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!)

53. The Cave of Polyphemos Raid

An explosion throws the German Captain into the sand, while further detonations shake the ground around him. With his head ringing from the blow and the ear splitting noise, he tries to regain his footing, looking over the battlefield and shouting orders to his soldiers. Some have been killed by the shells, some scramble back to their feet, disoriented and more heavily concussed than their commanding officer. Hans Dietrich grimly orders some to help their comrades who desperately try to flee from the burning tanks, threatening to cook them alive like giant ovens. The death cries of his dying men tear at his heart, but he has to keep a cool head in order to protect those still alive and direct them as best as possible. Bullets suddenly rain down on them with ear splitting noise and the roars of Jeeps' motors clearly speak of the source of this fresh assault. Dodging the projectiles on instinct more than conscious thought, the young Captain is helpless to save his men from the onslaught, when he finds himself face-to-face with his main adversary, as he shouts his order to take cover: "Deckung!"

Sam Troy kneels at his young friend's side after returning to the tent from his shift on the nightwatch and sending the Turner whelp off to his shift. Dietrich's sleep is far from calm and quiet, as the lean officer tosses and turns, muttering quietly then barking commands in his German mother tongue. "Captain", Troy addresses him quietly. "Troy", Hans groans in exasperation. "Why don't you shut up?" The American Sergeant scowls, but then realises that Dietrich is still asleep. "Exactly my thoughts", the young man continues in a stern tone. "What do you suggest?" "That you wake up!", the real Troy tells him with a stern tone. The German Captain briefly hesitates at the reply, as this appears not to be the answer he has expected. Sam grabs his chance to gently shake the younger man's shoulder, while pinning his right wrist just to be safe. That the next reaction is a shout in angry Arabic takes the American Sergeant by surprise. Hans Dietrich also starts to struggle now, moving as if he would like to strike out and is fighting against an invisible opponent. "Captain!", Sam calls again sternly, tightening his grip on the lean officer's wrist and shoulder, as he fights to keep him from striking out. Finally, the American Sergeant sees no alternative to physically pinning the younger German down with his whole body. This builds pressure on the injured Captain's cracked ribs and countless bruises, until he groans audibly with pain and finally opens his eyes.

Blinking sleepily, Hans requires a few moments to realise where he is and that it is indeed Sam Troy he is fighting against, though not the Sam Troy of his dream, induced by past memories, but the one he has as an ally and friend at his side in the here and now. Briefly, the young Captain shakes his head to clear it of the fogginess of sleep and rid himself of the memories still haunting him. "You had me worried", this Sam Troy, the real one of the present, states with concern, having moved away from leaning on the younger man, as soon as he has awoken, to not injured him any further. "All of us actually", a sleepy sounding Jack Moffit adds trying unsuccessfully to suppress a yawn, while a bleary eyed Riku Gottschlich and slightly dishevelled looking Tully Pettigrew nod. Apparently, their struggle has managed to rouse the whole unit. "I apologize for waking you all, gentlemen", Dietrich declares with a chagrined tone, everting his gaze.

"What the hack was that about, Captain?", Sam Troy demands to know. "A trip down memory lane, wasn't it?", Jack Moffit beats the German officer to an answer who nods, looking a bit sheepish. "You must have experienced more battles like the one the remains of which we came upon yesterday than any of us", the British Sergeant comments with surprising empathy at which Hans nods, still looking chagrined at his own weakness. "Your struggle and calling my name wasn't about a tank battle though", Sam Troy adds roughly. "You even told me to shut up." "Cap does that all the time", Tully points out dryly, but Dietrich averts his gaze instead of arguing. Finally, realization dawns on Troy which memories have haunted the young Captain and he grumbles: "Lots of things have changed since that happened." "Why do you insist on befriending someone you share such a past with, Troy?", the lean officer inquires hoarsely. "Cause I'm just as crazy as you who accepted this. Anyone who wasn't there could never understand what we've been through together", Troy replies unperturbed, patting the younger German on his hunched shoulder. "And now it's time we all try to get some sleep", Moffit suggests sternly. The haunted looking Hans Dietrich nods in agreement, eager to get out of this conversation and everyone's attention.

The rest of his night is hardly more peaceful and the tormented German Captain feels almost more exhausted in the morning than he has felt in the previous evening. With dark rims under his eyes, he rises from his sleeping bag and stretches, suppressing a groan of pain. Gritting his teeth, he performs his physical exercises to improve his shoulder's mobility in spite of the suffering this causes him. "Good thing I won't have to shoot at him anymore", Troy mutters to Jack Moffit. "Watching this hurts me almost as much as him." "I highly doubt that, Sergeant", comes the sarcastic remark from their target of observation. "If you want to talk about me behind my back, at least do it out of my earshot", Hans adds dryly. "You've got ears like a bat, Dietrich", the American Sergeant comments unperturbed. "And you look worse than Davey after Bracken chewed him out for a day." "I'm truly flattered by your kind observation", Dietrich growls back sarcastically which hides his groan of pain, but not his wince, as his movement causes his shoulder to send searing signals of displeasure through his nerves.

Unbidden and without waiting for an order, Tully rolls up the young Captain's sleeping bag and folds the blanket, before motioning to Gotty to help him with loading everything on the Jeeps and preparing breakfast. The silent Japanese descended Corporal is much to Pettigrew's liking, calm, quiet, cooperative and focused on his tasks. If only he and Hitch could get him to finally become a bit more relaxed and confident to join in some of their mischief, he would be an excellent unit member from Tully's perspective. The same can be said about their young Captain. Even though he can be openhearted and funny, especially with his kids around, his past and his stern sense of propriety and honor keep him from sharing the relaxed companionship with the rest of them, at least for now. After all he is behaving a lot more friendly and open toward all of them than he has right after they have retrieved him from the SS torture, when he has been forced to leave everything behind on the German side. Tully knows pretty well what losing a father and brothers while being forced onto a path you would never have wanted feels like and he has to admit that Hans Dietrich is a lot more adaptive than he has been himself, withdrawing mostly from anything out of his direct interest.

His Captain meanwhile leaves the tent as well to check on the other units and coordinate the day's route and plans with Carlos and Griffith. Troy and Moffit follow uninvited, but none of the officers criticizes this. After merely five minutes, Corporal Gottschlich interrupts their meeting with a worried expression, as he reports: "Captain Boggs has called. He wants to speak with you immediately, Sir!" Dietrich exchanges concerned glances with his Lieutenants and Sergeants, before approaching the Jeep with a swift stride. All exhaustion is immediately overruled by the adrenaline shooting through his arteries and veins. "Captain Dietrich is speaking. Over", the German officer announces sternly, as he talks into the microphone Tully Pettigrew hands him for the purpose. "Captain Dietrich, we have an emergency", James Boggs declares with a serious tone. "Lieutenant Baker's unit has not reported back. Over." The young German pales slightly. "I warned all the officers to beware of potential traps, Sir. Over." Boggs sighs wearily. "I neither suspect nor accuse you, Dietrich. But I need you to send one of your units there to investigate. Over." Dietrich nods, although his colleague cannot see him. "I will send Lieutenant Carlos, so I won't be suspected of manipulation. Over", the German officer declares with stern concern. Carlos, who has followed him along with the others, announces: "I will check what I can find, Captain." Dietrich nods in acceptance, replying: "Thank you, Lieutenant. His unit will leave in an hour after the men had a chance for breakfast and we have determined the best route without risking getting into a minefield, Captain Boggs. Over." "Thank you, Captain Dietrich. I entrust this matter to your hands", Boggs replies. "Over and out."

Moffit, who has already thought ahead and retrieved the map for Dietrich, hands it to the German officer. "Thank you, Doctor", Hans replies with a brief smile, unused to having an aide who behaves as attentive and thinks ahead like this. Then, he unfolds the map and lays it onto the Jeep's bonnet. "We're approximately here", he states, while pointing at a location in the desert. "The German minefield as described in Stadler's documents should be in this area." Moving his index finger southwards, he circles a whole area on the map to the South of their position. "Baker knew that he would approach a minefield and he had an expert for explosives with him. Thus I suspect that something else must have happened to them. Moffit, did Christian Moulin tell you anything about traps or resistance activities?" Jack shakes his head. "Unfortunately not, Captain, as I would have reported it to you otherwise. But that doesn't mean that there aren't any. The resistance groups are a lot less coordinated than the real military and the actual army of France libre might have laid an ambush he didn't know anything about. He was rather cooperative, given that Major Bracken chewed him out and scolded him as badly as your dear brother, Troy." "Arrogant English snob", Sam Troy supports his brother against a common enemy which makes Moffit and Dietrich smile wryly.

"Although it pains me to lose your support, Doctor, I want you to accompany Lieutenant Carlos and his unit as a desert expert and interpreter, should they find themselves in need of one", the German Captain announces with a grim expression. "I'm honored by your trust, Captain", Jack replies and even Troy has to admit that this is a smart decision, although he scowls grimly at the thought of losing his trusting friend and second in command. But with the German Captain he has a competent unit commander who can actually replace Jack's expertise in several fields, especially when it comes to languages. "We need to find Lieutenant Baker's unit and the reason for their lack of communication, but we also need to find the German supply routes quickly to break the siege. Lieutenant Carlos, I trust in Doctor Moffit's expertise and I recommend you to do the same", Dietrich declares sternly. The Hispanic Lieutenant nods immediately, looking from the German Captain to the British Sergeant. "Of course, Captain Dietrich." Jack meanwhile exchanges a meaningful glance with Sam Troy. Their young unit commander is nothing if not honest and reliable in his support. Lieutenant Griffith grumbles and swears under his breath, but does not protest openly against Carlos going to investigate, while he will continue onward with the German Captain.

The news of the special mission and separation of ways spreads like wildfire among the three units and quickly turns into the main topic for breakfast conversations. Captain Dietrich breaks his routine of sitting with his men for the meal, as he joins the two officers instead for a brief strategy meeting during breakfast which is joined by their Lieutenants. Troy almost shoves the lean young man his plate into his hands, but is stopped by Jack Moffit, while the American Sergeant grumbles accusingly: "No skipping meals for you, Captain!" The thin German officer glares at him, snapping: "Mind your tone, Troy!" "He's mainly worried", the British Sergeant intervenes with a calm tone. "No need to attack him, Captain!" Dietrich scowls at both of them, before nodding wearily. His exhaustion and aching injuries after a rather tormentous night making him more irritable and he has the duty to preserve his dignity and a cool head in the demanding situations ahead the young officer reasons with himself. Then, he turns back to his previous discussion about the best route to take. "You'll probably have to adapt our route based on any sightings indicating the minefield for which Sergeant Moffit will be a valuable support for you, Lieutenant Carlos", Hans remarks sternly. "Nonetheless, I would recommend that you start out westward, before turning back to the South." Carlos nods diligently and Moffit agrees immediately. "Avoiding the minefield for the most part is a reasonable decision, Captain. The longer we can avoid getting too close the further we get, before we have to continue at a cautious and slow pace", Jack agrees. "But we need to find a good spot to diverge from going back in our own tracks in order to find something."

"According to my calculations, Baker should have reached the minefield within four hours", Dietrich states with a serious expression. "If he has not contacted the main convoy at all, something has likely happened to him and his men during the first four hours." Griffith intervenes now: "You don't know Baker like I do, Capt'n. He'd never report before checking and double-checking. He could've reached the minefield and checked on something, when they'd laid a trap for him or something could've happened before. They could also just have damaged the radio, keeping him from reporting." The last argument appears to all of them like the Lieutenant is grasping for straws. But after losing his friend Winters, all of them can empathize that he does not want to consider the option that another of his close friends among the officers could die within a few weeks. Dietrich nods, taking this into consideration.

