Why can't you just follow Boggs' example and focus on organising your camp and unit without being dragged into personal drama stories, Hans?', the German Captain asks himself sarcastically, but knows at the same time that it is far too late for second thoughts. By now he already has a boy crying over his beloved brother, the insistent Sam Troy who has forced him into his Yankee notion of friendship that goes beyond pure camaraderie, Hitchcock who has embraced him like a friend on each of the last days without being truly reprimanded or pushed away and now this. Curse his soft heart and head for not not stopping, when people get too close, as he has managed perfectly in the past two years since the annihilation of his previous unit! Hasn't he promised himself after his friends' deaths to not get attached to anyone in this war scenario? He should really have known better than to let Jakob talk him into this friendly camaraderie with his unit men! So much for being too smart for one's own good. That Troy is absolutely right with his assessment adds insult to injury.

"Can I help you in any manner except for refusing the next time you offer to support me on my way through the camp, Lieutenant?", Dietrich inquires cautiously, once his righteous and principled side has won over his self-mockery and fatalism. Lisa and Deirdre smile now at the honest question. "Don't approach Mark! But when he comes to you, I'd appreciate, if you wouldn't just remind him of your principles, but maybe share your own story as well to help convince him to stand by his responsibility for his child", the resolute American nurse asks, trying not to sound pleading. A brief smile passes over the German Captain's face. "You know me really well. Reminding him of my principles is exactly what I would have done even without you asking me to do so. But to share even more of my personal story, when I had no choice previously to give them anything of the countless information they all received about me and my past, would not have been the path I would have liked to choose. I respect your trust though and understand that the situation is more precarious for you than him or me to hold onto stubborn pride. You have my word that I will apply this as a means to talk sense into Hitchcock, should the need arise", Dietrich vows with a serious expression.
That Lisa Hartigan would briefly hug him, has not been the reaction he would have expected. That she whispers "Thank you, Captain" after letting go of him fulfills his expectations far better. "Are you friends now?", Ari asks curiously, as the boy has never left his brother's side. While the German officer looks flustered at the implication, the American nurse reacts far more naturally. With a grin Lisa bends down to him, ruffles his hair gently and whispers: "Your brother promised to help me with something very important. He's my chivalrous knight after all." Ari smiles widely now and nods enthusiastically, before leaning into his brother's side who winces involuntarily. Hans remembers why he has considered the woman worse than Troy. This has been an almost Troy-like stunt of taking him by surprise and pulling the rug out from underneath his feet.

"Let's get you patched up, Captain. There are far too many people who need you", Lisa Hartigan tells the young officer with a smile, while her friend Deirdre O'Donnell who has been taken as much by surprise as the German Captain steps forward now to help the visibly injured man out of his uniform. His bruises along the torso look even worse than on the previous day, before they have darkened over night. It is a miracle that he is awake and walking around at all with the pain he must be in, the blond nurse considers. However his dizziness should not be caused by these injuries. Her friend Lisa has meanwhile retrieved a pen light and is checking the young officer's pupil response. "Normal dilation", she finally mutters her diagnosis. "You shouldn't be affected by your concussion anymore. When was the last time you ate something, Captain?" Dietrich raises his eyebrows in a questioning manner, before answering after giving this question a few seconds thought. "Yesterday at noon. I didn't retain my lunch during my interrogation however."

Now the American nurses have to think about the meaning of the statement, before Deirdre's face forms a shocked and horrified expression, while Lisa Hartigan looks saddened and concerned. "Almost 24 hours without food would make anyone dizzy and wobbly on their feet. And you have no reserves left for such situations, Captain", the young American nurse sternly admonishes the skinny German officer who scowls, but nods. "You're right, Lieutenant." "You're a lot less fun when you're so complacent, but it's understandable given your state", Lisa comments with a smirk, when she sees the young Captain glare at her and open his mouth for a retaliation. "Not in front of the boy", she merely mutters and sees Dietrich shut his mouth again, looking down at Ari who has moved to his left side, when he had to get up while they helped his caregiver to remove his shirt and jacket. Simply to be able to hear his heartbeat works to calm him well. "He even slept like this, with his head on my chest to hear the heart beating. It's the best help against his spikes of panic and fear", Hans tells the nurse unbidden who has observed the strange behaviour more than once. "You're the best foster father the child could get in spite of everything. Not even some actual parents care as much about their children, as you do about those two orphans", Lisa Hartigan comments with a smile, but her tone holds some sadness, as she rubs her hand over her stomach subconsciously. "Hitchcock cares about Ari and Kiri. He'll care about his own child as well", Dietrich surprises himself as much as the nurse by standing up for his Private. "The Bullhead seldom says anything reasonable, but he's right that you're a good and decent man", the brown-haired nurse tells her patient with a smile.

Deirdre looks a bit confused, when she hears her friend's statement, as she returns with the IV infusion bottle and cannula she has retrieved in the meantime. "Saline and glucose infusion with a much lower dose of morphine than yesterday. But you need it to help you with the pain without having you fall asleep", she tells the young Captain who bears a grateful expression with a smile. "Thank you, Lieutenant O'Donnell." The blond nurse smiles back shyly, remembering his reaction to her crush on him. "Lie down, Captain!", Lisa tells him calmly. "It's easier to diffuse the stuff in your whole body when gravity isn't an issue." "Ari, let me lie down please. You can stay with me", Hans tells his ward gently who gets up immediately. "Are you okay, Hans?", the Jewish boy inquires with actual fear in his tone. "I will be much better after their treatment", his caregiver dares to give a cautious promise. "He should be able to walk out with you afterwards and you promise me that you'll make sure that your brother gets some good breakfast afterwards", Lisa tells the worried child who nods diligently. "I will see that Hans gets a lot of breakfast", Ari promises. "My stomach won't bear a lot of breakfast, but I really look forward to a normal sized one", his caregiver tells him from the cot, as Deirdre is plunging the cannula into his arm and fixing it with tape.

"Do you want to surprise your brother?", Lisa whispers to Ari in a conspiratorial manner. "Oh, yeah", the boy cheers loudly in the way he has learned from his friend Hitch. "Don't teach him more nonsense than Hitchcock!", Hans Dietrich protests with clear worry in his tone. The Rats have taught him to truly hate surprises, after Jakob has merely made him wary of them. "Stay put, Captain!", Deirdre admonishes sternly, even pushing the young officer back down on his good shoulder, when he tries to sit up again. "You mustn't interfere with the infusion!" Sighing warily and wincing when doing so, the German Captain watches with dread as Lisa grins and winks at him, before calling: "Come with me, Ari!" The Jewish boy grabs her outstretched hand without further hesitation. After days he has spent in the field hospital, he knows the nurse well and trusts her.

"Don't worry, Captain. Lisa can be quite reasonable", Deirdre O'Donnell tries to calm her irritated patient. "That's like saying that Sam Troy can act without being driven by insanity. It might hold true sometimes, but it's so rare that one wouldn't expect it", the German officer mutters with dry sarcasm. "Says Sammy's friend. You really know him damn well, buddy!", David Troy comments jovially, happy to be able to insert himself in the ongoing conversations. "So what's all the commotion about, Dietrich?" Finally having found a deserving target to vent his frustration, Hans Dietrich glares at the insolent pilot. "First of all, I'm not your 'buddy', Captain Troy. And second, if you think for even a moment that I would forgo my word of honor and the trust put into me just to sate your curiosity for camp gossip, you're even more insane than your brother!", the young officer growls indignantly, spitting the title like an insult. David Troy is briefly taken by surprise by the German Captain's abnormally aggressive tone, although sarcasm is laced into his words. "Oh my. Did I offend you again?", David tries to act in a humorous manner that completely misses its target. "When have you not managed to offend me, Troy?", the German Captain growls in an accusatory tone.

Then he turns toward the blond nurse and asks with a stage whisper to make sure that the other can hear him: "How much morphine is required to liberate me of this thorn in my side?" Deirdre O'Donnell looks surprised to be involved in their banter. "Quite a lot, if you want to get knocked out, but Doctor Andrews won't release you afterwards." "Only if you put it in my bottle instead of his", the young officer counters dryly with an ironic smile that shows her that he is not actually serious. "That's sly and vile. They don't call you the Little Desert Fox for nothing, Dietrich", David Troy who cannot see his interlocutor's expression comments with a grimace that might have been a grin or a pained face which is hard to tell with his burn wounds. "Volpacchiotto means Fox Kit. And I'd really appreciate, if you'd stop butchering my name, Troy", Dietrich admonishes in a manner that reminds even himself of Moffit and his lecture tone. "You're really adaptable to integrate so well with your guys. Sammy's friend, the British know-it-all, must love you to even manage the Brits' tone that makes people feel like you're looking down on them", David comments with a bemused undertone. Hans Dietrich leans back with a slight groan, contemplating how much he hates this Troy family and how to ever escape from the purgatory he has gotten himself into by agreeing to Sam Troy's probation. He must have been as insane as the American Sergeant to ever consider this a good idea.

When Ari approaches his caregiver with a wide grin, the German officer cannot shake off the premonition that something is going to happen which he will not like. "Hans, you must close your eyes for the surprise", the Jewish boy declares in a resolute tone he has adopted either from Lisa Hartigan or Sam Troy. "You shouldn't forget that I'm injured and you shouldn't affect my infusion", Dietrich reminds him sternly, pointing at his arm with the cannula. Ari looks at the string device he knows from many infusions he has received himself. "We'll be careful", the orphan finally promises. "Now close your eyes!" With a weary sigh that makes him wince, Hans complies and hopes that this will not be one of his mistakes. At least he can rest assured that David Troy cannot actually rise from his bed and pounce on him or he would not dare to close his eyes in the presence of the incalculable Troy sibling. "You should sit up a little, Captain", Deirdre O'Donnell tells the young officer, gently nudging his good shoulder and supporting him while sitting up blindly. A pair of arms wraps around his neck, making him wince at the touch, but he pulls himself together to not show such weakness. "Ioannes", Kiri squeaks with actual joy, pressing a kiss on the cheek of her totally baffled caregiver who opens his eyes now. Ari smiles widely, while the two nurses observe the interaction with gentle expressions. Both are infatuated by the children and their interaction with the young officer.

"*I missed you, Ioannes. But Jack Moffit said that you're hurt and that's why you couldn't be there with me yesterday*", the Bedouin girl explains diligently. "*I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you. But Jack Moffit was right that I was really badly hurt*", the German Captain tells her with a truly apologetic tone and expression. The poor injured girl must have been afraid and felt left alone. As if his conscience would not have felt guilty enough already because of Ari's reaction. "*Jack Moffit said you got hurt, because you protected him and the camel boys... like a martyr. But you promised me that you're not a martyr*", Kiri tells him with an accusatory tone at the last part that makes Dietrich flinch as if he has been struck in the face. "*I'm not a martyr, Kiri. But I have to protect my men and the people in this camp. That's what an officer does*", the young German Captain tries to explain. "*Hans is a knight*", Ari pipes in, trying to support his brother. Kiri looks at both of them intently, before hugging her protector again. "*I'm so happy that you're fine again. I've never had a brother before. I don't want to lose one, now that I have two*", she argues.

How on earth will he ever be able to leave her with her relatives under such circumstances, Hans wonders desperately how he will manage to escape this predicament. "*How do you feel, Kiri? You were hurt on the head I heard from Mark Hitchcock*", Dietrich tries to distract her by inquiring about the girl instead, scowling at the sight of the thick bandage wrapped around her forehead like a turban. "*It hurts a bit and I fell over, when I wanted to get up, but Auntie Lisa caught me and said a lot of nice sounding things I couldn't understand. I like her*", Kiri explains and smiles in the direction of the American nurse who smiles back at the girl fondly. "*And you look like Sheikh Sulaiman with the turban*", Ari comments with a grin. His brother is not sharing their mirth though. The expression 'Auntie Lisa' has instilled more dread in him than a SS interrogation chamber. If Kiri uses 'Auntie' for any woman who she is familiar with and considers friendly, her Auntie Amira might not be a relative at all. He does not even want to consider this possibility. Into whose care could he possibly entrust the girl, if not her aunt's, Dietrich asks himself with despair holding his heart in an icy grip.

"Hans, are you okay?", Ari startles him out of his reverie with his worried questions, as he shakes his brother's arm a bit desperately. This time the German Captain cannot suppress a moan of pain, as he flinches at the movement. "Watch out! He's hurt, Ari!", Lisa intercedes, observing the young officer with clear concern written on her face as well, while Deirdre looks truly worried. "*I'm fine*", Hans repeats in Arabic and then in English. "I'm fine." "That's not how I'd formulate your diagnosis, Captain", Lisa comments sarcastically. The children are less concerned about her comment and more happy to have their brother back, even if he is visibly affected by his injuries as a consequence of his job. "Before we can consider exercises for your shoulder, we need to get your pain under control and regain some basic mobility", Lisa tells the German Captain with a worried scowl. "That's more or less what I expected, Lieutenant", the young officer reassures her. Even if he has expected the treatment, Hans Dietrich cannot hide his pain during the massage and guided mobilization of his arm. Lisa Hartigan has tried to save him from the children's attention during his treatment and persuaded Ari to introduce Kiri to his friend David who is enthused to provide entertainment to the children, although Ari having to translate all his statements is a bit tedious for him. But with nothing better to do, telling and listening to stories is his favourite pastime. Ari indulges the American RAF pilot by sharing the story of what has happened to his brother, as far as the boy knows, from Troy informing his other brother Jakob yesterday during dinner, after Hans has passed out in their tent.

By the time his treatment is finished, Dietrich's whole body hurts, but this is reduced to a throbbing background pain, rather than occupying his attention fully, thanks to the painkillers. Deirdre O'Donnell and Lisa Hartigan are eager to help the young Captain into his shirt and jacket again, before allowing him to stand up on his own. The dizziness has indeed mostly subsided and after a few seconds of fighting the vertigo, the German officer stops swaying precariously, as he finds his balance. "Can I take Kiri with us for breakfast, or should she rather stay under medical supervision?", Dietrich inquires calmly, observing the girl standing at David Troy's cot with a slightly worried expression. "You can take her with you. She'll just need regular checks in the sickbay, as you do as well, so you can bring her with you", Lisa tells him with a smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing you again, Captain." "We'd just prefer that your injuries wouldn't be the occurrence", Deirdre adds with a sad smile. "I'm grateful to you for everything, ladies", the German Captain replies smoothly. "It is the hazard of your job that you meet people mainly because they come to you for medical treatment, as it is my professional hazard to be injured or killed in the line of duty."
Dietrich glances cautiously in the direction of the children. "I have to admit that their reactions are disconcerting though. But I'm bound to my profession during this war and it's impossible to predict what will happen afterwards." "You'll take good care of them, as you already do now. Otherwise, they would not love you as much as they do", Lisa Hartigan tells the tall German Captain with a sympathetic smile. "And it won't harm you either to take less risky actions. You already got the Bullhead for those." Hans smiles wryly at the words. "I'll try, Lieutenant." "Good. 'Cause we really like to keep you with us", the nurse replies with a wink. "I'm relying on your support for my cause after all." Dietrich tenses visibly at the reminder of his promise, but nods immediately. "Of course, Lieutenant. You have my word on that. Nobody can guarantee Hitchcock's reasonable behaviour though, as little as Troy's. He's too much of a bad influence in this regard." Lisa Hartigan looks pained and bemused, while her friend steps to her and puts her arm around her shoulders. "You're right, Captain. But I still hope that reason will win ... for our sake." She puts her hand on her stomach with determination and the German Captain nods in understanding. "Ari, Kiri", he calls the children who are still at David Troy's side.

"Ioannes", Kiri shouts enthusiastically as she darts to him. "*No running with your injury!*", the Captain admonishes sternly, as he bends down to put his arm on her shoulder. "*I'm sorry.*" Seeing the girl's scared look, Hans' expression becomes gentler. "*I'm just worried and don't want you to get hurt.*" "*Mama always said that as well*", Kiri tells him with a sad look that sends a jolt down her caregiver's spine who cannot shake the feeling of guilt completely when reminded of her mother's death. Ari joins them after saying goodbye to David who tries to persuade him to come visiting more often. "If you wouldn't be such a bad influence, Troy, I would consider this a good option", Dietrich intercedes with sarcasm. "I can be really nice and I know lots of stories, Dietrich", the younger Troy brother tries to convince the German Captain who winces at the mispronunciation of his name. "That's exactly what I fear about this idea", Hans comments dryly. "If you can actually pull yourself together and keep your stories to a reasonable content for children." David sounds actually desperate. "I promise you I can be reasonable. You could send someone along, if you don't trust me." Dietrich scowls and considers the option for all their sakes. "I'll think of something", he finally replies, before turning to lead his wards away to breakfast.

Two other persons in the main area of the field hospital make him stop though. Riku Gottschlich and Wolf Bauer sit together and chat amiably, as if they would have been friends for a while. That both usually shy young soldiers get along so well so quickly is surprising for Dietrich though. Doktor Sommer has noticed the young officer stop to observe the scene, before he approaches him with a smile, glad to see his former Hauptmann back on his feet. "Herr Hauptmann, es ist gut, Sie wieder auf den Beinen zu sehen. Als Sie gestern kaum besser als nach den letzten SS Verhören ausgesehen haben, habe ich mir ernsthaft Sorgen gemacht." Dietrich scowls at his former staff medic, when he reminds the Captain that he has hardly looked any better than after the last SS interrogations, causing him actual worry. "Wie lang ist Gottschlich schon bei Bauer?", the German Captain asks about the two soldiers. "Der junge Corporal ist etwas nach Ihnen hier angekommen. Seither unterhalten sie sich. Gestern Abend war er auch schon ein Weilchen hier." Doktor Sommer smiles, when he tells his former CO that the Corporal has arrived shortly after him and they are chatting since then, as they already have on the previous evening.

Never before has Hans seen any of the introverted young men chat so liberally and appear so carefree. Troy and the Rats intimidate Gottschlich, but in the right position the young soldier might actually flourish. Both seem to sense the gazes directed at them and look around with almost scared expressions. "Sie brauchen sich keine Sorgen zu machen, meine Herren. Ich will Sie nicht der Verbrüderung mit dem Feind bezichtigen", Dietrich tries to calm them that they need not worry, as he has no intention of accusing them of fraternising with the enemy. "Ich schulde Ihnen beiden schließlich meinen Dank für meine Rettung. Die Gesellschaft scheint Ihnen beiden gut zu tun, wie ich sehen kann." Both smiles at the words that he owes them his gratitude for saving his life and cannot help but notice that they enjoy each other's company. "Riku versteht mich gut", Bauer replies shyly that the other understands him well, while the young Corporal answers that he does not know much about Germany in spite of his grandfather coming from there: "Ich kenne so viel nicht von Deutschland, obwohl mein Opa von dort war. Wolfi ist sehr nett und hilft mir sehr." They all smile, when he expresses his gratitude for Bauer helping him. "Sie sind auch schon deutlich flüssiger beim Sprechen geworden, Corporal", Dietrich praises him for having become more fluent in speaking. Gottschlich beams at the young officer whose praise means a lot to him. "Danke, Captain."