At least the bullheaded Lieutenant has not argued until now that he wants to participate in the rescue mission for his friend, as Dietrich does not want to tell him in the face that he considers Griffith rather incompetent at conducting investigations and wants somebody neutral and level-headed to look for Baker who will allow Jack Moffit to collect evidence rather than storming into a trap himself. "Turn toward the minefield after an hour of driving southward from our lunch location, gentlemen. In that way, you should reach it further North than Lieutenant Baker in any case, but far enough away to not run into the same trap. Proceed cautiously from there on!" "Good suggestion. We will do that, Captain", Carlos agrees. "And now let's eat our breakfast or we'll never get anywhere!", Troy grumbles with annoyance and Griffith agrees with him immediately. Although annoyed by their pushiness, the skinny German officer does not protest against the comment, lest he triggers an argument with both Sergeants and possibly the Lieutenants as well which would help in no way to prevent his aching head after a restless night from worsening.

As they continue onwards after splitting ways, both Dietrich's and Griffith's units are rather nervous and paranoid which originates mainly from Troy and the Lieutenant. The German Captain constantly watches the dunes and checks the sky, stopping every half an hour to check their surroundings more diligently with the binoculars. Around noon, he spots the first indicator of the oasis or some water source closeby, a Bedouin boy of approximately ten years who is herding goats. "I want to speak with the boy, whether he has noticed something", Hans mutters to Troy, as the Sergeant takes the binoculars from him. "What would such a kid know?", the American grumbles darkly. "Don't underestimate him, just because he is young and has little formal education. He spends the whole day out here looking after his animals. Spotting something out of the ordinary which might pose a threat is his basic skill for survival. Our newly recruited scouts are just herders like him and still have proven their worth more than once already", Dietrich argues. "I forget that you're not Moffit and actually have people skills", Troy comments with a grin. "I will inform him on how much respect you have for his education and language skill", the young Captain remarks dryly. "Ah, come on. Jack knows me and wouldn't expect anything else", the American Sergeant counters without dropping his grin. "Neither would I", comes the dry reply. "Let's shake it then!", Troy bellows, as they slide down the dune to return to their Jeeps, which is the signal for their drivers to start their vehicles.

"We encountered a goat herder", the German officer informs the others briefly. "I will speak with him to see what I can learn about the area and possibly their occupational force. Stay ready in case others are nearby or it's a trap, gentlemen!" Griffith nods grimly and prepares his Thompson gun in addition to standing at the Browning. "I wouldn't have thought I'd meet someone more trigger happy than you, Pettigrew, but Walker and Griffith definitely have shown me how wrong I've been with this assessment", Hans mutters to Tully with a humorous tone, as he gets into the front seat next to him, while Eric Turner has taken over Moffit's position at the gun behind him. Pettigrew grins and shifts his matchstick. Captain Dietrich definitely has a better sense of humor than most of the brass.

The young Bedouin looks close to panicking, when two Jeeps circle him, while two others have kept their distance, observing him in a threatening manner like lurking predators. The tall lean man getting out of one vehicle looks the least threatening in spite of a stern expression on his haggard beardless face. "As-salamu 'alaikum", the stranger greets him in fluent Arabic with a slight accent. After gaping at him for a few seconds, young Ahmed recovers from his initial shock and replies almost instinctively: "Wa-'alaikumu s-salam." "*We don't want to harm you*", Hans Dietrich assures the youngster, as he notices the fearful stare. "*Are you from the oasis?*" The young goat herder nods timidly. "*Do you know anything about the fortress and foreign soldiers there?*", the German Captain inquires cautiously. Again a timid nod is his answer.

"*Do you know about the soldiers hiding in the caves nearby or trading food and water?*", the young officer inquires calmly, realizing that he has to prompt everything in order to receive answers from the intimidated youngster. Now the boy looks more nervous and agitated than before, but neither nods nor shakes his head, glancing nervously in all directions as if fearing to be overheard. "*You know something. You should speak the truth before Allah!*", Dietrich demands sternly. The young Bedouin actually whimpers, as he replies: "*They will hurt me and Muhammad, my brother, and our mother, if I tell you something. Please have mercy, effendi!*" "*No harm will come to you. We have a lot more warriors than the men in the fort at your oasis*", Hans argues. "*And I promise you that we will protect you and not hurt you.*" "*All the foreign soldiers only hurt us, except when their commander calls them back. He said he will protect us and that the others will kill us and take away our hair.*" The boy sounds positively terrified. "*Do I look like I will take your hair or harm you?*", Dietrich inquires, trying to calm the youngster.

Glancing at the commando soldiers, the boy replies timidly: "*They look dangerous.*" "*They will not harm you. I'm their commander*", the German Captain argues in an earnest tone, before looking slightly astounded down to his boot where a young goat is nibbling at its rim. "Hallo, du kleiner Racker!", he scolds the little kid with a friendly tone and bends down to gently nudge it to keep the baby animal from eating his footwear. The goat kid looks more curious than discouraged, as it starts rubbing its head against his palm. The American soldiers look almost as incredulous as the young Bedouin who stares at the lean European wide-eyed. Sensing the boy's doubts, Hans allows the young goat to lick at his hand, obviously liking the salt contained in his sweat. This is the best and fastest way to communicate that he is non-threatening the German Captain decides.

"*Do you swear to Allah that you will not hurt us?*", the young herder asks shyly. Dietrich nods with an earnest expression, as he vows: "*You have my word of honor that we will not harm you and we will protect you, if the need arises.*" Absentmindedly, he scratches the goat behind the ears, while speaking. "*I can show you where they hide, but I must not leave the goats alone*", the boy replies timidly. Hans looks up and counts the dozen goats. "*We can take three of them on each vehicle. If you go with the least well-behaved ones, we can just bind the others, like transporting them on our cars like you would when bringing them on a camel to the market.*" The boy looks astounded by the offer. "*I can come with you on this?*", he asks and for the first time curiosity seems to outweigh his fear, as he points at the Jeeps. The German Captain nods cautiously. "*Yes. To show us the hideout.*"

An enthusiastic twinkle enters the boy's dark eyes, as he looks at the skinny young man. "*I will show you*", he finally agrees. "*Excellent*", Hans agrees with an honest smile, holding out his right hand which the boy grasps after some hesitation. "*What's your name?*", the European officer finally asks. "*Ahmed ibn Rashid*", the young Bedouin introduces himself proudly. "*My name will be hard for you to pronounce, but the people of the tribe and oasis town of Sheikh Sulaiman call me faris alsahra*", Dietrich avoids to use his real name not only to make Ahmed's life easier, but also to not be recognized should the youngster be threatened and betray them. When he stands up to signal to his men on the Jeeps, the little goat kid makes a protesting sound, but gets picked up by Ahmed. Then, the tall Captain is waving to all of his men on the Jeeps to join him in the valley where the goats are grazing and now herded to huddle together by Ahmed.

"This is Ahmed. He will be our guide and show us the German hideout. I promised that we will not harm, but protect him. And we will take his goats along. Three per Jeep. Bind them tightly, so they cannot jump off or hurt themselves or us!", Hans Dietrich provides as an explanation to his slightly baffled troops. "We have a guide? How did you persuade him?", Griffith asks incredulously. "Being earnest and polite actually is a virtue that wins unexpected allies, Lieutenant", the German Captain remarks dryly. "I've never seen anyone do something like that before", the older American officer states with honest astonishment. "We've persuaded some folks to help us before, especially Jack, but surely never like that", Troy comments nonchalantly, as he joins them, while Griffith stalks over to his Jeep where his men load and bind the first goat.

"I like the trick with the goat. How did you do that?", Troy wants to know with honest curiosity. "It's no trick. I just let it lick the salty sweat from my hand which many herbivores like", Dietrich argues matter-of-factually. "Sure, Doctor Dolittle", the American Sergeant comments with a grin. "Troy. Don't you dare establish another nickname!", Hans growls with annoyance. "Wow. Gotta teach me that trick, Cap!", Tully interrupts them with a grin of his own. While the German Captain merely sighs, Troy starts laughing. "I said we will call him Doctor Dolittle from now on", Sam suggests. "Who's that?", Pettigrew asks curiously. "A guy who speaks all kinds of animal languages, a Doctor. It was Helen's favourite book as a kid. I had to read it to her at least a dozen times, when Ma didn't have the time", Troy explains, while the young officer looks a little less annoyed at the description. "Even at the risk of disappointing you, Sergeant, I have to admit that I merely speak a few human but no animal languages", Dietrich declares with dry humor. "You adopted Fritz and get along pretty well with those Arab horses. And that goat really liked you", Troy holds against him. "You count as an animal friend." "I'm glad you added the word 'friend' in this case", Hans comments with a smirk, making both Tully and Sam laugh loudly.

"Captain Dietrich", Riku Gottschlich calls desperately, looking slightly overwhelmed as he holds a little goat in his arms. Smiling with actual amusement at the young man's predicament, the German officer walks over to him and speaks a few calm words in Arabic, while scratching the little goat behind the ears. "Put it in the back of the Jeep and bind a rope around its neck, Corporal!", he orders with a smile. Troy joins them to help his young driver, while Pettigrew joins Corporal Turner to put another goat in the back of their Jeep which is struggling far more, although the young Bedouin tries to calm it. "You're really preparing well for your future as Arab prince and us being your desert raiders", Troy mutters with a conspiratorial grin. "Did Pettigrew filch some alcohol deposit lately or Brown provide you with a sample of his collection of dubious substances, Troy?", Dietrich inquires with dry sarcasm.

"Nothing of this kind. I was just wondering why you promised the kid to take all these animals along", Troy replies with a more serious tone. "Because these goats are likely his family's only possession and source of wealth. Forcing him to come along with us, leaving them behind would not have gained us his compliance, unless you would have been willing to intimidate, unnecessarily threaten and potentially beat up the boy", the German Captain replies with a stern tone and serious expression. "Okay. I get it. I wouldn't have wanted to beat a kid for some intel, though Brass Knuckles might have", the American Sergeant replies. "It's good he's not in command of this mission then. That's why I sent Carlos away, but wanted to keep an eye on him. He applies too much brawl and too little brain for my taste", Hans replies seriously, helping the two men who heave the next goat onto the Jeep's back by calming the animal through some gentle Arab words and Bedouin phrases he has heard herders use many times, already in his teenage days.

After a few adventurous minutes all twelve goats are loaded onto the Jeeps, while the Bedouin boy Ahmed holds the smallest one cradled in his arms, while riding along on the Jeep with Turner, Pettigrew and Dietrich whom he trusts the most and directs toward the hideout. For the next half of an hour they have to drive more slowly than usual, given their additional delicate load, while constantly watching for enemy forces. Nonetheless, Ahmed's eyes glow with pride and joy, as he observes the desert pass him by faster than he has ever experienced before. This is truly an adventure for the young Bedouin. Finally, Ahmed shakes Dietrich's left shoulder and then points toward a rock wall ahead of them. "*The cave is over there, just behind the next dunes. I can show you. But your metal camels will be too loud and tell the bad men that you're coming*", he shouts to the German officer who nods in understanding, before giving the hand signal to halt the Jeeps. "Why are we stopping?", Griffith bellows his question. "Because the cave is just behind the next dunes and our metal camels will be too loud", Hans deadpans and truly savors the American Lieutenant's dumbstruck expression, while Tully hides his smirk behind his matchstick. Sometimes he really adores their Captain for putting the arrogant brass in their place in a clever way like this which neither Sarge nor Doc can do in a similar fashion. Troy grins like the Cheshire Cat, considering Griffith absolutely deserving of Dietrich's mischief.