Leutnant Haberfeld looks up from his cot where he has been chatting with Feldwebel Nemet upon hearing his former Hauptmann's voice. "Hauptmann Dietrich!", he calls out to the young officer who turns to look at him and bears a slight smile. "Wie geht es Ihnen, Leutnant Haberfeld?", Dietrich inquires with compassion for his former junior officer who has risked his own life to protect his and caught two bullets for his efforts. "Marathon werde ich wohl keinen mehr laufen", Haberfeld replies with a wry smile that he will likely not run a marathon again. "Er vermisst schon seine Panzer, der Spinner", Nemet comments with a grin that the crazy Lieutenant misses his tanks. "Ich sagte nur, dass ich lieber mit unseren Tigern als diesen LKWs unterwegs wäre", Haberfeld protests that he has only said that he would prefer their Tiger tanks over the trucks for travelling. Dietrich nods with a smile. "Es ist gut zu sehen, dass es Ihnen besser geht, Leutnant, wenn Sie schon so verrückt sind, zwei Kugeln für mich zu fangen." "Allerdings", Doktor Ludwig Sommer agrees with his former Captain wholeheartedly that it is good to see that the man is finally faring better after he has been crazy enough to catch two bullets for his former CO. "Wenn das alles vorbei ist, gehen wir alle auf ein Bier, Jungs!", Haberfeld suggests that they should all meet for a beer, once all of this is over. "Das wird wohl noch länger dauern, Leutnant. Bis dahin bekommen wir alle mal ein Frühstück", Doktor Sommer comments with a smile that this will probably take a while and until then they all should enjoy their breakfast. When Dietrich's stomach starts growling at the mentioning of food, Sommer scowls at him with concern and annoyance, while Riku Gottschlich looks as worried as Ari and Kiri. "Gute Idee. Wir sollten jetzt ebenfalls gehen und frühstücken, Gottschlich. Unsere Pflicht ruft", the German Captain tries to keep his face by playing it cool, as he reminds his Corporal that they should get their breakfast, as duty calls.

"Hans, what language do you speak with them?", Ari dares to ask. "Deutsch, German, our mother tongue", the young officer replies cautiously, dreading where this line of questions might lead. "Why do you speak so many languages? You can talk with everyone", the boy waves his arms to pronounce 'everyone', making the tall Captain smile patiently. "Where I come from, everyone learns at least one or two additional languages in school. And I travelled to North Africa, your home here, as a boy which is how I learned Arabic", the young man replies smoothly. Ari looks impressed and immediately shares his newfound knowledge with Kiri. "Let's go, before he comes up with more questions!", Dietrich tells Gottschlich with a wink that astounds the young American. Having a CO who treats him in a friendly and humorous manner still feels too good to be true at times. "Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Hauptmann", Bauer says his goodbye with a salute. "Und passen Sie auf sich auf!", Doktor Sommer sternly adds that he should take care of himself. With a nod, Dietrich turns around and stops short, when he notices someone staring at him intensely. "Gottschlich, you bring the children to the mess tent and make sure they get their breakfast! Ari, you and Kiri go with Corporal Gottschlich and behave yourselves. Start having breakfast with Jakob. I will join you soon", the German officer orders sternly, then repeats the order in Arabic for the Bedouin girl. Gottschlich salutes properly and leads the two children, feeling honoured to be trusted with them, but worries what keeps his Captain from his much needed meal.

"Sergeant Furrows", Dietrich addresses the Australian who scowls, when the German Captain turns toward him. "How are you and your men?" The Australian Sergeant bears a dark expression and his wariness and distrust are obvious. "Why do you have so many Jerries running free in this camp?", he growls his question. Although a bit affronted, the young officer is glad that he even voices his question instead of sending him off with nonsensical comments. "Doktor Sommer was my staff medic. Given the amount of wounded soldiers from the Allied and Axis side, he has volunteered to help with treating whoever needs help, as is his duty as a medical Doctor to which he is sworn by the hippocratic oath. Wolf Bauer, the young Private who helped with your rescue yesterday, was a soldier of my unit who got in conflict with the actual Nazis from another German unit who were captured afterwards. Sergeant Nemet almost was murdered by some Nazi fanatics, because as a Hungarian he chose to register his birth name in his native tongue instead of German. Both have agreed to support the Allies rather than the Nazis' German Reich. Lieutenant Haberfeld was my junior officer and tank engineer who caught a bullet from Nazi aggressors to save my life. And Private Gottschlich is an American of Japanese and German descent who improves the language for our missions", Dietrich explains matter-of-factually, while Furrows furrows his brow.

"You're really with the LRDG?", he finally asks the question that really bothers him. The German Captain bears a grim expression. "You've been present yourself to witness first hand what kind of treatment I can expect from the German side, given that I am a convicted traitor. I am more than a bit motivated to bring down the corrupted government that holds my homeland and my people in a chokehold", Hans declares with true conviction. Furrows listens intently and actually seems to think about this statement. "You can't go back?", he asks. "Not after fighting against and killing soldiers of the Wehrmacht", Dietrich admits with a carefully kept neutral tone, trying to hide his anger, grim content and bitterness at the circumstances that have forced him onto a path that will always appear cowardly and dishonourable to his family. The two other Australian soldiers observe him and the conversation with wariness, but rising curiosity.

"Who were the children? They're a bit old to be yours in this Africa campaign. Although it feels like forever, it hasn't been more than two years", Tim Furrows inquires, this time sounding honestly curious rather than merely distrustful. "The boy Ari is a Jewish orphan whose family was executed by the SS. When the LRDG rescued me from their hands originally, we managed to retrieve him as well and brought him here", Hans starts his explanation cautiously. "That boy's a Jew? Why's he clinging to a Jerry officer?", one of the soldiers asks with incredulity obvious from his tone and facial expression. Then he remembers that he should add "Sir" to not sound as impertinent as he just has, given that the German Captain is actually a U.S. army officer. Dietrich smiles a bit wryly at the behaviour and the question which is not unexpected and has been asked before. "I have treated the boy and his family members for a disease which has struck the soldiers at my fort as well as the civilians at the town", the tall officer replies. "You're a medic or what?", the third Aussie starts intervening as well, now that the dam seems to be broken. "I have basic medical training like every officer in any army and experience from enough battles fought", the young German replies with a dignified tone. "But in this case the Red Cross trained me specifically with the main intention to help my medic with treating my sick soldiers."

The three stare at him now. "You're a Captain, aren't you?", Furrows asks cautiously. At Dietrich's nod in confirmation, he continues his inquiry: "Why did you get your own hands dirty to treat soldiers and townspeople?" The German Captain straightens his stance and answers with clear pride in his tone: "Because not helping my men or leaving children to die of a disease for which we have a treatment would violate my principles. And I didn't have enough healthy men left to send out, so I had to go myself." The three Australians stare at him incredulously which actually angers the proud young officer even more. "Since you're not inclined to believe my word, you can ask nurse Arno who has trained me for the treatment. As a Swiss Red Cross member she is neutral in this war", the Captain growls. Seeing all three recoil a bit at his tone, he takes a steadying breath that makes him wince only a little and speak in a calmer tone: "I apologise for my tone, gentlemen. I should have kept my countenance." Now the three look incredulous, as an apology is the last thing they have expected from the German officer. Sergeant Furrows takes the word again: "Sorry for being annoying with our questions. It's just ... hard for us to be rescued from the krauts, only to end up with even more of the Jerries. You sound like a decent fellow, Captain. But trusting any German is pretty hard after what we've experienced with those SS bastards." Dietrich smiles wryly. "Believe me that nobody understands better than I what spending days in the hands of the SS entails, while enjoying their fine treatment and civil conversation", the German Captain states with dry sarcasm. "You looked barely better than any of us", Furrows acknowledges.

"Browny said you're a good fellow, but I couldn't quite believe some of his outlandish stories. He tends to exaggerate", the Australian Sergeant tells the German, before remembering that he shouldn't criticize his Captain in front of another. But Dietrich merely smiles wryly and states dryly: "I'm well aware of his tendencies for exaggeration." Tim Furrows studies the German Captain for a while with a thoughtful expression, as he weighs whether to trust the young officer to ask the next question. "What happened to Jackie?" Seeing the German officer's confused expression, he specifies: "Private Jack Young. What happened to him? He doesn't want to talk to us, though we've been through much of the same hell as he." Dietrich tenses and pales visibly. "Private Young was caught by Arab slavers and suffered further mistreatment and personal... violation there, before he could be rescued", the German Captain explains cautiously. "What did those filthy stinking Arabs do to him?", one of the soldiers demands to know aggressively. "This is not at my liberty to tell you, for Private Young's sake", Hans tries to get his head out of the noose. If they hear what happened and that a German soldier was involved, pandemonium will break loose in the sickbay.
"You're still here, Captain", Doctor Andrews interrupts them by stepping toward the lean young officer. "I was on my way out, when I noticed Sergeant Furrows and wanted to inquire about his and his comrades' health", the German Captain counters smoothly. Andrews smiles at the young man he has come to like from the first morning of speaking to him. "I hope you're not ignoring your own need for receiving breakfast while prioritising everybody else." Dietrich bristles. "I'm not neglecting my health, Doctor", the proud young officer protests stubbornly. "One could really argue about that. You lost even further weight since arriving in this camp in spite of having access to enough supplies. Admittedly, most of your ordeals and injuries were not your fault, except for your stubborn insistence to stay on duty. But you shouldn't push your body too far. You have reached your limits, Captain. And we actually like you enough to wish to keep you as an officer in command. So go and get some breakfast now!" Dietrich glares at him for the insolence to order him around like a child to receive his meal, as would have been his intention anyways. "Good day to you, gentlemen", the German officer manages to get out with a mostly neutral tone, before stalking out of the sickbay.

Although he cannot manage his usual brisk walking speed, it feels good to walk without requiring support. A group of Australians swarm the young officer on his way to the mess, making him tense involuntarily. What would they want from him? Vent their anger about the treatment of their comrades through the SS and the German Wehrmacht officers? Where is Troy's annoying mentor Captain Brown, when one would finally need his presence? Three soldiers he recognizes immediately, allow the German Captain to relax his tense posture ever so slightly, although he remains ready to dodge an incoming blow. The O'Donnell brothers and Michael Lakatos enjoy more trust than any other Australian from Dietrich's side. With them present, a direct attack against him becomes less likely in his consideration. "Gentlemen, what can I do for you?", Hans inquires, intending to take the initiative and ideally deescalate the situation, before it gets out of his hands. "We heard what happened yesterday", Daniel O'Donnell starts rather nonchalantly. The German closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, wincing slightly. That is more or less what he has feared. "Your comrades who were still alive could all be rescued from German custody", he tries to focus their minds on the positive outcome. "Browny said they'll be fine", Kevin replies to this with a smile that looks mainly relieved. How wise of Brown to tell them such a positive version of the situation. "You look like you've had a rough time as well, Captain", Michael Lakatos comments, eyeing the German's bruised face. "I'm fine", the young officer drawls his reply. "Sure. You're just as crazy as your Yankee Sergeant to get yourself taken by the Jerries, beaten up by the SS, only to leverage your way out with their commander as a hostage. That's what Browny told us had happened", Daniel tells him with obvious irony. Glaring at the Australian, the German Captain growls: "You'd better mind your tone, Private! That's a very simplistic way of describing what has happened, but fits the truth more or less." "So, it's actually true?!", Kevin shouts almost incredulously, unimpressed by the reprimand.

Why would Fate not spare him such moronic comments, Hans wonders, as he nods curtly, hoping that they will just disperse and leave him in peace once their curiosity has been satisfied. "That could've been a digger's tale. It's absolutely brave and insane", Sergeant Williamson who has pushed his way through the crowd of their soldiers comments with a grin. "That must have been transferred with Brown's hat then", the German Captain comments dryly, intending to take his leave by taking a step backward. Meeting physical resistance in the form of the body of a soldier stops him effectively and makes him flinch and whirl around with a wary expression and his left arm raised in a defensive motion on instinct. "Sorry, Captain", the Australian mutters. "We're not here to attack you, Captain", Sergeant Williamson intercedes now, seeing the young officer's reaction, wild gaze shifting from one man to the next, finally guessing the reason for the German's behaviour and tense posture. "Yeah", Danny O'Donnell confirms as well. "You're our favourite Jerry officer and you helped save our folks. We wouldn't harm you, Captain Sherlock!" Dietrich's eyes dart from one to the other, trying to guess their honesty and how representative the statements of the two men he trusts more than most of the other Aussies are for the whole crowd. None of the men appears aggressive though. He is the only one who has raised his arm, Hans realises and finally lowers his left arm from its instinctive position to defend himself. "You're gonna have breakfast, Captain?", Williamson inquires. "Yes. If you wouldn't have stopped me, I might already do so", Dietrich replies with irony. "Then, we won't keep you, but come with you to the mess instead", the aboriginal Sergeant offers with a friendly smile, since he likes the curious and honorable German officer who has asked him about his personal story and treated him no different than the white Australians since the evening when they have met for the first time.

Seeing all the Australians follow that suggestion finally makes the young Captain relax his tense stance and turn to walk alongside the Australian Sergeant. "You commanded your men during the attack on the German base, Sergeant", he states carefully and notices not only Williamson's eyes, but the attention of every single soldier turning toward him and his inquiry immediately. "How bad was the battle and how many were injured or killed?" "Mostly, we got the Jerries", the aboriginal Sergeant replies. "Only a few of us were injured and no one killed, thank God!" The O'Donnell brothers and a few other Australians murmur something in agreement and make the sign of the cross, copying their Sergeant. Hans remembers his tale that he has been educated by Irish monks in a Catholic way. "How bad were the other losses?", he continues his careful inquiry. "You should ask the Yankees and Tommies about their men, but it wasn't a long or heavy battle. Blowing up their tanks and parts of their defenses and distracting them with your crazy hostage stunt helped us get into the base quickly and without heavy losses. The Jerries surrendered pretty quickly, when they realized they had no officers left." That is more or less what he has wanted to hear, that their actions have helped to shorten this battle enough to minimize the loss of lives. "Thank you, Sergeant Williamson", the German Captain replies, as he enters the tent along with the Australian.

The first thing the German notices is several heads turning in his direction, before murmuration starts among the men on the enlisted men's tables. Then, the Captain sees a figure move through the crowd toward him, pushing a soldier or two roughly to the side. Nonetheless, the young officer has hardly ever been as happy to see Sergeant Troy with the notable exceptions of being a prisoner of the SS or Arab slavers as he is now. Whatever is causing the commotion among the Americans, having the stubborn but loyal Sergeant at his side is a reliable backup for him. "I was already starting to get worried 'bout you, Captain, especially when Gotty showed up with the kids more than 10 minutes ago", Troy tells him with a scowl. "I was held up by the Australians, first in the sickbay and then on my way here", the younger officer explains cautiously, aware that the Australians are still close enough to hear every word. "We'll leave you to your breakfast, Captain. Take care!", Sergeant Williamson tells the German Captain with a jovial tone and friendly smile. "See you around, Capt'n", Danny O'Donnell takes his goodbye, while his brother comments: "Really take care! You got us worried, Cap." Michael Lakatos adds with a wink: "The Yankees can't afford to lose their best burglar apprentice, Captain Locksley." "Private Lakatos!", Dietrich growls with a warning tone. The insolent Aussie has spent too much time among the Rats and adopted their inappropriate misbehaviour.

"He's right, you know, Captain? Not only don't we have anyone with your talent for safecracking and lockpicking, but also would nobody have such a providential name as you", Troy comments with a grin. Hans glares at him and decides that he must have started to become infected with Troy's insanity to have thought that the Sergeant's presence would hold any kind of relief for him. "Let me get something to eat, Troy, before I start adopting your hungry lion's behaviour", the German Captain growls at his companion who still is far too well entertained to be appropriate. "You're really learning well from me", Troy tells him proudly. Maybe not all hope is lost to get the skinny young officer to an acceptable weight. The withering glare the lean German sends him does not bode well for his agreement with this assessment but he refrains from arguing outright, as Hans focuses his attention back on the American soldiers, when he sees several standing up and moving in his direction. Subconsciously he moves a step closer to the American Sergeant who in spite of their bickering and some differences is still reliable in case of somebody's emotions running wild. Dietrich curses himself that he has not thought earlier of asking for a mission and casualty report and therefore does not know how many of the American soldiers have been wounded or even killed in yesterday's assault, but it would make sense to him that some of them intend to blame him for their friends' and comrades' deaths or injuries. His decision to give himself in has been the reason for storming the fort after all.

Troy notices the young German tense visibly and watch the approaching men with the intensity of a hawk scanning the landscape for some prey, although he looks more ready to defend himself than attack anybody. The Captain has never been the aggressive sort of man. "Howdy, Captain", one of the men addresses him in a unique way that Dietrich recognizes immediately. Corporal Aaron Humphries leads the small band of six men who are coming toward them. His fellow Texan Jimmy Walker is among the men and bears a grin that Dietrich finds hard to place. The chemical engineer starts as the spokesman for the group: "We'd like to tell you that we're really glad you're back with us, Captain. And we'd like to ask whether..." "...you're still accepting applications, Captain", another soldier finishes the inquiry. The fact that Dietrich does not recognize the Corporal as a member of Boggs' unit but only from seeing him in passing indicates that he must be from the unit of Major Turner and General Atkins. For a moment Hans is rendered speechless by the question and his consideration of the potential consequences, if the General's own men start applying to him now. Will Atkins be amused, angry or agreeable about this?

A hand on his left shoulder shakes him lightly out of his reverie, while he hears the Texan Corporal ask with clear worry in his tone: "Captain Dietrich, are you alright?" "I'm fine", the young officer replies quickly, but the American soldiers' expressions communicate clearly how little they take this answer seriously, eyeing the bruised man from head to toe. "I can take applications, Corporal. But I just cannot promise to take any man at all who has applied, due to not knowing what Allied HQ intends for a defector like me", the proud young Captain explains cautiously, but with stubborn determination audible. "That's okay, Sir", the American soldier replies, looking more content now. "You look really banged up, Captain", Walker comments nonchalantly. "I thought they'd treat an officer better than a normal soldier, but they treated you worse than us most of the time." Dietrich grits his teeth in obvious frustration. "Would you treat someone who has betrayed you to your enemies better or worse than an ordinary captured enemy?", he grits out.

Many of the men around him scowl and then nod in understanding. "Tough luck for you, Captain", Humphreys declares. "You'd better take care not to get too close to them from now on." "Getting close to them to gather information on the enemy is my job", Dietrich insists stubbornly. "But not throwing your life away unnecessarily, Captain!", Troy intervenes angrily now. "You risk your life before your men's." "As is my duty as an officer", the German growls back defensively. "You know, if you continue this discussion at your current volume, the whole mess tent will apply to join you, Captain", Humphreys points out with a grin, as both Troy and Dietrich stare at him dumbstruck. "That's enough. Let's go get you some breakfast, Captain! I can't bear seeing you starving and losing more substance than you already have. I'm carrying you around far too often lately", Troy admonishes and however much the German Captain is loath to admit it, he knows that the Sergeant is right. "You will excuse us, gentlemen", the young officer addresses the men smoothly, before turning on his heel. This has the added bonus of covering his retreat in a more or less dignified manner, as until now he has remained unscathed, whatever the soldiers' original intentions have been. The distraction has worked well enough.