The German Captain scales the dune as his lookout, followed by Troy and Griffith, while the rest of the men try to keep the goats from bleating too loudly, lest they give away their position. When the goats' sounds behind him mix with similar sounds ahead, the tall officer stops short in his tracks. "*Do you know of others bringing their goats out here, Ahmed?*", he inquires with a quiet whisper. The young Bedouin looks astonished. "*No, faris alsahra. All of us know that we must not bring our animals here or the foreign soldiers will beat or kill us*", he replies with a scared tone, moving closer to the man who is the commander of the soldiers around him and has promised to protect him. "We must find out what is going on. None of the natives should bring any animals here for herding", Hans whispers to Troy and Griffith who both scowl grimly. "*It sounds like camels and donkeys, faris alsahra*", Ahmed tries to be helpful by pointing out his observation. Now, Dietrich frowns, as he considers this additional information. Camels and donkeys are mainly used for transportation, unlike goats. This could be exactly what he has been looking for, a German hideout and supply depot, supporting the besieged fort and oasis town.

Indicating all of them to be silent by moving his index finger to his lips, the German Captain swiftly scales the dune to its ridge, where he lies down to gain cover. Troy follows closely, along with Griffith and Ahmed. The sight before them is surprising for the young officer, as he would have expected a small caravan of maybe six to eight camels or donkeys, but not more than a dozen pack animals. Three Arabs with head clothes hiding their faces move in front of or behind the animals to drive them on toward a cave. When one of the donkeys suddenly stops, the man at the back runs forward and shouts at it. Hans tenses slightly. Knowing both German and Arabic, he is rather sure that the shouts sound more like the intonation of the former than the latter. Calculating the distance and risk of running down the dune now, he jumps to his feet and mutters: "*Go back to our metal camels, Ahmed!*" "Griffith, inform Captain Boggs of the hideout location and organize the men to prepare for a potential attack, if we don't return within two hours! Troy, come with me! We need to hide among the animals", he commands sternly, as he descends the dune as quickly as possible. "What the hack...", the American Sergeant grumbles, jumping to his feet, while Griffith growls: "Crazy kraut." Given their precarious situation, Troy decides to let the comment slip for now, as quarreling would give them away. But he sure as hell will pay the damned brass back later. Nobody may insult his friends behind their back like that.

While the German Captain and his Sergeant make their way down the dune as quickly as possible, Griffith scrambles down the sandy slope in the other direction, followed by a timid looking Ahmed who hides in the back of the Jeep where he has left his little goat before, while the brutal looking man calls the other men together. Dietrich is the faster one to reach the herd and duck his head to not stand out among them, while Troy reaches the safety of the herd in between camels and donkeys as well when the accursed beasts start protesting through loud noises which only earn them some more angry shouts from their handlers. The three men in Arab kaftans wear German army boots, clearly visible now that Hans can see their feet. And their shouts of "Schnauze!", 'Blödes Vieh!", "Scheißkamel!" or "Drecksesel!" are unmistakably German. "They're Germans", the Captain informs his Sergeant with a whisper. "What's your plan?", Troy asks quietly. "Sneak inside their hideout covered by the animals, get an overview and either take them by surprise or move out again to warn our allies of this facility and its location", Dietrich whispers back with a hushed voice. The loud bleating and further noises of the donkeys and camels covers their conversation perfectly though. Troy nods in agreement and stays in cover in between the herd along with his German commander.

Two minutes later they can already make out the entrance of the cave which apparently serves as the Germans' hideout. The first man now leads the animals inside, while the second one stands in the entranceway to check on them while entering. The two Allied commando soldiers duck down low and concentrate on moving along with the herd without causing any disturbance. The sentry at the door tenses, as he notes a movement among the beasts, when his third comrade shouts: "Karl, hilf mir mit dem sturen Drecksesel!" Dietrich thanks whichever deity for the stubborn donkey that has distracted them for the second time now. Maybe he should adopt the beast and name it 'Troy'. That surely is a worthy family member for the stubborn Sergeant and his unnerving brother. With their path clear, they make their way into a large cavern that serves as the foreroom of the German supply depot and hideout.

Noticing a niche that can hide them well from view, Sam Troy grabs his lean friend by the left arm and pulls him along to hide them from detection. Both listen to the noises and voices outside which indicate that the beasts of burden are driven into a corner of the cavern where they are to wait to be loaded. "Wenn der elende Esel noch einmal Ärger macht, erschieß' ich das Drecksvieh!", the German soldier who has suffered the most from the beast's escapades complains loudly about the donkey, threatening to shoot it. "Verschwend' deine Kugel nicht, Hans!", another German admonishes him not to waste his bullet. "Ruhe, ihr Idioten! Ein Schuß erregt Aufmerksamkeit genauso wie dieses Gezanke und die wollen wir nicht", the third man orders harshly to be quiet, as they do not want any attention which a shot would draw to them just like their quarreling. Both other German soldiers fall quiet and Dietrich concludes that the man is either a Feldwebel or an officer from his command tone. Footsteps, which get softer until only the sounds of the beasts remain, indicate that the Germans have left.

"What was that about? What did they say?", Troy wants to know and receives a concise summary as well as his conclusions from his ally. "You're really an asset to have along, Captain", the American Sergeant comments, patting the young German officer on the shoulder. "Not just for my animal skills", Hans replies with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Although our most valuable ally was a donkey who distracted the Germans frequently." "Maybe we call him Davey", Sam suggests. "I was considering calling him Troy", Dietrich counters dryly, while glancing into the foreroom of the cavern which is now deserted. "Davey Troy, the donkey. Perfect name", the American Sergeant agrees, while he also checks their surroundings. "Looks like the coast is clear. Let's find something to blow up!" "Sergeant", the German Captain groans quietly, as he sneaks out of their hideout, keeping close to the wall.

Their quick search of the cavern reveals two exits and nobody in this part which serves as a hidden stable for their pack animals. "There's a guard at the first exit and two more at the other one. Let's take the one with just one guard!", Troy suggests and Dietrich immediately agrees. "I will not be able to help you a lot with knocking out the guards, but I can speak with them in German and distract them." Together they silently and stealthily approach the exit with a single guard. "Wer ist da?", the guardsman wants to know, when he receives the strange answer: "Niemand." Stepping into the doorway to check what is going on, Sam Troy's knife in his throat ends his life quietly and quickly. "What did you say?" "He asked who is there and I replied with nobody", Dietrich translates quietly after checking that the next room is a storage room devoid of further soldiers. "Moffit would be proud of us. We sneak into the cave under the guise of beasts and introduce ourselves as 'nobody', just like Odysseus did with the cyclop Polyphemus. Now we simply need to blind him by destroying their radio and facilities and escape with our beasts again." "No wonder you're Jack's best buddy now. You're just as much of a crazy know-it-all as he is", Troy comments with amusement, as he hides the German soldier's dead body behind several storage crates.

Meanwhile, his German companion is already checking the content of these crates based on the supply list next to the door and their meticulously placed labels. German diligence has its merits after all Dietrich notes proudly. "I have a present for you, Troy, two crates with grenades and other explosives. It should be in the second row on the third shelf." "Why have I ever rummaged through crate after crate, when Jack could just have read the supply list for me?", Troy complains. "He's British, not German", Hans comments dryly. "I always knew you'd make a brilliant ally, Captain", the American Sergeant argues, beaming from ear to ear, as he takes several German Stielgranaten from the crate and fixes them on his belt. "Want one?", he offers to the German officer who reluctantly accepts the grenade. "Promise me that we will try other options before blowing everything up, Sergeant. Being stuck in a cave with the potential risk of being blown up holds no good memory for me", Hans demands with a serious tone. "Me neither. Good we made it outta there", Troy replies grimly. "You have my word, Captain." Dietrich nods and continues skipping over the supply list. "Second row, fourth shelf. There should be a crate with flamethrowers, German Flammenwerfer. These might be extremely useful and terrifying in the close vicinity scenario", he advises, although feeling highly uncomfortable with the idea of burning any German soldiers alive. But with only the two of them against any amount of soldiers on this base, they may need any advantage they can possibly gain, as Sam Troy is the only truly battlefit trooper between the two of them. "Next time I complain about the Jerries and their obsession with lists remind me how useful this is", Troy replies with actual gratitude.

Once equipped to Dietrich's liking, they cautiously continue onward. Troy has equipped the backpack of the flamethrower and holds its nuzzle in both hands, ready to use it, while carrying his reserve automatic gun over the shoulder. "Next time we take Tully with us when plundering the German storages", Troy comments happily, as he regards his latest toy, the flamethrower, for the usage of which the tall Captain has instructed him briefly. "I'm sure he will enjoy the looting", Hans comments dryly, as he cautiously moves toward the other entrance. The noises of the animals hide their conversation efficiently. When they close in on the entrance however, a German officer followed by two soldiers in regular uniforms steps out of the door. "Stehenbleiben und Hände hoch, wenn Sie nicht elendiglich verbrennen wollen!", Dietrich bellows sternly, as he raises his Colt, aiming with his left arm, while Troy positions the flamethrower to point it at the men threateningly. The three Germans look absolutely dumbstruck. "Wer sind Sie?", the officer asks the skinny man in the American officer's uniform who he is. "Niemand ... mein Name ist nicht von Belangen", Hans dodges the question, replying that he is nobody or at least his name is not of relevance, since he does not want to be uncovered before they have the situation under control. "Ich bin der befehlshabende Offizier einer Kommandoeinheit, die Ihr Versteck hier umstellt hat. Ihre Wachen sind bereits ausgeschaltet. Ich rate Ihnen daher, sich zu ergeben", the German Captain bluffs partially, mixing truth with exaggeration, as he argues that he is the commander of a commando unit which has encircled their hideout, gotten rid of the guards and that he would recommend to surrender.

The German Afrikakorps officer stares from Troy to Dietrich in disbelief. That the skinny German speaking officer, only backed up by a single soldier, asks for his surrender is ridiculous to the proud man. "Wir werden uns nicht ergeben!", he insists not to surrender, sneering: "Aber ich biete euch an, euch zu ergeben." Troy recognizes the impertinent tone and guesses from the similarity of the words to Dietrich's offer of surrendering that the Jerry wants to take them prisoners. That surely will not happen as long as he carries this flamethrower. "Ich beschwöre Sie, dass Sie diese Entscheidung besser noch einmal überdenken, Herr Leutnant!", Hans implores him to rethink this decision, addressing the man as Lieutenant, as he can deduce the rank from his uniform's shoulder straps. The young Captain has noticed Troy's expression hardening and he knows the American Sergeant well enough as both friend and foe to be assured that this does not bode well for the German soldiers. Underestimating the commandos has been the most frequent mistake which has cost many of his former colleagues in the Afrikakorps their lives.

"Leutnant Burgstaller!", a soldier calls and runs into their standoff. Before anybody else can react, Sam Troy activates the flamethrower and Hans doges backwards merely on instinct, while the Germans in front of him are caught directly in the most destructive area. Cries of pain and horror resound which briefly paralyze the former Panzer commander who has to consciously fight against being overwhelmed by the flashbacks this causes him. By the time he has shaken off the grip of the post-traumatic horror, the four men have collapsed to the ground, not yet reduced to charred husks, but suffering immensely in front of his very eyes. Fighting against the nausea caused by the stench of burning human flesh, as he draws his bandana up in front of his mouth, the German Captain points his gun and fires four precise shots in short succession, each killing a man. Being burnt alive is a horror and this is the only mercy he can possibly provide them with in this situation.