Fritz is enthusiastic to see the German officer, when he arrives at the food dispensing station. "Nein, Fritz. Bleib unten!", Dietrich orders sternly, worried that the dog might injure himself again by jumping up on him. When Fritz starts whining sadly, he crouches to scratch his mascot behind the ears, while asking in Troy's direction who organises his breakfast: "Where has Fritz been overnight? I didn't see him in the morning." Troy shrugs. "The little bugger slept on Hitch's bed, after he came back early from his nurse girlfriend. She's more of a wildcat than usual." "Leave the woman in peace, Troy!", Hans surprises even himself with the fervour of his statement on Lisa Hartigan's behalf. "What's going on, Captain?", Troy wants to know now. "I'm honorbound not to give you an answer to that question, Sergeant", the young officer replies stiffly. "First, Hitch comes home all distraught and doesn't wanna talk and now you start like that, Captain!", the American growls with an accusatory tone. "You have my word that I will speak with Hitchcock, now that I have a better understanding of what is going on", Dietrich vows honestly. Troy glares at him. "We have an agreement to not go behind each other's back, Dietrich!" The German officer closes his eyes a bit desperately, taking a deep breath that makes him wince. "Troy, I have given my word of honor not to betray this information before the involved parties are ready to stand by it openly. I swear to you that this doesn't go against our agreement and I have no intention of going behind your back." The look in the German's brown eyes is honest, when he meets the other's gaze and finally Troy relents, mainly to spare the young Captain for now, whom he has to grab at the upper arm to stabilise him, when he comes to his feet swaying dangerously.

The whole discussion has taken far too long for Ari and Kiri who come running toward their beloved brother, while he is still walking toward the officer's table alongside Sam Troy. In spite of wincing visibly at their embrace, Hans thinks better of crouching again to spare his bruises the agony, lest Atkins takes him off duty, when he cannot even make it back to his feet without support. The American General is already observing him like a hawk. "*Let's go back, so I can eat my breakfast*", he tells the two children who bombard him with questions like "Where have you been?" Or "Are you okay?" Ari is particularly reluctant to let go of him, but follows along when Hans pushes him gently with his left hand, while Kiri is content with clutching one of his jacket lapels with no intention to let go. "Captain Dietrich!" The addressed officer tenses visibly at General Atkins' stern tone. "*Sit down and wait for me!*", Hans orders in a tone that sounds scarily strict enough to make the two children obey without complaint, before he turns toward the higher ranking officer and schools his face into a neutral expression, while giving a proper salute with his left arm. Atkins scrutinises the tall young Captain intently, before inquiring with undisguised curiosity: "What was that commotion all about?"

"A few inquiries from the men", the German replies with a clipped tone. The older American narrows his eyes in suspicion. "And what would Corporal Turner inquire from you, Captain? He is not a member of your unit", Major Turner intercedes sharply now and from his harsh tone as well as the name Dietrich concludes some family relation. After hesitating for a moment, he draws himself up in a straighter stance and his gaze holds defiance and pride. "He asked me whether I still accepted applications for my unit." Both American officers appear dumbstruck at the statement. "Looks like your nephew wants to show his mettle to a new commander", Atkins whispers with a grin to his scowling Major, not intending the younger officer to hear the comment. "What did you answer, Captain?", Turner wants to know, neither amused by Atkins' comment nor appeased by the younger German's defiant tone. "I have told him the same thing I have told every man who has applied, the simple truth that I cannot promise to take anybody who hands me such an application, as I do not know where I will be sent and with whom", the young Captain states with proud insistence. Troy steps next to his friend with a determined look after leaving the tray with his breakfast on the table behind him. Dietrich tenses, when he feels a hand on his shoulder which the American Sergeant ignores, as he growls with grim determination: "It's just me, Captain. I'm with you." "We're not going to war against our superiors, Troy", the German whispers flatly, hoping that he will not be heard by those superiors. "You look like you're under fire and in need of an ally, Captain. And I don't care...", Troy starts and gets interrupted by Dietrich snapping his name, before he can utter further treasonous statements. "First think, then talk, Sergeant!", Hans admonishes sternly, before throwing a worried glance in the direction of the Major and the General. Atkins appears entertained, while Turner looks still wary and puts the young officer under scrutiny.

"Get your breakfast, Captain!", the General finally releases him of this tight situation, ignoring his Major's angry growl "I wasn't finished." "You can discuss anything you need from him, once the Captain has had something to eat", Atkins states and observes the skinny German who blushes slightly, as his empty stomach agrees with the superior officer that this is a wise order by growling rather loudly. "Did you have dinner yesterday, Captain?", Atkins inquires sharply. "No, Sir", the young officer replies, struggling to find his countenance. "I went to bed after receiving a large dose of painkillers." Troy looks as worried by the realisation as the senior officer. "Leave the man to his meal, Major!", the General orders sternly now. "We would like to keep the Captain on duty after all." Turner studies the haggard German's bruised face, before conceding: "Forgive me for my bad manners, Captain. Please enjoy your breakfast." "Thank you, Major and General", Dietrich speaks cautiously. "Report to my office in an hour, Captain. I want you to join us for the interrogation of the German officer you arrested yesterday. He was rather uncooperative in the last interview we conducted together with Lieutenant Silberblatt. I would like to see whether he acts differently with you." Dietrich salutes with his left arm to confirm the command, but replies with caution: "Hauptmann Zornbrecht hates and despises me which is quite a mutual feeling. I have to warn you that he might not be more cooperative in interacting with me." "I acknowledge your honest opinion, but I would ask for you to give it a try nonetheless, Captain", Atkins answers, while Troy snarls: "Just beat the intel out of that worthless piece of ..."

"Troy!", the German officer interrupts him. "Mind your words and your rank, Sergeant!" "Why do you defend that bastard, Captain, after what he did to you?", Sam Troy snaps back angrily. "He acted not honorably, but within his right toward a convicted traitor and fugitive criminal. I didn't declare myself as an Allied officer, didn't wear my American dog tags, so he could not even have known that he should respect international treaties for treating an enemy officer and POW. We're not criminals who violate the Geneva Convention however!", Dietrich declares proudly and with determination. After all he has been through already he has no patience left for the stubborn American Sergeant. "Sergeant Troy. Your Captain is right to reprimand you. Heed his word of advice, before I consider cooling your mood under lock and key", Atkins barks his command, finally losing his nerves with the insolent Sergeant who constantly defies him since entering this camp. Seeing Troy's indignant expression that does not bode well for the prospect of him acting as any sane soldier should in his position, Hans heaves a sigh that causes him to wince slightly and puts his left arm on the other's shoulder, growling harshly: "Sergeant, return to your unit and keep quiet!" Although not in a compliant mood, Sam Troy notices the undertone of urgency in the German Captain's command. His unusual move of initiating the physical contact warns him that he should better take Dietrich's order seriously. Squeezing the taller officer's shoulder briefly in a silent communication of understanding, Troy grumbles: "As you say, Captain." Following the order must suffice. Noone can expect him to be friendly and polite about it.

Hans Dietrich appears visibly relieved, when the stubborn American finally stops dancing in this societal minefield of military hierarchies with all the elegance and gracility of a lame rhinoceros. Focusing his wary gaze on the older General, the German Captain tenses again, when the older American addresses him with a growl: "I heard Captain Boggs report why you did not wear your dog tags for the mission and heeding military protocol is the only reason why I don't pose the same threat to you as your Sergeant, Captain Dietrich. But I expect you to not forgo military standards and protocols in such a manner without being informed in advance. Is that understood, Captain?" Years of dancing on coals with the German HQ have taught the young officer, when to swallow his pride and concede to honor his self-preservation. His well-honed instinct warns him now not to continue any needless discussions, but to stay with standard behaviour. Thus, Dietrich replies with a swift salute with his left and a neutral reply of "Yes, Sir.". The person coming to his aid now is somewhat unexpected for Dietrich, as Major Turner now whispers quietly into his superior officer's ear who nods, takes a long look at the German and finally orders: "Get your breakfast, Captain!"

Unwilling to trigger the continuation of this needless discussion in any way unwittingly and unwillingly, the young Captain turns around quickly and walks to his friend, Jakob SIlberblatt, who is occupied with trying to calm down the children or mainly Ari who has to be calm enough himself to translate for Kiri. Both of them, nestle against their brother, as soon as he has taken his seat. "*What happened? Why are they all so angry, Hans?*", Ari asks, quivering slightly. "*I'm scared, Ioannes*", Kiri cries into his shirt. 'So much for having breakfast', the German officer thinks warily. 'This is the one predicament you can blame nobody else for except yourself.' As he definitely cannot bring himself to ignore them and eat his breakfast, the young man mutters some quiet reassurances and explanations that succeed to calm the two after another two minutes.

"Du hast schon bessere Tage gesehen, Hans", Jakob tells him with a sympathetic smile that Hans has seen better days. "Ich kann mich kaum mehr daran erinnern, wie sich sowas anfühlt", Dietrich counters dryly that he can barely remember how that might feel. "Is this German again, Hans?", Ari inquires curiously. "Yes, Ari", the German Captain replies swiftly. "Why do you speak German with Jakob?", the boy wants to know. "Because we are both from Germany. German is our mother tongue", the young Captain answers patiently. "But why do you speak English then?", the Jewish orphan wants to know, puzzled by the language mystery. "Most of the people in this camp speak English and also in the United States of America, where you will go to live with Jakob's family", Hans explains calmly. "Why don't we go to where you are at home?", Ari wonders and the German Captain averts his face to not show his pain and bitterness too clearly.