As an eerie silence settles on the scene, only interrupted by the sizzling sounds of the flames still consuming the uniforms and bodies drenched with the inflammatory substance, the young officer bellows loudly: "Wir geben Ihnen eine Minute sich zu ergeben, bevor Sie das Schicksal Ihrer Kameraden erleiden. Lebendig verbrennen ist die blanke Hölle. Überlegen Sie sich gut, ob Sie wirklich Ihr Leben so sinnlos wegwerfen wollen! Werfen Sie die Waffen weg und kommen mit erhobenen Händen heraus!" His ultimatum to surrender within a minute unless they want to suffer their comrades' fate of being burnt alive is underlined by the stink of burning flesh waving into the German underground base, integrated into the network of caves. Several men heed his warning whether they want to throw away their lives needlessly and follow his orders to throw away their weapons and surrender with raised arms. "Bitte nicht feuern! Wir ergeben uns", a German soldier calls with a panicked voice. "Don't fire, Troy! They want to surrender", the German Captain tells his Sergeant who takes a few steps backwards to have enough space and time for reacting should one of the Jerries betray them. Dietrich might trust them, because they are his own people, but the Captain has been sold out and almost tortured to death by his former side, so the American Sergeant prefers to be cautious, since the only German whose word he has ever trusted stands at his side now.

Five soldiers step outside of the door one after the other. Each German has raised his hands above his head and indeed none of them appears to be armed. "Wie viele Ihrer Kameraden sind noch drinnen?", Dietrich inquires, recognizing only one of the men who have driven the animals to the cave. When the German soldiers merely exchange insecure glances, the German Captain changes his strategy and bellows with an angry tone: "Ich weiß, dass noch wenigstens zwei von Ihnen drinnen sind. Wenn Sie nicht wollen, dass wir sie elend mit den brennenden Leichen ersticken, dann reden Sie jetzt! Das ist ein Befehl!" The man has the demeanor of a German officer in spite of his American uniform, which lends him a natural authority in the eyes of the Wehrmacht soldiers. Along with the livid command tone of the former Panzer Hauptmann this serves to intimidate all of them. The young officer can read the fear and doubt in their eyes, especially when he reminds them of their dead comrades' fates, ordering to answer his question how many of them are still inside, unless they wish to see them suffocate from the smoke and stench. Seeing their four comrades' bodies burning right in front of them adds to the discouraging effect. One of the Wehrmacht soldiers is freezing with fear and another cowering against the wall, whimpering: "Acht Leute sind noch drinnen. Bitte töten Sie uns nicht!"

"Ich bedanke mich für die Kooperation", the German Captain remarks sternly, as the man has given away the information he has demanded out of cowardice. From the angry and distasteful looks of the man's comrades, Dietrich concludes that the information is actually the truth. Seeing no further purpose in adding to this farce of intimidation, he informs Troy who still has the nuzzle of the flamethrower pointed at the entrance. "He said that eight more men are inside. I believe him or rather his comrades' anger over the betrayal." Then he turns back toward the German Afrikakorps soldiers and addresses them with a stern and serious tone: "Meine Herren, Sie stehen als ordentliche Soldaten, die sich in Kriegsgefangenschaft ergeben haben unter dem Schutz der Genfer Konvention, allerdings nur solange Sie sich kooperativ verhalten und uns nicht angreifen." Hans Dietrich argues sternly that as prisoners of war they are protected by the Geneva convention, but this will last only as long as they are cooperative and do not attack them. Troy can control the entrance with his flamethrower and automatic gun with and without the injured Captain as a backup of this Dietrich is sure. That Griffith has followed his orders and is ready to come down and take over the prisoners Hans can only hope.

"Sie gehen langsam weiter zum Höhlenausgang und dort können Sie auf meine weiteren Männer warten!", the lean officer orders the German soldiers to walk outside before him. The Germans obey his stern command without resistance, although they all keep their distance from the blond young man who has betrayed them and now hangs his head in an obviously ashamed manner. No Jeeps are waiting outside, but that is to be expected, since they would have given away their advantage of surprise and the stealthy infiltration. As he needs his left arm for pointing his weapon at the soldiers, keeping them under control, Hans Dietrich has to use his right arm for signaling to the commandos. Forcing himself to show a grim rather than obviously pained expression, he motions his arm to provide the signals to Pettigrew and Gottschlich who are familiar with his signals that two of the Jeeps should come down.

The well-known sound of the motors of the LRDP vehicles announces their arrival merely a minute later. Instead of Troy, Lieutenant Griffith has taken the position at the Browning .50 caliber gun behind Gottschlich, while Turner rides with Pettigrew. "You've been successful, Captain Dietrich", the muscular American officer barks. All of the Germans stare at the lean officer who has taken them prisoners, although not all understand the English title and American pronunciation of the German name. "Hauptmann Dietrich", one of the men addresses him and the former Wehrmacht officer meets his gaze and nods. "Der bin ich." Shock registers on the man's face at the realisation that he is not a German speaking American, but an actual German officer who has switched sides. "Wieso arbeiten Sie für die Amerikaner?", the young man inquires incredulously why he works for the Americans. "Das bräuchte jetzt zu lange, um es zu erklären, Soldat", Dietrich deflects the question, arguing that it would take too long to answer.

Then, the tall German Captain addresses the LRDP soldiers: "Turner, you guard the prisoners! Gottschlich, you take a Thompson gun and assist him. You also speak and understand German, should that become relevant. Don't get distracted!" Both young soldiers salute.

Then, Dietrich addresses the two remaining men who have already armed themselves with Thompson guns. "Pettigrew, Griffith, you will come with me! We will support Sergeant Troy to take the eight remaining German soldiers under arrest or out of the fight." Both nod with grim expressions, before marching into the cave, while Dietrich still remains outside and works on the radio to call the other half of his patrol. "Green Falcon speaking", one of the men answers the call. "Green Falcon 2, this is Green Falcon 1", Dietrich replies matter-of-factually. "We have just taken five German soldiers as prisoners. Corporal Gottschlich and Turner will guard them and the cave entrance. I need you to circle the area and check whether there are further exits through this network of caves and keep their comrades from fleeing. Eight men remain. Two might wear Arab kaftans. Over." "Understood, Captain. Over and out", Griffith's Sergeant confirms their orders. While the German officer switches off the radio, he can already observe the first Jeep starting its round. Noticing the lack of any goats or their herder, Hans inquires now: "Where is Ahmed?" "We left him and the goats behind the dune", Eric Turner replies. Dietrich nods approvingly and then follows his men into the cave.

Sam Troy still has the flamethrower directed at the door, as he grumbles "finally" without averting his gaze from the entrance. "Move forward, Sergeant! Pettigrew you follow, then I. Griffith, you cover the rear!", the German Captain orders quietly, directing his soldiers with brief hand signals. "Gottschlich and Turner will cover the entrance along with the prisoners. Our other Jeeps circle the area to keep the Germans from fleeing through other cave exits." "Smart", Sam comments approvingly. "You taught me well, Sergeant", the lean Captain replies dryly. "Let's move forward, gentlemen!" Troy considers how good it is that the German officer is no longer working against them, as he has truly been an excellent student and would likely give them a lot more of a challenge than their current opponents do. All three American soldiers follow their CO's command diligently without complaint and for the first time, the young officer feels somewhat more at home with the compliant attitude of the Yankees.

While Troy cautiously leads the way, Tully stays ready to shoot and Hans relies on his ears as much as on his eyes to detect any danger ahead of them, while trusting Griffith to cover their rear. As none of the remaining German soldiers has attempted to surrender since his original offer or even shown himself, the Captain assumes that they have decided to make their last stand which will make this mission a bloody one, unless they try to flee through a different exit. Moving forward through the tunnels, they constantly remain alert, as the lack of resistance or any signs of the enemy is grinding on their nerves.

At a creaking sound of a door, Troy activates the flamethrower which is followed by howls of pain immediately as one German soldier stumbles forward into their lines of fire, while another can be heard thrashing inside. This time, the German officer is less affected by his traumatic memories and shoots the man through the head with a single well-aimed shot, making him collapse immediately. "Move forward cautiously! Prepare for further resistance and kill the other guard quickly!", Dietrich orders sternly. Tully shifts his matchstick, while Troy nods grimly, as both move forward. Sam is a lot more relieved now that he has heard the order and understood that killing the German soldiers with a single shot each has not been a coldblooded action by the young officer which he would have considered worryingly out of character for the Captain, but an act of mercy to spare the men a gruesome death. This proves to him that all is still well and Dietrich is still a humanist with a strict sense of honor and duty.

The room which Troy and Tully enter is a former office which has been cleared, leaving nothing to burn. Heeding the Captain's order Pettigrew shoots the desperately crying German soldier through the head with two shots, before looking for further ambushes. A shout resounds from the room next-door: "Kein Feuer! Oder euer Kamerad stirbt mit mir." "Hold your fire! He threatens to kill our comrade", Dietrich translates and orders his men to stand down. "Was wollen Sie?", he calls to the German, trying to find out what he wants, as he cautiously moves closer to the door. "Ich will hier lebend raus!", the German calls back with an almost hysterical tone that he wants out of all this alive. "Wenn Sie sich ergeben, wird Ihnen kein Leid geschehen wie auch Ihren Kameraden", the young Captain offers that if he surrenders, no harm will come to him. "Die Chance hatte unser Leutnant nicht", the enemy soldier counters with a hateful and accusatory tone that his Lieutenant has not had this chance.

"Die unglückliche Eskalation jener Situation ist bedauernswert, aber Ihre Situation ist anders. Sie haben mein Ehrenwort als Offizier, dass Sie anständig und gemäß der Genfer Konvention behandelt werden, wenn Sie sich ergeben", Hans offers again that he will be treated fairly and according to the Geneva convention, if he surrenders, reminding him that his situation is different from the unfortunately escalated previous standoff. "Ich will hier raus", the soldier demands again that he wants to leave. "Ich kann die Sicherheit ganzer Einheiten nicht für das Leben eines Mannes riskieren, noch dazu da ich ihn nicht einmal gesehen habe und nicht weiß, ob Sie lügen, wenn Sie mich erpressen", Dietrich argues that he cannot risk whole units over the life of a single man, especially when he does not know whether the German speaks the truth, since he has not actually seen the man. "Sie können ihn sich ansehen", the soldier offers to look at him. Although Hans suspects that this could be a potential trap, the German Captain agrees to the offer to come and take a look. When Troy sees him ready his Colt, he narrows his eyes, but Dietrich whispers to Tully: "Stay ready to attack, should he ambush me, Pettigrew, but don't shoot our own man! Troy, no fire while I'm inside!" Both nod and even though the American Sergeant scowls grimly, he understands the reason for the command.

The former Hauptmann moves with his weapon pointed ahead, ready to shoot, as he enters the room he can easily recognize as an interrogation cell. A few meters away stands a German Feldwebel who holds a bloodied, dark-skinned soldier in a chokehold and points a weapon at his head. The German soldier measures the skinny and bruised looking young officer with an almost indignant gaze. "Sie sind tatsächlich ein deutscher Offizier?", he asks almost contemptuously whether the other really is a German officer. Narrowing his eyes with indignation and wounded pride the tall Captain straightens his back and glares at the man, before growling: "Allerdings bin ich das." "Gut. Dann stirb, Verräter!", the German soldier replies icily that the traitor should die, while moving his gunpoint from the enemy soldier to the officer. Dietrich has almost expected this betrayal and aimed for the other's head since entering the room, before he now fires his first bullets before his opponent even has the chance. While his two bullets find their target, the other man's barely aimed shot grazes and ricochets off his helmet without doing any real damage, feeling only like a knock against the forehead.

When struck in the head, the dying German takes his hostage down to the ground with him, while behind the Captain Pettigrew and Troy storm in, ready to shoot. "Don't fire!", the young officer bellows sharply, as he cautiously moves closer. "We don't want to kill our own man." The downed dark-skinned soldier in a British uniform looks heavily bruised, obviously like he has received a beating. Tully has disarmed the German soldier and checked that he is really dead, before scowling at the other man. "You're a good shot, Robin Hood", Troy remarks with some actual respect, still holding his flamethrower ready. "I'm a trained artillery officer", Hans replies dryly, as he crouches next to the British soldier who lies with his eyes closed. "Private, can you hear me?", the German officer calmly addresses the man, shaking his shoulder gently. "You're the German...", the soldier slurs, as he opens his eyes to slits and recognizes the man who has negotiated with the German soldier fluently in his native language.

"I'm a German, but I defected to the U.S. army, Private. The men with me are all Yankees", Hans explains after a weary sigh, carefully controlling his voice to keep a calm and reassuring tone. "Sure we are", Troy confirms, while Pettigrew murmurs something indistinguishable. The dark-skinned man struggles to open his eyes fully now, glancing at the bruised man kneeling next to him. "Our Jeeps wait outside. There we can provide you with proper first aid treatment, if you are able to walk, when one of us supports you", Dietrich assures him calmly, leaving him little time to start asking annoying questions which can wait for later, once they are out of the immediate danger zone. "I can walk, Sir", the British soldier replies, recognizing the skinny man's clothing as an American officer's uniform which is consistent with his explanation. Dietrich nods and his gaze holds some concern for the injured man. "Good. What's your name, Private?" "Thomas Anaru", the soldier responds cautiously. "I'm Captain Hans Dietrich and these gentlemen are Sergeant Sam Troy and Private Tully Pettigrew", the German Captain replies, as he still keeps his reassuring tone. "We will get you to safety, before continuing further into the..."

The sound of the Browning gun and return fire from automatic guns warns them of some commotion outside. Lieutenant Griffith takes off running from his position in the interrogation room, while Troy and Tully make themselves ready to defend them all, should the need arise. Dietrich is the only one who remains in his kneeling position and speaks with the British soldier with some urgency: "I will help you up and provide you with support to make it outside of the cave as quickly as possible, Private Anaru. Do you think you can manage this?" The injured soldier nods, gritting his teeth to suppress a sound of pain, as he grasps the lean Captain's offered left hand and arm to let him pull both of them to their feet. The German hides a pained expression, while he helps their wounded ally who stands only a few inches less tall than he does at approximately Troy's height. As the least fit for combat, it is the most reasonable choice that he will help the man walk outside, while the two Rats will provide cover fire should the need arise. The ongoing gun shots and shouts do not bode well for the remaining German soldiers and for them, the young Captain thinks grimly, as he tenses when the sound of shooting resounds in the cave rather than outside. "They're closing in! Stay ready!", he orders sternly and both Troy and Peittgrew prepare themselves mentally and physically to make a stand, while Anaru leans against him for support.

Griffith's shouts along with automatic gunfire can be heard outside, before finally an eerie quiet settles in. "Troy, you move ahead!", Dietrich orders and the American Sergeant eagerly complies. As the one with the flamethrower he is the best qualified man to clear their way. In addition, being left in the dark and unable to act is not a state Sam likes at all. Tully Pettigrew follows close behind him with his automatic gun ready, before the Captain leads their rescued comrade from New Zealand along. "Captain!", Griffith bellows through the hallway, before bursting into the interrogation room where they all meet again. "We got the last five Jerries!", he reports with a triumphant smile. "I assume there are no further prisoners to report, Lieutenant", the German officer replies dryly. "They shot at us, we fired back", the American Lieutenant states without remorse. "Do you know more about which type of unit they were and their facilities down here, Private Anaru?", Dietrich addresses their Allied companion whom Griffith eyes with open distrust. "They're some kind of commando or scout unit that's hidden their base here, Captain", the man reports diligently through clenched teeth, trying to hide the pain he is in. "They took me prisoner, when I followed their camel unit, suspecting a secret supply line."

The German Captain nods with creased brows. "That makes sense. They were also rather large for a commando unit. Do you know what kind of infrastructure they have here in the base? We already found their storage, their stables and here their office, interrogation and holding cell." "I know that they have a radio unit somewhere, Captain, but I don't know where or about any other facilities", Anaru replies to the best of his knowledge. "Griffith, Pettigrew. Search the perimeter for this radio room and try not to destroy anything! We need all the intel we can find there. Troy, you come with me to finally handle our prisoners and help me with Private Anaru here!" "You know that Jack will tell you you're adopting strays again", the American Sergeant comments with a grin. "I'm no stray. I'm a Private of the 28th Maori battalion of His Majesty King George's noble army", the injured Private protests with wounded pride. "Don't take it personally, Private. He's trying to wound my pride, not yours", Dietrich tries to calm him with a dry humored tone. "You're a great fellow, Captain, especially for a Jerry, but I'd really prefer to get out of here and finally some morphine", the young man states wearily. Hans smiles wryly, as he moves forward and keeps supporting him. "You shall have your morphine and treatment soon, Private. You have my word on that."

The longer their way takes the more the German Captain feels the strain himself and winces when the Private leaning on him stumbles, as his injured shoulder protests, although the young man mainly leans against his left side. "You'd rather send someone else to support me?", Anaru inquires crisply. "I have no one else, Private. And I am the least battlefit soldier of my unit, given my own injuries", Dietrich replies matter-of-factually, grimacing with wounded pride at the admission, before something occurs to him. "I'm sorry that I didn't consider that you're not comfortable with a German in such close proximity after what happened to you, Private. I'll leave you in peace, as soon as we're out of this cave." Thomas Anaru wonders how he has managed to get this so wrong. The tall lean German is not tense and wincing because of feeling uncomfortable with him, but because of his own injuries. "I'm fine with you, if you're with me", he states more cautiously than before. The bruised Captain briefly glances at him with a puzzled expression and concern in his brown eyes.

"You can still handle the guy, Captain?", Troy inquires, briefly glancing over his shoulder. "We will manage to get out of this cave, Sergeant. Until then, I rely on your vigilance to protect us", Dietrich declares sternly. "Even as the least battlefit you're still a good shot, especially with your off hand", Troy assesses as they continue. "Your off hand?", the New Zealander inquires slightly incredulously. "No need to concern yourself, Private. I'm well trained to shoot even with my left hand after he shot me in the right chest for the second time. And I've aimed for your abductor since entering the room, suspecting betrayal. I wouldn't have shot, if I had thought the risk high to kill one of our own men", Dietrich argues reassuringly. "He shot you?", the Private asks even more incredulously. "That was more than a month ago, when you still were with the Afrikakorps, Captain!", Troy protests indignantly. "I swear to you I won't shoot at you now that you're one of us!" Thomas Anaru looks alarmed now. "You've not been with us for long", he mutters a bit nervously. "I have my reasons for switching sides which are beyond doubt in the eyes of the Allied command, I assure you", Hans declares with grim conviction. "You need not fear for your life, Private Anary." "Yeah, he's still black and blue from the last beating the Jerries gave him", Troy comments grimly. "Next time we just shoot the SS bastards without any pallaver." "Troy", Dietrich interrupts him with an indignant tone. "Although most of the SS are armed fanatics who want to further the Nazis' ideology, they also forced every policeman in Germany and Austria after its integration into the Reich to become an officer of the SS. That's why I still insist on negotiating." Anaru is bemused and wondering whether he is hallucinating from his injuries, as his rescuers are even stranger than his foreign captors.

When the stench of burnt flesh gets more intense, the German officer who supports him mutters: "I recommend that you don't breathe through your nose and mostly hold your breath, Private Anaru. The burnt corpses are still in the entranceway." The Maori soldier nods and braces himself against the onslaught of the stench, while leaning on the tall Captain who leads him onward with determination. The American Sergeant is the first to step over the burnt corpses when he notices some movement out of the corner of his eyes. Whirling around, Sam Troy recognizes a rather scared looking tabby cat as the culprit that is ducking behind the body it has sniffed with a hiss, trying to intimidate the bulky and scary looking human. "Troy, don't continue murdering innocent animals!", Hans admonishes sternly. "That beast looks feral", the American Sergeant grumbles, glaring at the cat that stares back intensely with yellow eyes. "So do you, when you fear for your life and are ready to fight to the death", the German Captain argues with a strict tone. "It's their pet", Thomas Anaru provides helpfully. "Exactly what I thought. It's a pet, not a beast trained for killing, Troy. Leave the cat be!", Hans orders sternly. Reluctantly, Sam Troy turns back to the entrance and leads them outside, seeing that their rescued comrade looks more and more exhausted and unwell.

The German soldiers are sitting on the ground, while they wait for the conclusion of their fate, tense with fear, when they see the American commando soldier who has burnt their comrades alive emerge from the cave with an almost murderous expression. "Troy, bind the prisoners for transportation! Gottschlich, bring the First Aid Kit. Private Anaru requires our attention", Dietrich orders sternly, as he helps the Allied soldier to sit down and lean his back against the Jeep's front wheel. For the first time, he has clear light and can recognize that the man's skin is deeply tanned and underneath the bruises and blood etched with intricate facial tattoos that spiral from his jawline to his temple which give him a more feral impression than the Australian Sergeant Williamson has left with the German Captain. Hans' left hand rests on the younger man's shoulder, as he inquires calmly: "Have you been beaten or otherwise injured along your chest and stomach, Private?" Seeing the proud young man tense, he adds cautiously: "I only ask you this, because we need to treat your injuries and I don't want to overlook internal bleedings, not to ridicule you in any way, Private."

Meeting the lean German's brown eyes which hold honest concern, Thomas Anaru replies while nodding his head: "They also kicked me and hit me, called me 'scalp'-something." "Skalpjäger", Dietrich supplies with a grim expression. "Your people are rumored to kill mercilessly and take the scalps of their victims." Anaru stares at him incredulously, as he comments: "We Maori are honorable warriors not savages. That's just absurd." "It's nonetheless your reputation among the regular German soldiers and many officers, even Fieldmarshal Rommel himself as far as I have heard", Hans remarks with a controlled tone, eyeing the man warily, as he cannot tell how he will react to this affront, since he is by now quite aware of his inherent pride, a concept the German can clearly empathize with. "You still helped me yourself, although they say things like that about my people among your people?", the Maori now asks incredulously. "I don't believe in rumors and prejudice against the so-called savages so easily. I've met more than most Germans in my youth and learned my lessons not to believe everything one is told", the German Captain replies with conviction.

"You're a better fellow than many of the Brits we have to deal with, Captain", Anaru comments with a smirk. "We're still not giving him to you. You can apply for our unit", Troy intercedes with an almost hurt tone. Noticing Anaru's dumbstruck expression, Hans Dietrich adds: "He's mainly jealous, because it was not clear for some time after my defection whether the British or American army would be willing to take me in. I have no intention to remove you from your comrades against your will, Private." "Looks like we weren't the lucky ones to get you then, e hoa", Thomas mutters. "Too bad." Seeing Dietrich frown at the foreign term, he explains: "It means 'comrade' or 'friend' in case you're wondering whether I tried to offend you, Captain." "I wasn't suspecting that, merely unsure whether I misheard or simply am unfamiliar with an English term", the German replies matter-of-factually. "It's not English", Anaru replies with a more friendly tone. "Yeah. Didn't sound very English to me", Troy comments nonchalantly. "Do you really wanna learn a new language now, while performing his first aid check, Captain? You're even worse than Moffit and I wouldn't have believed that's even possible", he admonishes the young officer with good-natured humor. "Troy, why is the concept of shutting up at the appropriate time constantly eluding you?", Hans inquires with dry sarcasm. "Cause I never learned your fancy speech, Captain. You use some English terms I barely know at all", the American Sergeant argues. "You're the only savage here, Troy", Dietrich counters dryly.