"America is our new home", Jakob comes to his friend's aid. "My family lives there, I live there, when I'm not working and it's now the home for Hans as well." "And your friend Mark Hitchcock and his family live there, as does Sam Troy's family", Dietrich adds cautiously, rewarding his friend with a grateful smile and nod. Ari considers the information. "Then, it will be nice", he finally concludes. "Yes, it will be", his desperate caregiver comments with a serious tone. "Hans", Ari asks after several moments of giving the matter some thought. "Can you teach me German?" The young officer winces slightly, but starts to consider that Jakob's parents are originally from Germany and would speak their native tongue in their own home and among themselves. Teaching the boy would actually make sense under the circumstances. "Yes, Ari. I can teach you and so can Jakob and Jack Moffit. I'm sure Jakob's mother, father and sister will be delighted if you speak some German in addition to English which is more relevant though." Ari hugs his brother in return and thanks him enthusiastically, before turning to Kiri to translate and explain the new development, leaving the famished German Captain to finally start with his breakfast.

James Boggs has observed the interaction between his second in command and the higher ranking officers, as well as Sam Troy's intervention, before returning to his conversation with Captain Brown who points him towards the children nestling to their younger colleague. "Seeing them reminds me of my own kids", the Australian Captain states with a grin. "I had the same thoughts only yesterday, Brown", Boggs agrees. "Charly, my boy, used to behave in many ways like Ari." "Our young Fox is a good foster father, telling from the way the lad and lass love him", Brown remarks with a smirk. "No doubt about that", the American Captain agrees. "You intend to keep him", Brown states rather unexpectedly. "Of course, Captain Brown", James Boggs insists rather indignantly. "Dietrich's causing me at least as many headaches as Troy, but he's a good and competent young officer as well as a decent man. He's a very diligent and dedicated second in command and I have no interest in losing him and his unit." Brown nods. "I understand you perfectly. But some healthy competition has never been a wrong thing. Why don't we settle this like gentlemen, Boggsy?" The American Captain winces at the nickname, feeling sympathy for the ordeal the German Captain has been forced to endure with half the camp addressing him with strange nicknames. "What's your proposal, Captain Brown?", Boggs insists on the more formal address, ignoring the other's slight. "We bet on the outcome, like good sportsmen do", Brown replies with a wink. "No unfair methods, like bribery or manipulation of the superiors. We try to convince the lad and his Rats and see then who the hair brained fools from HQ will choose. What do you say?" Boggs considers this and arrives at the conclusion that this is a fair offer. Holding out his hand to shake, he replies: "Alright, Captain Brown. Let's do this the British way. May the better man win!" Brown smiles and his eyes twinkle with amusement. "I hope that's the case. Can't wait to see the faces of my lads, when they hear that they get a Jerry as their new officer. Furrows and his lads will go ballistic." "Do you really consider this reasonable, considering the past enmity between Captain Dietrich and many members of your unit?", Boggs asks cautiously. "Pah. He's Sammy's best friend by now in spite of these two trying to kill each other for a year. Some of my lads, like O'Malley, the O'Donnells and Williamson, my dark skinned Sergeant, already like him as well and won't be a problem", Brown replies nonchalantly. "And your Yankees have caused him some trouble as well. Nonetheless, he works well with your other officers."

Boggs looks down the table and lets his gaze shift from one of them to the next, with the first being Carlos who chats with Carter and Williams. Unlike many others he has respected and liked the German Captain from the beginning, while Carter has taken somewhat longer until their joint raid to find his sympathy for their young replacement commander. Williams who spends most of his time manning the radio holds real respect for the German since replacing Boggs as camp commander and organising their resupply with various factions in a diplomatic way. Further down the table sit Baker and Griffiths. Both have attacked the German officer on his first day after his defection and Baker's distrust and complaints against the young Captain have not ceased since then, but gradually decreased in number. Griffiths seems to have come round after Winters' death and Dietrich's resulting investigation which has made him find an honest respect for the resilient young Captain who has never shied away from his duties and standing by his principles. The last member of his unit's officers corps sits a bit separate from the rest and observes the cheers and interactions between the enlisted men with disgust and distrust. First Lieutenant Adams has a very clear notion of what is right and wrong, but unlike the German Captain enforcing his puritan beliefs does not endear him to the men in camp, even though he is an excellent and diligent organiser and has been reliable as Boggs' second in command for organising the camp for months, until he has been assigned the German defector. Adams seems to like nobody, as far as Boggs can tell, and has always remained on a distant and professional relationship with any officer in camp and merely looked down on the enlisted men, but he seems to respect Dietrich for the simple fact that the young German officer is precise, polite and diligent in his work and as an organizer of the camp. Finally, James Boggs shifts his gaze to Hans Dietrich, Jakob Silberblatt and the two orphaned children who have adopted the German Captain more than the other way around, as he still looks for a good way of finding a safe home and foster family for each of them, while they behave like he is their elder brother or father without any hesitation. The strange duo of unlikely friends of different characters talks quietly. Although the German Captain looks almost as badly bruised, haggard and worn as he has upon his arrival and defection, Boggs notices the differences in his behaviour nonetheless. Back then, the young officer has never relaxed his tight fight or flight stance and he would not have allowed anybody to get that physically close to him, as he allows the children and also has accepted from Troy. Whatever the Sergeant has done, he has succeeded in gaining the wary German Captain's trust and sympathy, although Boggs would not use the term friendship, as this appears too absurd nevermind Sergeant Troy's expression.

Boggs' musings are interrupted as is Dietrich's breakfast which he has finished for the most part, when Jack Moffit approaches him, bows to speak quietly into the German Captain's ear and and then waits patiently for Dietrich to arrange matters with his friend and the children. In less than a minute the young officer stands up and nods to the British Sergeant, before they leave the tent together, where Sam Troy meets them at the entrance, together with the rest of their unit with the notable exception of Hitchcock. The whole interaction has played out as Boggs would expect it in a well-established team, but is surprised to see unfolding between the German Captain and the British scholar who have been quite wary of each other and worked together for no longer than two weeks in total, given the British Sergeant's injury in battle. "What's going on, Lieutenant?", James Boggs decides to sate his curiosity by asking Silberblatt once he has given instructions to Ari which the boy translates to the Bedouin girl. The young officer shrugs nonchalantly. "I don't really know. Hans said something about the Arab scouts, but wasn't very specific." "Did Captain Dietrich tell you where he went?", Boggs inquires. "No. But I suppose to the scouts' campsite where they have their camels, unless they've waited outside for him and Jack Moffit", the Jewish Lieutenant answers with another shrug. "If you would excuse me, Captain Boggs. I have to hand Ari and Kiri over to the nurses now, as Mark Hitchcock is nowhere to be seen." Boggs nods. "Of course, Lieutenant Silberblatt. I expect your friend will report to me, whenever he is back." "Hans Dietrich is really diligent, Captain Boggs. He surely will do that", Silberblatt replies and turns back to Ari.

"What did the scouts say about the Bedouins approaching us?", Dietrich inquires with a slightly worried tone, as he walks with the British Sergeant through the tent. "Only that a whole group of men with camels is coming, Captain", Moffit replies with a similarly worried scowl. "Thank you for informing me so quickly, Moffit", the German Captain comments honestly. "I see that you have already mobilised the rest of the unit." Jack Moffit keeps a neutral expression, as he replies: "You're our commanding officer. It's only natural to inform you." "Would you have informed Captain Boggs so quickly, before Troy has checked it out?", Dietrich asks with a sly tone he has usually applied for setting his traps. Jack hesitates now, before he concedes: "Probably not before Troy has checked it out. Captain Boggs wouldn't have been much help though as he doesn't speak Arabic." "Since when does Troy apply so much logic to his actions?", the German Captain inquires with dry sarcasm and Jack has to smile wryly, as he answers equally dryly: "You're of course right, Captain."

"Those Arabs must be crazy, if they think they can attack or raid us with a dozen lousy camels", Troy shares his opinion on the situation unbidden. "I doubt that the civilians of this oasis town are insane or suicidal enough to even consider attacking us after the battle they have witnessed yesterday", Dietrich argues smoothly. "It's much more likely that they wish to negotiate with us, as we are the new invaders of their territory. I've been in this situation dozens of times during the war in North Africa." The comment reminds them vividly just who the young officer is and what his previous command position has entailed. From what they have seen, the German Captain has never raided or mistreated the local populace, usually even paid for their trade goods, supplies and work force which is why he has been mostly respected by the locals, except for those who have a hatred against all invaders, even the friendly and decent ones. Dietrich is indeed the best choice of officer to take charge now and organize potential negotiations.

The lean German briskly walks towards the camp edge where he can already make out the group of the four Arab teenagers. Although Omar stands a bit to the side from the others, he has joined them in informing the Captain about their observations. Hussein, Shakir and Farooq try their best attempts at providing a salute to the German officer who salutes back his left. "*What did you see?*", he inquires straight to the point. "*We spotted men coming from the oasis town, Captain. More than the fingers on both hands*", Hussein reports diligently. "*We came back immediately to report, Captain. They will be here soon. When we first saw them they would have needed as much time as a camel needs to drink after days in the desert*", Farooq adds his estimate. Dietrich looks to Moffit questioningly and whispers: "Ten minutes?" "More like fifteen", the British anthropologist replies. "At least five of them already have passed. We should get out there to greet them immediately", Dietrich argues. "That's why I called you right away, Captain", Jack replies. Nodding curtly, the German Captain relays his orders: "Corporal Gottschlich. You report to Captain Boggs and General Atkins that we will receive visitors to the camp. We will check them out, but they should be available to join negotiations." Gotty salutes and leaves immediately, while the lean young officer continues: "Pettigrew, ready the guards and arm yourself in case they are indeed not friendly. We want to show strength without appearing openly aggressive or hostile." Tully listens intently and nods. "Sure, Cap. I'll take care of that." Then, he leaves as well. "Don't even think of sending me off on some errands, Captain!", Troy snaps, before even giving the younger man a chance to speak. "After what happened yesterday I won't let you out of my sight and come to harm again." "You're worse than a lion mother with her cubs", Dietrich growls back. "I would have intended for you to stay anyways, Troy, but now I'm actually reconsidering, if you intend to use up my nerves like that." "Come on, Captain. Be reasonable!", Troy snaps. "I'm under the impression that I am the reasonable one for the vast majority of the time between the two of us, Sergeant", the German Captain replies dryly, shooting his unnerving soldier a withering glare.

"We should leave now, Captain", Jack Moffit interrupts their argument, before it gets out of hand and wastes even more time. "Thank you, Moffit", Dietrich says with actual gratitude, while Troy glares at the Brit for the unwanted interruption. "*Show us where you have seen them, so we can greet our guests!*", the German Captain tells his scouts who start moving toward the edge of the camp immediately. "*Omar*", the tall European officer calls to the Bedouin teenager who has observed the interaction with suspicion until now, but comes forward to the German immediately. "*What can I do for you, Hans Dietrich?*", he inquires eagerly, eyeing the tall man with curiosity. "*Do you know anybody in the oasis town? Have you come with someone else from your tribe?*", Dietrich inquires. Omar nods with a grim look. "*I came with some others from our tribe.*" The German Captain sighs in exasperation, wincing slightly. Trying to extract information from the stubborn youth is almost as unnerving as interrogating Sam Troy. "*Who, Omar? And have you notified them that you are here with us, before they come searching, fearing that you're dead or have been abducted?*"
The Bedouin teenager looks like this thought has never even crossed his mind. "*I didn't notify them, as I came with Jack Moffit immediately and stayed over night, because I had no camel or mule to make it back to town before sunset*", Omar explains and the young officer exchanges a worried glance with the British Sergeant who merely shrugs. "*I took him along after you had been captured and didn't worry about his family at that time, as saving your life had the higher priority for all of us*", Moffit replies with a serious expression. Dietrich sighs again and turns back to Omar, while Jack starts translating to the impatient looking Sam Troy, before he decides to beat the information out of anybody within his reach. "*If your tribesmen come along, we will explain what has happened. Do you know anybody from the local inhabitants?*", Dietrich asks the youngster. Omar thinks about the question for a few moments. "*We know a few of the traders at the market where we sell our animals and crafts the women of the tribe make*", he tells the German with an earnest tone. "*Thank you, Omar. You'll stay with me for now and we'll see who is coming here*", Dietrich tells him, motioning the teenager to come along with him, as he stalks in the direction their scouts have run towards alongside Moffit and Troy. The American Sergeant grumbles something unintelligible which is either a curse or some other inappropriate comment, as Dietrich can tell from the Brit's exasperated expression, before scolding Troy quietly.

The group of men on camels looks like a motley crew of traders, herders and tribesmen with a few armed warriors added to show some resemblance of strength. The sorry lot looks far from an organized caravan or band of mounted warriors as Sheikh Sulaiman has been able to summon under Prince Hassan's command. "Keep alert and ready to intervene should they turn out to be hostile, but don't act aggressively!", Dietrich bellows his command to the camp's guards who nod in acknowledgement and keep their guns ready. Troy takes his position at the German Captain's left side, since Omar is walking at his right, while Jack Moffit stays a step behind Troy, ready to act as an interpreter or backup, depending on what the situation should demand of him. "As-salamu 'alaikum", the man on the first camel shouts, a middle aged stocky Arab in traditional Bedouin clothes looking a bit more elegant than the others. The man holds his empty hands up to show that he is unarmed. "Wa-'alaikumu s-salam", the German Captain answers the traditional greeting, bowing his head slightly as is polite but not servile in the situation. "*Who are you?*", he inquires, while the Bedouin and a few others dismount their camels and mules. "*Uncle Yussuf!*", Omar cries and runs to one of the men who pulls the teenager in a tight embrace. At least one troublesome kid less to look after, Dietrich thinks, thanking whichever higher power that has for once been merciful with him.

The other Arabs appear as surprised by the family reunion as the Allied soldiers, staring at the duo for a few seconds, before their leader answers the inquiry: "*We're a delegation of the oasis town. We saw you destroy the fort with the foreign warriors yesterday. We wanted to negotiate with you, before you destroy our town.*" Dietrich nods and keeps his neutral expression in place. "*We are not savages and have intention to murder innocents or raid your town, if you behave reasonably*", he replies sternly. The Arabs study his bruised face for a few moments, before one of the says sternly: "*We don't know you and also not why you had the boy Omar in your camp.*" "*Hans Dietrich is an honorable warrior and my friend*", Omar intercedes now, stepping stubbornly and proudly in front of the German officer who fights to keep his astonishment from showing too clearly on his face. "*He helped our tribe, when the disease struck us a few months ago. And in Sheikh Sulaiman's town they call him 'faris alsahra' for bringing the medicine to them, riding through the desert alone for two weeks.*" Several of the men eye the teenager doubtfully. "*No Westerner would do that*", one of the men argues. "*Omar speaks the truth*", Dietrich backs his young spokesman up. "*He even rode to battle with Prince Hassan ibn Sulaiman and Murat ibn Muhammad, earning the name of honor twice over*", Jack Moffit supports the German Captain as well.

"*And who are you?*", one of the Arabs inquires incredulously that so many of the Europeans speak their language fluently. "*I am Jack Moffit. I used to be a scholar who travelled and studied the cultures and lands of North Africa, before becoming a warrior to defend my homeland.*" "*This isn't your homeland*", one of the Arabs argues angrily. "*We have no intention of taking your homeland from you*", Dietrich interrupts the escalating discussion. "*We freed you of your invaders and have no intention to raid or harm you, as long as you allow us to get some water supplies and might be willing to sell us food supplies as well.*" "*How do we know that we can trust you after what the others did to us?*", one of the herders asks angrily. "*We came here to negotiate*", Omar's uncle Yussuf intervenes now. "*I recognize the man from coming to our tribe and giving his medicine to women and children without asking for anything in return. My sister and my nephew travelled with him for days and he has acted honorably, defended them against beasts of the wild and saved Omar's life.*" The teenager nods in agreement, keeping his head proudly held up. "*If my friend Hans Dietrich gives his word, he will keep it*", the youngster insists stubbornly and Dietrich has to admit that the young man tends toward behaving like Sam Troy in more than one aspect.

"*You still have not answered my question. Who are you and what right do you have to negotiate on behalf of the town*", the German inquires sternly of the men who are apparently even less ordered and united than they have originally appeared. "*I'm Mehedi ibn Khalid. I speak on behalf of the traders of the village together with my brother Ibrahim*", the Arab who has originally started the negotiations introduces himself and one of the armed men bows as well. "*Jamal ibn Rashid and Tariq ibn Hassan are the wealthiest herders of our town.*" One of the Bedouins who has been rather defiant until now nods briefly, while the other Arab bows politely. "*Talib ibn Rashad and Zaid ibn Karim represent the local craftsmen.*" Two sturdier and muscular Arabs, one armed with a saber, the other with a rifle, bow their heads politely, but not subserviently. "*Hamza, Amir, Nasir and Jamil came as our protection*", Mehedi finishes his introduction of the group with the four armed young men who bow lower than the rest, obviously serving their masters as body guards. This is the kind of position Dietrich would have hoped for his young proteges Hussein, Shakir und Farooq to obtain one day, should they not be kept in service of the Allied armies.

"*I am Hans Dietrich, Captain of this military unit and former commander of the fort at Sheikh Sulaiman's desert town which is why they call me 'faris alsahra' there since the retrieval of the medicine for the townspeople and Omar's and Yusuf's tribe*", Dietrich formally introduces himself. Mehedi squints and puts the tall German under scrutiny. "*The commander of the fort you say? I did not recognize the foreign name, but I heard about you and the story of the commander's desert ride from Nizar ibn Ilyas, a trader from the Sheikh's town who trades with us frequently*", the Bedouin finally states. "*You look young for a famous warrior.*" Dietrich smiles wryly, as he replies dryly: "*Unfortunately, I'm not that young anymore. Inshallah. You have heard of this tale as well and believe us.*" "*So let us trade. You want food and information I would think. We want to be left in peace and you're even more welcome, if you buy our wares and bring our vengeance to those who have wronged us and murdered our family members*", Mehedi speaks with the tone the German Captain and the British Sergeant recognize immediately from professional Arab traders when they start appraising their wares and initiate their haggling process.