Their discussion is interrupted by two different aspects. On the one hand, Corporal Gottschlich, who has retrieved the First Aid kit and opened it to retrieve what they might need, motions to the Maori soldier to help him take off his shirt, while almost at the same time something presses against Dietrich thigh and proclaims its existence and suffering with a loud and indignant: "Meow!" "Minki", one of the Wehrmacht soldiers calls with astonishment, while the German Captain stares a bit baffled at the tabby cat which has placed its front paws on his thigh and looks at him expectantly. "There you go, Doctor Dolittle!", Troy comments with a laugh. "I told you you're our animal expert. Moffit will definitely scold you for adopting strays again." "Not killing unnecessarily is not the same as adopting any stray, Troy. But the cat would die, if we left it out here", Dietrich counters, while scratching the pet behind the ears which makes it purr with a content expression and appreciatively closed eyes. "Fritz will be jealous", the American Sergeant reminds him sardonically. "For God's sake, Troy. I'm not adopting the cat, merely rescuing it from dying out here of hunger and thirst." "Sure", Troy comments without believing him at all.

"Are they always like that?", Thomas Anaru whispers to Riku Gottschlich who nods with a slightly pained expression. "They haven't been any different since I first met them." "It must be fun with them around", the Maori comments with a grin, as he observes the interaction, while complying with the Corporal's calm orders who provides his first aid treatment. Gottschlich shrugs and looks a bit intimidated. "I don't know what to make of them half of the time." Although he grimaces and winces at the sharp pain, when the American checks his ribs, the New Zealander feels truly amused by the interaction. The gods must smile upon him to send him the most strange, curious and entertaining unit in the whole Allied army as his rescuers.

"Take off the helmet and let Gotty check your head as well! I saw that bullet graze off, but you still winced", Troy turns to annoying the German Captain in a different manner by playing the mother hen. "I'm fine, Sergeant. I'll get my head checked once this is completely over and I don't have to go into the cave any more. Putting it on and off is a pain with my shoulder", Dietrich declares sternly. "Fair enough. You don't look like you're keeling over for once", Troy grumbles in reply. Scowling at the insolent Yankee, Dietrich briefly crouches next to Anaru and mutters: "Corporal Gottschlich will take good care of your injuries. I need to organise my men, Private." "Sure, Captain", the young soldier mutters with a slight smile. With a nod, the tall lean officer stands up and looks around, when he hears the bleating of goats. Ahmed stands on top of a close by dune and two goats gaze down on them beside him.

"*Come down and stay for lunch!*", Dietrich calls to the youngster who has helped them greatly. Although it is already afternoon, they have not had any lunch yet and he is more than willing to share to show his appreciation. "*You can also have some donkeys and camels*", he offers. The herder's eyes widen with surprise, as he stares at the tall European with disbelief before driving his goats down. "How many languages does that fellow speak, your Captain I mean?", Thomas Anaru asks Gottschlich with a whisper, as he observes the lean Captain, while the Corporal diligently performs his treatment. "As far as I've heard he speaks English, German, Arabic, Italian and French", the young American replies quietly, unable ro hide the awe from his voice, while the Maori looks truly impressed. "He's really smart." Gotty nods, looking actually proud of his Captain, when he declares: "Captain Dietrich is a very clever, honorable and fair officer, the best I've ever known." The young commanding officer ignores their whispering as a necessity when treating a wounded comrade and welcomes the Bedouin goat herder, pointing him to the cave. "*I'm willing to give you three of the camels and donkeys as riding and pack animals for you, your brother and your mother, Ahmed. You deserve this as a reward for helping us bravely*", Dietrich announces with the formality due for his rank and station. The young Arab gapes at him open-mouthed, before welling over with expressions of gratitude and honorifics for his new idol. A bit unnerved by the youngster's behaviour, the European officer sends him into the cave to lead the camels and donkeys he wants to receive outside.

Then, with the straight attentive stance of a German officer Hans Dietrich turns to the Afrikakorps prisoners which Turner and Troy have bound by now and restrained their hands before their bodies. "Meine Herren, ich darf Sie um Ihre Namen bitten, damit wir Sie als Kriegsgefangene ordentlich registrieren können", Dietrich declares sternly that he asks for their names in order to register them as prisoners of war. "Maximilian Schröder, Gefreiter", the first soldier replies and salutes. "Karl Richter, Soldat", the only surviving man from the caravan states his name. "Emil Fischer, Soldat", the one who has betrayed the other states meekly. "Felix Hoffmann, Gefreiter", a fourth soldier reports, before the last one provides his identity as "Julian Weber, Feldwebel". Then, the German Sergeant puts the tall lean officer under scrutiny again, eyeing him from head to toe. "Herr Hauptmann, darf ich Sie nun fragen, weshalb Sie die Amerikaner unterstützen?" The former Wehrmacht Hauptmann cocks his head slightly, as he measures the Feldwebel with slightly narrowed eyes at the question which he has avoided to reply to before.

"Feldwebel Weber, ich bin vor etwa einem Monat von Offizieren der SS gefoltert und unschuldig für Hochverrat zum Tode verurteilt worden, obwohl mein einziges Verbrechen war, mich an die Prinzipien von Ehre und Anstalt zu halten, denen jeder deutsche Offizier verpflichtet ist", Hans Dietrich finally answers his inquiry why the German officer supports the Americans with a proud speech about having been innocently tortured and convicted to an unjust execution by the SS, although his only crime has been to to respect the principles of honor and decency applying to every German officer. The conviction in his tone speaks for his honesty, yet the Wehrmacht soldiers look at him warily. "Ich verstehe, dass Sie dann fliehen mussten, aber warum haben Sie sich nun gegen Ihre deutschen Brüder gewandt?", Weber continues the discussion that although he understands Dietrich's reason to flee, he cannot fathom why he has turned against his German brothers. Hans looks actually uncomfortable, as this is a morale conflict for him as well which he has initially refused. "Ich habe eines verstanden, als ich Zeuge der sinnlosen Verbrechen der SS wurde, nämlich dass der größte Feind meiner deutschen Heimat die Nationalsozialisten und ihr unmoralisches Regime sind. Mein Volk und mein Vaterland habe ich nie verraten, aber ich muss gegen meine einstigen Waffenbrüder kämpfen, um beide wieder in Freiheit sehen zu können. Es tut mir wahrhaft leid um jedes deutsche Leben, das ich dafür opfern muss."

Troy kneels with Gotty and Anaru now, leaving Turner to formally guard the German prisoners who all look more concentrated on listening to the debate between the Captain and their senior man than on trying to resist or flee. "That's a helluva pallaver. What's Dietrich sayin'?", the American Sergeant wants to know from the young Corporal who looks a bit intimidated by his grim expression. "Captain Dietrich said that when the SS convicted him to death for a treason he had not committed he understood that the greatest enemies of his German home are the Nazis and their immoral regime. He has never betrayed his fatherland and people, but has to fight against his German brothers to see both of them free and that he's truly sorry for every German life he has to sacrifice." Anaru puts the tall German Captain under scrutiny, as he summarises incredulously what he has just learned: "He's a loyal German officer and still helping us. How?" "He'll take the moral initiative, even if it costs him his life to stand up against the Nazis", Troy rises in defense of his friend. "Dietrich's honorable and decent to the last bone. And don't you dare threaten or harm him! We've seen stuff like that before and I swear to you I'll take off your head, if you even consider something like that, Private." "I wouldn't harm a noble warrior with a sense of honor. I respect that attitude", Thomas Anaru argues defensively, noticing the American Sergeant's aggressive reaction.

The subject of their discussion turns back around and looks at them wearily, noticing the three clustered together. "Is everything alright with the Private? Do you need further medical assistance?", the Captain inquires sternly, although concern is discernible in his eyes. "He's fine", Troy growls. "We're just making sure nothing gets misunderstood and you are almost killed again by one of your own men." Dietrich stares at him with a puzzled expression for a few seconds, before asking cautiously: "Sergeant Troy, what are you talking about?" "Gotty translated your explanation for us. I just wanted to make sure the Private here doesn't get strange ideas like the crazy Aussie who almost shot you", Troy explains with a stern tone and grim expression. Hans moves his eyes from Troy to Gottschlich and Anaru, trying to assess each of the men. The American Sergeant is honest, of this he has no doubt. Gottschlich appears insecure and somewhat intimidated which can also be pinpointed to Troy's behaviour, while the Maori Private looks at him directly with an unwavering gaze. Some emotion flickers in his dark eyes that the German officer cannot actually pinpoint.

When Tully Pettigrew comes out of the cave with a rather fast pace, the Captain ends his scrutiny and turns toward his Private. "Have you found the radio?" The American soldier nods, shifts his matchstick and replies: "Yeah, Cap. And some other stuff, you might be interested in. You'd better take the stethoscope with you." "A safe?", Dietrich inquires with questioningly raised eyebrows. Tully Pettigrew nods enthusiastically. "You're our master safe cracker, Cap. Thought I'd tell ya. Brass Knuckles is still cursing his bad luck to find a locked safe." While the Kentuckian gloats at the Lieutenant he obviously dislikes, the German Captain nods, as he kneels next to Gottschlich and the First Aid kit. "I hope you can lend me the stethoscope for a few minutes, Corporal. I'll return it afterwards." The Japanese descended American nods fervently, as he confirms: "Of course, Captain. I'm already done with this examination." "You're cracking a safe with that, Captain?", the Maori Private asks with a mixture of disbelief, awe and admiration. "I have no alternative and this is the safest and least destructive way, if it works out", Dietrich replies, trying to dodge the attention.

"Kia kaha!", the Maori tells him with conviction and notices the German furrowing his brows. "It means 'Stay strong!', Sir. Best of luck to you for that endeavour." Although surprise registers briefly on Hans Dietrich's face, he quickly regains his controlled and dignified mask of duty, as he nods back. "Thank you, Private. If all goes well, we will see each other in a few minutes and then we will have lunch. Corporal Gottschlich, you can already start with the preparations, once you're finished with treating the Private. Recruit any of Lieutenant Griffith's men, should they come to join us. The Arab boy has my allowance to lead three animals outside and take them with him after lunch. I offered him those three donkeys or camels as a reward for providing us with the information that led us here so quickly." Gottschlich salutes diligently. "Of course, Captain Dietrich." When the tall German stalks inside behind Pettigrew and followed by Troy, while Thomas Anaru inquires of the Japanese descended Corporal: "Can I help you with something, when we're done here? I hate just sitting around and doing nothing." "You can take care of the fire and kettle for warming our food and water for tea and coffee", Riku Gottschlich offers with a timid smile that the Maori soldier returns in a friendly manner. "Sure, mate."