"*We can actually offer you information regarding one of your murdered tribesmen. We found him in a cave in the hills two days ago, dead from a bullet wound. We buried him according to your ways, as my scouts Hussein and Shakir have advised me*", Dietrich explains, pointing in the direction fo the hills and then at his scouts who nod diligently. "*The man must have been a goat herder. We found tracks of the scattered herd and rescued an injured goat from the cave, providing it with medical care.*" "*That must have been Hadi*", the stubborn herder Jamal growls angrily and the German sees Troy take a battle stance at the angry tone, eyeing the man warily. Luckily, Jack Moffit intervenes immediately and translates the conversation to the wary Sam Troy, before he attacks anybody. "*My son has been missing for days after last being seen at the waterhole closeby. What do you know of what happened to him?*, the Arab inquires now, eager to learn more, but also wary of the foreigner. "*I can only tell you what I could conclude from the wounds on his body and the tracks in and around the cave, Jamal ibn Rashid, as none of us has been present when he died*", Dietrich speaks cautiously. Jamal puts him under scrutiny, but finally nods in acceptance. "*I believe you. Tell me what you know!*"

"*From the tracks in the cave, we concluded that somebody must have surprised him when seeking shelter in the cave with his herd. The animals must have run around in panic. From his wounds, we could tell that he has been beaten by one or several men and he has been shot, but crawled further into the cave, possibly to escape his captors. The tracks in the sand in front of the cave were the same as the vehicles of the German soldiers in your fort would have left them*", the young officer explain with a serious tone and neutral expression. Jamal cries out in anguish and anger, shaking his fist in the direction of the former German fort, as he curses them loudly and venomously in the name of Allah, the Prophet and their ancestors. Nobody dares to interrupt him and even Troy bears a sympathetic expression. Only after venting his worst anger, the Bedouin turns back to Dietrich with a grim expression. "*I know of a hideout of those cursed sons of ruddy mutts where they sometimes took their prisoners. I'll help you in any way I can to bring vengeance to my son's murderers. They're just like rabid jackals in their mad destruction and should be put down just like the beasts they are!*" The German officer winces and tenses at the grim words.
"*My sincerest condolences for the loss of your son, Jamal ibn Rashid*", Dietrich honors the polite social norm, before continuing his inquiry. "*The men you have seen. Have they worn uniforms of khaki color, a bit darker than the one I am wearing or greyish uniforms with red cloth wound around their right arms?*", he asks cautiously. Jamal stares at him briefly, but thinks about the question, exchanging even a few muttered words with Tariq ibn Hassan, the second herder, before he provides an answer: "*All your clothes look similar with the desert sand sticking to it. But the red cloth strips around the arms were something strange I have not seen before. They were very rarely here at the oasis, but a whole group arrived only a few days ago and they have caused nothing but trouble ever since. They killed Ilyas one of the children looking after the goats of his family in the street, because he did not manage to drive the goats out of the way of their car fast enough.*" The Arab spits contemptously to the ground and Troy looks just as angry, once he hears Moffit's translation. "Let's hunt down those SS bastards, Captain!", he growls to the young officer. "We will have to coordinate this with the other units in camp, before rushing anywhere, Sergeant!", the German Captain reprimands him sternly, wondering where Atkins and Boggs are, as he would have expected at least one of them to arrive by now.

Turning back to the Arab, Hans Dietrich affirms: "*We are really grateful to you, if you can provide us with directions to the hideout of these criminals. They are our enemies as much as yours and have murdered and tortured some of our people as well.*" Jamal nods grimly in response. "*We have the same goal then. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.*" When he extends his hand to seal their alliance, the German Captain briefly hesitates before reaching out with a wince and speaking his vow emphatically: "*We have the same proverb. We will see which soldiers we send with you, Jamal ibn Rashid, but you have my word of honor that we will support you and not treat you or your people in any such way.*" Noticing the tall European wince several times, Jamal inquires: "*You have been injured, faris alsahra?*" Dietrich nods wearily. "*I have felt the treatment of the men who murdered your son myself yesterday.*" The Bedouin herder bears a grim expression. "*Then, you understand and will not betray us.*"

The commotion behind them warns them of the arrival of the other high ranking officers. Captain Boggs, Captain Brown and Major Turner escort General Atkins along with a dozen soldiers. "You have started negotiations and summoned us here. Please provide a report, Captain, Sergeants", Atkins demands sternly. While Moffit starts reporting to the senior officers after exchanging a nod with the German Captain, Hans Dietrich turns back to the Arabs and explains who the new arrivals are. "*We wish you to be present for negotiations, faris alsahra. You are an honorable man with a reputation, we have never heard the names or deeds of any of these men*", Jamal insists indignantly. "*Jamal ibn Rashid. You cannot act so uncouth with our new allies!*", Mehedi ibn Khalid reprimands the herder sternly. "*Please forgive him his manners, faris alsahra, and assure your other warrior commanders that we did not intend to insult them!*", he then speaks to the German Captain with a pleading tone that almost makes Dietrich smile in sympathy, as he can perfectly understand the ordeal of unruly and misbehaved comrades. Sam Troy is standing right next to him after all and glaring at the officers more than the Arabs. This Troy family will be his death one day. "*I perfectly understand your predicament, Mehedi ibn Khalid. We are not offended*", he reassures the man, before growling quietly to the Sergeant: "Troy, stop glaring at the General, before you get yourself arrested!" "Last thing we need is them idiotic brass intervening", Sam Troy grumbles with clear annoyance. "In case you have forgotten, I'm an officer as well", Dietrich reminds him with dry sarcasm. "You're one of us, not some pencil pusher who doesn't know frontline combat", Troy argues.

"Captain Dietrich", Atkins addresses the young German now who whirls around swiftly, standing at attention. "You have managed to secure an informant who is willing to lead us to the hideout of the SS troops, Sergeant Moffit has told us", Atkins states with a serious tone. Dietrich nods and reports diligently: "Yes, Sir. Jamal ibn Rashid is a local herder. His son was the man whose body we found and buried two days ago. He has a personal motivation to exact revenge against the SS and I doubt that he intends to betray us or lead us into a trap from his passionate statement, unless he is an excellent actor." Atkins nods and waves to Brown who looks very eager at the prospect of exacting revenge against the SS. "You and your unit have a strong motivation to apprehend the SS men responsible for the torture and murder of your comrades, Captain Brown", Atkins speaks with a serious tone. "I want you to follow this Arab and try to arrest them or kill them, depending on the situation." "My lads and I are more than motivated, General Atkins", Brown confirms. "But we'd actually need either Dietrich or Moffit to accompany us, as none of us is that fluent in Arabic." Both men nod in agreement. "Given the Captain's state of health, I will send Sergeant Moffit with you", Atkins states firmly. Although Dietrich scowls at the assessment that is hardly flattering for him, he has to silently agree that this is the wisest decision. "I will inform our new allies and continue negotiating with the local trader for supplies", he tells the General flatly. "Please do so, Captain. I prefer to keep you here at the oasis, as I require you for the interrogation of the German Captain and you have proven yourself as an excellent organizer for logistical tasks. In addition, you really need to spare your body further injuries."

Dietrich tenses visibly at the last part and Troy takes a step closer to the young officer in a protective manner. "I'll stay with you and keep an eye on you, Captain. Don't want you to come to harm", he growls with a serious expression. "So you're not coming with us, Sammy?", Brown inquires grimly. "Sorry, Browny. After what happened yesterday I want to keep an eye out for my friend", Sam replies. Brown smiles and winks. "Don't worry. I perfectly understand. As you said, it's the age. Can't compete with a handsome young fellow." Luckily for him, Dietrich is too distracted by negotiating the offer Atkins wants to propose to the traders to hear his slight or he might have jumped at the Australian's throat literally instead of provbially. Troy grins. "I've never worried half as much about you in years as I have to worry about him every day." Brown smiles, as he declares magnanimously: "Then you finally start to understand my ordeal with you. It's the privilege of the old to worry about the young." "I'm not that old", Sam protests indignantly. "But you're about ten years older than your young Fox here", the Australian Captain corrects him. "And he needs someone to look after him, given that he puts his men's and many other's lives before his own."

Jack Moffit meanwhile explains to Jamal ibn Rashid that he will accompany him with the Australian unit to apprehend the SS men. "*Why does Faris alsahra not come with us?*", the stubborn Bedouin herder inquires warily, obviously distrusting their motives. "*Captain Hans Dietrich has been gravely injured by the men we try to arrest or kill, if the first option is not possible. He still suffers from his injuries and therefore our General wants to keep him here at the oasis where he is also needed for the negotiations and organisation of our soldiers. He will remain as a guarantee that nobody in your town will be harmed*", Jack Moffit argues smoothly. Having seen the tall European wince, obviously suffering from some kind of injury and heard from himself that the murderers of the Bedouin's son have harmed him, Jamal accepts the explanation. "*You studied cultures in North Africa, Jack Moffit?*", he inquires with a wary tone. "*Indeed, I have travelled through the desert, spent time with the Touareg, several nomadic Bedouin tribes, as well as in local villages and towns in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco. My father is a professor for Egyptology and took me along for diggings since I was a boy*", the British scholar explains patiently. "*You'd be interested in the old caravanserai along the trade road two days from here. The same Westerners as were here have taken it nowadays. But since you have the superior soldiers, you could drive them out and then look at it. My father told me the story that European professors came there once and paid half the town to dig in the sand for them*", Jamal tells him with actual earnestness that almost surprises Moffit. "*I certainly look forward to that*", Jack replies diplomatically, before inquiring about the location of the hideout, so that they know how to prepare for the mission. Maybe they find something to keep Professor Stevenson and the archaeologists occupied who have avoided them like the plague ever since Troy's nightly raid against their gathering.

James Boggs is relieved to keep Dietrich in the camp for the day, while Moffit will accompany the Australian Captain Brown and his team to strike against the remaining SS force. Although he greatly appreciates the British Sergeant as an interpreter and link to the locals, when their mission would require it, the German Captain has the advantage of being an experienced military commander who has successfully negotiated with the locals not only for gaining support and information, but also for forming truces, securing supplies and getting a resting place for his weary soldiers. A day of rest at the oasis to buy them the time to organise the looted supplies from the German fort, allow the new POWs to settle in and their soldiers to take half a day off to spend at the local bazaar is a welcome opportunity.