When Dietrich steps over the corpses of the Germans for the fourth time today, he states icily: "We need to bury them, once we're done here." Troy and Tully know better than to argue with him. "Getting their tags will be a bit tough", the American Sergeant argues. "I will leave that to you, since this is your handiwork, Sergeant", the German Captain growls, sounding a bit more aggressive than he has intended. "You made me aware of that flamethrower, Captain", Troy barks back defensively. Dietrich sighs wearily and applies an apologetic tone: "I know, Troy. With two men against a whole base we were out of options. I didn't mean to accuse you personally. I'm mainly frustrated that we couldn't avoid this senseless slaughter... Burning alive is one of the worst ways to die I've ever witnessed." Seeing the hunched shoulders of the tall German officer walking in front of him, Sam Troy believes his apology immediately and finally understands what has haunted him since the previous day.

"It's not your fault, Captain", Sam tries to reassure his friend. "You tried everything and offered them the chance to surrender, all of them. They just weren't clever enough to take the offer", he intends to console his friend whose whole body tenses slightly at the words. "I know you feel sorry for killing your own people, your former comrades in arms even, but you're doing the right thing, Captain, making a stand for your home, fighting against those Nazi bastards." Hans nods wearily, briefly closing his eyes, before he replies more quietly: "I know, Troy. It still feels hard and even wrong sometimes to make certain decisions." "You're the master of making the morally right decision, even if it could backfire and hurt you a lot, Captain. That's what I've always respected you for. You're anything but a coward. Doing what you do takes more guts than some of our guys could even start to imagine", Troy argues, patting the younger man on the back who winces at the first touch, but relaxes ever so slightly after a few seconds. "Thanks, Troy, for understanding this not in the wrong way."

Tully listens quietly, but lets the two friends interact undisturbed, as he leads them through the guard room, passing the interrogation and holding cell by, before turning into another corridor neither Troy now Dietrich know yet. Four small rooms next to one another contain four beds each, while a fifth small room has only a single bed and small chest as furniture. "We should take all their backup uniforms, considering how often we're dressing up in different uniforms as a disguise and will have to infiltrate German bases. Besides that, any fabric is valuable in this war of supplies", Dietrich orders, pointing at the rooms. Tully and Troy nod. "We'll take all we can find", the American Sergeant confirms, while the Private nods. "The radio room is the last one down this corridor. That's also where the safe is as well", Tully points out, before turning into one of the bed rooms. Troy briefly grabs the young officer's upper left arm to stop him, inquiring: "You want me to come with you or help Tully, Captain?"

Dietrich scowls at him briefly, before arguing: "You cannot really help me with cracking the safe or taking care of the documents, Troy, and I doubt anything will happen to me in a secured bunker within a distance of few meters, so you can help us all in a better way by supporting Pettigrew with gathering uniforms and the soldiers' belongings which might help identifying them, should the tags be burnt into their flesh too deeply. We don't loot or steal though. What belongs to the men outside as personal effects, like letters, should be returned to them. They will need any reminder of their home they can keep, when they become prisoners of war." Troy nods with a scowl. "Sure, Captain. Wouldn't have occurred to me to steal or take such souvenirs." "Not to you, Troy, of this I had no doubt", Hans reassures him calmly, "but I wouldn't put it beyond Pettigrew. What belonged to the dead he may take, but anything belonging to the living, I wish them to receive back." "I'll take care of it, Captain. Tully sure respects you enough to heed your orders", Sam confirms.

"Sure do, Cap", comes the call from the neighbouring room, before Tully Pettigrew's head emerges from the door with a smile. "Thanks for letting me take the dead guys' stuff. A man gotta make a livin'", he adds. "I really don't need to know that, Pettigrew, and don't expect me to get you out of trouble, should somebody come after you. Whatever is of strategic relevance, such as diaries, uniforms and anything military, is to be handed over officially, anything else would fall into the hands of the Arabs and others anyways, if we would leave it behind. What can be used as reparation, is at your discretion to share with your unit, Private." "Which includes you, Captain", Tully remarks. "After yesterday I'm not sure whether that's wise." Hans sighs wearily. "Yesterday you scammed your own Allied comrades with a betting game which is completely different from taking left behind belongings of your former enemies. I don't approve of filching bodies though, unless searching for strategic information", the German Captain counters sternly. "Okay, Cap. I'll bring anything that could be relevant and let you decide", he finally concedes and returns to the room to continue with his work. "Show old Brass Knuckle how cracking a safe works! I'm considering joining you, just to see his face when you do", Troy remarks as a goodbye, turning into a different room than Tully after patting the German Captain on the shoulder.

Lieutenant Griffith awaits Hans Dietrich eagerly, as the younger officer can tell from the pacing in the room his ears pick up before he even enters. "Captain, finally! What took you so long?", the American Lieutenant grumbles with relief. "Sending Pettigrew and Troy to check the remaining rooms for anything of strategic relevance, confiscating uniforms and whatever else we can get", the German Captain replies cautiously. "I told my men to check for the dog tags and any documents on the krau... Jerries we shot outside, before they bury them and then return to the cave entrance", Griffith reports eagerly. For once, Dietrich is actually proud of the unruly American officer, as he replies with an honest smile: "Thank you for being so considerate, Lieutenant." Griffith grins in a manner that reminds of a shark, when he bears his teeth. "You're welcome, Captain. Still remember how you told us off over that damned Major you liked even less than any of us. A matter of principle and honor. I can respect that." Hans would not have believed that he would find such common ground one day with the rough sometimes brutal and bullheaded officer, but is grateful nonetheless.

"There's the radio, Captain", Griffith points at the technical device which has been left behind by the German troops. "They burnt most of their documents, but we found some mostly intact at the bottom", he points a several charred sheets of paper, where the most intact only have their rims singed. Dietrich picks them up cautiously not to destroy anything even further, before he skims them quickly, skipping over the details, while reading only the title and date of every sheet as the most relevant information. "These are orders from the last two weeks. They arranged placing some of the fort's supplies here to hide them in case of a siege or Allied attack. A caravan of three men with the donkeys and camels has provided a steady supply route in both directions, cleverly disguised as Arabs. The German commander speaks some Arabic according to the goat herder and obviously knows enough about their culture to use it as a disguise and to their advantage", the German Captain summarises for the Lieutenant who nods, but then inquires: "How did you recognize them as not Arabs, Captain?" "The boy told me that the locals are afraid of the German soldiers, when they bring their animals to this area for grazing, nonetheless those three men led more than a dozen pack animals in this direction. Naturally, I became suspicious", Dietrich explains to him calmly. "You're really a sly fox, as they say", Griffith expresses his admiration.

"Pettigrew mentioned a safe", the younger officer quickly switches the topic, as the older American's praise is something he feels somewhat awkward with. Immediately, Griffith's expression turns sour, when he hears the word 'safe'. "There it is, just to annoy us. They locked everything in there, those damned krauts", he rants angrily, not even noticing this time that he is offending the German Captain. "Calm yourself, Lieutenant! I have been taught some ways to open such a safe, even without the combination", Dietrich admonishes sternly. "But I need you to stand still for this and stay quiet, because any noise would distract and sabotage me." The American Lieutenant stares at him rather dumstruck for a few seconds, before recovering. "Those rumors about you cracking saves are actually true? I thought the Aussies had made that up, just to annoy us", he mutters incredulously. "It's not a fake story", Hans confirms with a weary sigh. As he puts the plugs of the stethoscope into his ears and steps up to the safe with Griffith's eyes following his every movement.

As he is no professional safe cracker, Dietrich can only rely on his own experience with using a safe for guarding his documents in order to guess whether to turn the dial clockwise or counterclockwise for the beginning. As the clockwise movement rotates the dial by more than 360 degree without hearing any sound, he tries the other direction, until he recognizes a soft click. Then, Hans switches the direction again to clockwise until he can make out a soft clicking noise and finally moves the dial in the other direction again. When the third click of the combination can be heard, the German Captain breathes a sigh of relief. This has been awkward enough without failing his attempt of safecracking in front of Griffith. When he turns the handle, the safe opens with a soft creacking noise and the American Lieutenant immediately moves next to him to look into the safe. "Frankly, Captain, I'm impressed. That's mighty handy to know and an actual feat as a commando officer", the typically reserved and rough older American officer commends him with actual admiration. "How on earth did you do that?" "I merely listened to the soft noise, when the right combination moves the mechanical parts within the lock, and then stopped. It's surprisingly simple", Hans Dietrich explains a bit sheepishly. "When you got ears like a bat it might be. Well done, Captain", Griffith comments and pats the lean German on the shoulder rather roughly, making him wince with actual pain, although Hans knows this is meant as a friendly gesture.

Looking at the folders and booklets in his hands, the younger officer scans them quickly, before breaking into a wide smile. "This is actually worth more than finding the base and capturing the troops and supplies. Those are the current German codebooks for their codes in North Africa. As long as they are active, I can decipher any coded messages for our side with these", the Captain announces with a wide smile. Without even thinking whether he hurts the younger man, Griffith pats the lean German on the back again in a gesture intended to be friendly, if he would not apply it in such a rough and stormy manner. "That's brilliant news. We gotta tell Captain Boggs. This is reason to celebrate!" Dietrich suppresses a groan of pain and mutters: "It is indeed. As the supplies of weapons, but also other equipment are too valuable for our side to leave behind unguarded and the Jeeps don't have enough loading space for the supplies and the prisoners in addition to us, I would suggest that you stay here with your men and your two Jeeps, guarding the prisoners, keeping the animals which I want to entrust to our scouts and keep for trading with the locals, until we can relieve you tomorrow, Lieutenant. I will drive to meet the main convoy and send trucks for transporting the supplies and men along with some of our LRDP Jeeps as guards." Griffith nods in agreement, looking rather happy with the idea. "Sounds good to me, Captain. But we should eat something, before you leave." Although he does not tell Dietrich out loud, his gaze measuring the skinny German from head to toe speaks clearly of the American thinking that the younger man desperately needs any meal he can get.

"I will use the radio set here to contact the main convoy and report our successes, but also ask about any news regarding Lieutenant Baker and the minefield", Dietrich suggests and Griffith's eyes light up. "I will accompany you for that." The young German officer nods in acceptance and walks to the radio with the codebooks and singed documents tucked under his arm which he places on the table before him, while operating the German radio set. The American Lieutenant observes him keenly, when the lean Captain puts on the headset for speaking with their main convoy. "Green Falcon to Aerie", he repeats a few times, while waiting for a response. "This is Aerie", Jakob Silberblatt's voice finally responds. "Hans, are you alright? Over." In spite of his friend not being able to see him, Dietrich smiles at the worried tone. "Don't worry, Jakob. I'm fine, as are all of us. We found the hidden German base and took it over. We have five prisoners and one rescued ally here in addition to two storage rooms with valuable supplies. Over", the young Captain reports diligently to which the Jewish Lieutenant replies with obvious delight in his tone: "That's excellent news. I'll inform Captain Boggs. Over."

"I will leave Lieutenant Griffith and his unit here to guard the prisoners and the supplies, as we don't have the required capacity for transportation on the Jeeps. We need to send some trucks and guarding vehicles, once I have shown you the location and checked a safe route, avoiding minefields and other traps. Over", the German officer suggests. "I will inform Captain Boggs and General Atkins. This will not be a problem. Do you think that you will reach our camp today or tomorrow? Over", Jakob inquires. "We still need to eat something before leaving and but then it will be only two hours to reach the main road. Whether we can reach your camp will depend on how far you will get today. Over", Hans analyses the situation. "We made good progress along the road and came within four hours drive of reaching the oasis. The siege commander and a few soldiers should arrive later to visit and coordinate a joint operation, now that we bring new tanks and you cut the supply route. Over." Dietrich nods and starts his mental calculations.

"If we leave within an hour and nothing hinders our progress, we should be able to reach you today", the German finally confirms. "Tell the commander we rescued one of his soldiers, Private Thomas Anaru! Do we have any news regarding Lieutenant Baker and the minefield? Over." Next to the German Captain, Griffith tenses visibly. "They ran into a trap and were ambushed. Half the unit is dead, the others are wounded, including the Lieutenant. Your men reported finding the scene and should join us within the next two hours after finishing their investigation and recovering the bodies. Over", Silberblatt replies and his longtime friend thinks that he can detect a hint of a strange emotion, worry maybe, but it is hard to tell on the radio. "It's good that we have them back, at least half of them", Dietrich replies cautiously controlling his tone and expression before the explosive Lieutenant. "I hope to see you, Ari and Kiri for dinner. Over." "I'll inform the commander and the General of your report. The children miss you already. The sooner you come the better, Hans. Over and out", Silberblatt replies with a friendly tone and his friend can imagine the smile on his face quite well.

"What does 'at least half the unit' mean, Captain? Is Baker alright?", Griffith does not leave Dietrich much time for taking off the headset and switching off the radio. "Lieutenant Baker and his unit became the victims of a trap and an ambush, something I suspected in any location", the German officer replies sternly. The American Lieutenant starts a series of curses which the lean Captain interrupts with a strict and controlled tone: "Lieutenant Griffith. Your friend Lieutenant Baker is wounded, but alive. So are half of his men. The other half didn't make it. Lieutenant Carlos and Sergeant Moffit have investigated the location of the trap and recovered the bodies of our comrades." Griffith stares at him for a few seconds, before growling: "You're right. Sorry, Captain. We'll pay them Jerries back!" Dietrich sighs wearily. "You will most likely, Lieutenant. We should focus on our own men now though." Griffith nods grimly. "I'm right at your side, Captain."

The German officer picks up the documents again to carry them with him. As they reach the rooms where Pettigrew and Troy are working, Hans calls: "Bring outside what you have found until now! The Lieutenant's men will continue the diligent search after we have left. We need to finish lunch and leave within an hour to make it back to our convoy." When Tully emerges, the young Captain briefly has the impression that his belt pouches appear larger and fuller, close to bursting almost, while he carries several uniforms and clothes as well as holding out a stack of letters and a notebook. "Thought you'd wanna check these, Cap. Maybe relevant info, maybe something you wanna give back to the Jerries who are still alive", the American Private mutters. "Thank you, Pettigrew", the lean officer replies, while taking the document in his arms along with the ones confiscated before, wincing slightly at the pain in his shoulder.

"Got some stuff for you too, Captain", Troy adds, carrying several small books, diaries and notebooks most likely, and a whole packet of letters under his arm and some clothes and uniform parts in the other. "Considering how many shirts you've lost already, you should take some that fit you loosely", he recommends, holding up a German uniform shirt. Dietrich narrows his eyes with wounded pride. "It's not my fault that I got shot or captured by enemies", he growls in annoyance. "Nobody's accusing you, Captain. Just saying you have few shirts left intact and should have something to wear in reserve", Troy counters, trying to calm the German Captain who has misunderstood his intentions. "And after all that has happened you consider it safe to suggest wearing a German shirt instead of an American one to me of all people? Have you lost your mind completely, Troy?", Dietrich asks incredulously. "Yeah. I wouldn't wear a German shirt, if I were you, Captain", Griffith agrees with the former Afrikakorps Hauptmann. "Let's discuss this, while we eat lunch, Cap, Sarge", Tully suggests cautiously, ignoring the American Lieutenant whom he dislikes on principle for having been Winters' friend. This feeling appears to be quite mutual, as Griffith eyes the Private with an expression categorizing him between vile vermin and common cockroaches.

Without deeming the Rat Patrol's driver worthy of even a second glance, Griffith struts toward the entrance, addressing the Captain only: "Let me secure the way for you, Sir." Troy, Tully and Dietrich exchange brief glances before following the older officer. While the Private merely shifts his matchstick and applies a defiant expression, the Sergeant starts muttering swear words under his breath, in Greek just to stay safe of extra penal duty. Their German commander is the only one who does not show any openly readable emotion on his face, although they both think that they have been able to read some disapproval of Griffith's behaviour in his brown eyes before. When they emerge from the cave, Ahmed has separated two camels and the stubborn donkey that has distracted the German guards from the rest of the herd. "Looks like David, the second, won't join your family clan after all", Hans mutters into Troy's ear with dry sarcasm, as both look relieved when Griffith turns towards his own men and starts shouting commands to speed them up in their lunch preparations.

"Too bad... But look at the bright sight, Captain! Davey might be a pain in the butt, but he's nothing like old Brass Knuckles", Sam replies with a grim expression belying his humorous tone. Dietrich grimaces slightly and Pettigrew steps up to him to agree with a quiet whisper: "I wouldn't live with him as our CO for a single day." "And here I thought Hitchcock's the spoiled brat in our unit", Hans counters with a dry whisper that brings a grin to both their faces. "Maybe you're right and we're getting a bit spoiled with having a CO who shares our tent, our meals and our daily routine with us, as well as our pranks and humor", Troy agrees, patting the younger officer on the shoulder. "That's not exactly what I meant, Troy", Dietrich protests quietly. "I'm not sharing your pranks... not voluntarily ... not all of the time..." Struggling with the appropriate wording, he finally comes up with: "I'm not in your league of pranksters." "That's true. But we're tryin' to learn from you, Cap, and reach your league soon", Tully counters with a grin. Pinching his nose, Dietrich decides that the only way in which he can preserve at least a tiny thread of dignity before himself is to let the matter drop completely.

The three of them join Gottschlich, Turner and the injured Private Anaru who stirs in the pot above the campfire with a jovial smile, while the two Corporals prepare the other meal parts. Ahmed, the goat herder, has detected the German Captain by now and comes walking toward him with his donkey and two camels in tow. "*Faris alsahra, have you found what you have been looking for here?*", the young Bedouin inquires cautiously. Dietrich stops and turns to speak with him, while Troy and Tully continue to help finishing the preparations of their lunch and for their departure. "*Yes, Ahmed. You have helped us greatly and I am grateful to you.*" "*Will you really gift me these?*", the youngster asks, still barely able to believe in his luck. "*I have given you my word and I will surely keep it that you may choose three animals and so they are yours and your family's. I know that they mean great wealth for you*", the lean European argues. "*This is more than we could ever have afforded*", the boy replies with tears of joy in his eyes which he tries to blink away. The tall German crouches with one knee on the ground to get to eye level with the young Bedouin. "*You have earned this through being willing to risk your life to help us, Ahmed. You're a brave young man and you have my gratitude*", he tells the youngster earnestly.

"*Thank you*", Ahmed exclaims with a wide smile. "*You're the greatest warrior I've ever met, faris alsahra, and wise and fair like a sheikh.*" Dietrich smiles wryly at the intended compliment. "*Thank you, Ahmed. I can invite you to share lunch with us, before you return to your family.*" Ahmed again smiles widely. "*Allah praises those who are wise and generous. I'll tell everyone in town about you.*" The German officer tenses now. "*Please don't do that yet, as somebody might report it to the current commander of the fortress who is our enemy. You may share the story, as soon as we have taken over the fortress. And if anybody is willing to join our side to fight for your town's liberation, thay are very welcome.*" Ahmed nods eagerly. "*I know who helps the foreigners and who wants to fight against them. I will tell them, faris alsahra.*" "*Tell them to meet me tomorrow at the large camp outside of the town! They need to ask about 'Captain Hans Dietrich' which is my name among my people*", the German officer instructs him and the boy nods diligently, repeating the foreign name several times to remember it. "*I will bring many to you, faris alsahra, I promise it before Allah*", he vows proudly. "*You have my gratitude, Ahmed. If we are enough and the commander of the fortress is wise, we will not even have to fight at all*", the European Captain promises and wonders silently which deity is currently laughing at the irony that he is turning into a rebel leader among the Arabs.

"Hey, Captain. Come over and get your lunch!", Troy calls and Dietrich nods in reply. "Prepare something for our guest as well. Ahmed might even recruit some of the local townspeople who want to fight for their own liberation." The American grins widely. "That's the spirit I like. You're a really good rebel leader, charging on your Arab horse into battle and such. Jack's never managed anything even half as spectacular and he sure has never come up with any local beauties helping us." The German Captain blushes slightly at the last part, as he protests: "I'm not Hitchcock!" "No, you're the handsome officer and gentleman, Captain, who even had a princess asking to marry him. Hitch is already jealous", Troy counters with a wide grin. Hans winces at he last part, remembering the predicament the young Private finds himself in, as he stops himself from continuing with this useless argument, accepting his offered lunch plate from the Sergeant instead and taking a seat as far away from him as possible, next to the Maori Private Anaru. Ahmed joins him immediately after Tully has given him a plate of his own and starts digging in greedily.

After his first few bites, Hans feels the familiar sensation of paws pressing against his thigh, as Minki looks at him expectantly, before demanding some food with an insistent "meow". "Fritz wird tatsächlich eifersüchtig sein", the German mutters quietly to himself and the cat, as he offers it a piece of meat from his plate after getting most of the sauce off. Unlike Fritz who would simply have munched it down greedily, Minki sniffs at the food, before cautiously grabbing it with its teeth. "Verwöhnt bist du auch noch", the lean Captain comments with a wry smile, as he continues eating while observing the cat carefully chewing the meat. "What did you say, Captain?", Thomas Anaru asks curiously, watching the animal and the young officer with observant eyes. "I said that Fritz, our unit mascot, a small greedy dog, will be rather jealous of this competition and that the cat is a lot more picky and spoiled than he is." Anaru is unable to hide a grin at that. "You're a good man. Only a good man gives his own food to others who have less, even though he's hungry himself." "I'm not that hungry that I couldn't share a few pieces of meat", the German counters wryly. "Meow", Minki agrees and demands another piece, while the Private suppresses the urge to the officer that he looks like he could need the meat.

Ahmed takes his leave as soon as he has finished his plate with desert, completely enchanted by the bliss of enjoying canned fruits in sugary syrup for the first time in his life. Again he promises the Captain to recruit support and Dietrich warns him to be cautious and not give them away. Then, the German officer has to translate and explain his conversation with the young goat herder to the rest of the men, including Lieutenant Griffith who has come to inquire about the suspicous Arab with his animals who is leaving so urgently with two camels and a donkey in tow. As he feels the pressure of time himself, Hans Dietrich pushes his men to finish eating as quickly as possible so that they can leave and still stand a chance to reach their main convoy before darkness falls, making the trip much more hazardous so close to enemy territory and the siege, as any side might shoot at them, when noticing the headlights of their Jeeps. For the driving order, the German Captain lets Private Anaru sit in the front seat next to Gottschlich with Troy in the back, while he goes with Pettigrew as usual, placing Turner as his gunner behind him. Minki simply chooses her preferred Jeep by jumping in after the Captain, crawling onto his lap, where she is curling up with loud purring, as she rubs her head against the young officer's jacket. "Good to know who's in charge here", Tully comments dryly, hiding his smile behind shifting his matchstick, as Dietrich glares at him and growls: "Just concentrate on driving, Private!"

At his arm signal, both Jeeps start and drive off into the South. The German Captain constantly observes their surrounding vigilantly, but the cat in his lap effectively keeps him from even trying to stand up during the drive to get a better overview, whether anything indicating a minefield of other trap or ambush could be detected. Glancing to the side, Tully considers keeping the cat an actual smart option, if only to ensure that the young officer stops his strange habit of standing in driving vehicles.