"I need to inform Lieutenant Colonel McLean that we won't be able to participate in any training within the vicinity of the fort today", the German Captain argues with due diligence, when the American Sergeant wants to steer him outside. "You won't go anywhere without protection. I trust that bastard Warren even less far than I could throw him", Sam growls and Dietrich nods in agreement although it annoys him greatly. "I accept your company for providing my bodyguard, Troy. Moffit, stay here with the rest and make sure that none of you does anything stupid while we're gone!" "Aye, Captain", the British Sergeant confirms, before watching their young commanding officer leave with Troy. The rest of the Rats is still enthused by the outcome of the fight and quarrel. "Cap really won against that jackass Warren and we all got the day off", Hitch cheers. "That fellow's such a ratbag that we can really celebrate him losing", Kevin O'Donnell agrees. "I would never have thought that our Captain actually stands a chance though. I mean he's clever and honorable, but we all know that he's just skin and bone, while that brute easily has twice his weight and more muscles than Kevin and I put together", Daniel contributes to the discussion.
"When he is not holding back but going through with his attack strategy Captain Dietrich is quite a formidable fighter", Jack declares. "I saw how Herr Hauptmann fought such a hand to hand fight against Troy more than once during our enmity in the last year. He not only stood his ground, but even won once or twice which hasproven to me that he is as resilient as he is competent." "He still looked like the obvious loser with all his bruises and injuries", Daniel O'Donnell counters with concern. "It's good that he did or we wouldn't have earned enough to go for lunch now with the money we won", Hitch argues, patting Pettigrew on the shoulder. "That was a brilliant idea, Tully." "I trusted that Cap would win", the Private from Kentucky mutters quietly. "He won for all of us, but most of all for you and me, Gotty", Thomas Anaru states with a resolute tone and unusually grim expression. "I'm used to being looked down on by the white men, but I've never experienced anything like this. This Warren fellow is one of the worst kind."
Riku Gottschlich merely nods, before muttering in response: "I...I've known S..sergeant C..clarence before and C..captain W..warren s..sent me here to N..north A..africa... to die a..among the c..commandos." The young man takes a deep calming breath, while the Maori Private gently squeezes his shoulder with sympathy. "Kia kaha, my friend! Stay calm, Riku." Gotty takes a deep calming breath, before he continues. "If C..Captain D..Dietrich wouldn't have helped me, I..I don't know w..where General A..Atkins would have sent me. I... I'm f..forever grateful to him", Riku adds, recovering from his stuttering. "You repaid him well I'd say through teaching him the technique which gained him his victory", Jack comments coolly. "I c..can n..never repay him for w..what he's done, b..but I honestly try", the young Corporal vows earnestly. "Cap won't hold it against you. He's the noble type. Lisa calls him a chivalrous knight all the time", Hitch declares with a grin which falters, when he remembers his fiancé and her current attitude. "I only know that you suffered from discrimination in the U.S. army, Gottschlich. Would you tell us what happened back then between Sergeant Clarence, Captain Warren and you?", Jack suggests to distract them all. With some reluctance, Gotty starts to speak and tell them the tale he has told Dietrich, when he has originally won the German Captain's compassion and support, creating the connection to Captain Warren and his unit where he has served formerly.
Hans and Sam meanwhile approach McLean's hidden office. When they move the fake shelf to the side, they can make out that Fagin is already reporting what has happened. "Sherlock", the Scottish spymaster drawls. "I just listen to your wild adventures. I'm more than grateful if you could offer a recount of your own, as this sounds far too outlandish to be true. Gladiatorial fights in the courtyard, mysterious successes of obviously losing parties through sly tricks, rounds of betting, Generals intervening between their Captains and their units. I would suspect dear Fagin here of drinking or spinning tall tales, if I wouldn't know that he lacks the creativity for those." Wilbur Orwell glares at the Scotsman, while Merlin appears unperturbed. "I came to inform you that my unit and I were explicitly ordered to leave the fort for the rest of the day and even taken off duty to go for lunch and stay out of Captain Warren's way", Dietrich replies sternly. "I merely came to inform you about this, Merlin." The Scottish spymaster smiles with amusement. "After your report I'll let you leave, though I might have a suggestion for you." "Hopefully one that doesn't ruin our afternoon", Sam grumbles with annoyance, crossing his arms, as he glares at the annoying spymaster. How he hates those arrogant Brits!
Hans provides a concise summary of all that has happened since the morning leading to a gradual escalation. Troy is doubly angry, when he hears about Warren's accusations of plotting his murder against his innocent friend. "I would've beaten that jerk to pulp, if he'd said something like that about me", the American Sergeant growls. "What good would that have done?", the German Captain counters dryly. "Like this he and his unit moveout and we're cleared of all charges except for you, as you were rightly convicted for threatening an officer's life." "I'm impressed, Sherlock. You have proven to me better than any statement could have that you can act rationally and focus on the relevant task independent of personal attacks against you, although one might call your methods unorthodox. You're a very good choice for the position I want you trained for. Thus, my suggestion is to use your being cast out of the fort for training you and your Rats with tailing people in a city environment as well as how to detect and shake a tail." Sam and Hans exchange a gaze, before nodding in agreement. "That is a reasonable offer." "Fagin will train you in the appropriate manner after you have eaten your lunch. You can chat with your street boy from yesterday. He should be loyal by now, given how you treat him", McLean instructs. Dietrich scowls, but nods and mutters his agreement, before the Scottish spymaster takes something out of a drawer and holds it out to him.
Hans observes the small object warily until he recognizes a pen. With a puzzled expression he meets McLean's eyes. "I must admit that I bet against you with General Atkins. He told me that you would act swiftly and openly, I bet that you would take your time and be more discrete. Apparently he knows you far better than I do yet. He insisted that I give my honor debt to you, Captain, if I lose. You earned this fairly." "A pen?", Hans asks incredulously. "Open it!", Merlin insists and the German Captain appears even more puzzled, when he takes off the cap, then screws the actual writing part off to reveal a hidden chamber behind the ink resort. There is a small piece of paper, folded several times. "Your instructions for obtaining your actual reward. You may keep the pen as well though, as it might serve you well one day for hiding some crucial information and smuggling it in or out of a place", Merlin declares coolly. "I suppose we still have to earn this reward", Hans mutters sarcastically, as he unfolds the piece of paper and stares at it with disbelief. Troy glances at it from his side, grumbling with annoyance: "I hate European snobs and I hate spies even more."
McLean merely laughs heartily. "I have no idea what you're complaining about, Sergeant Troy. Enjoy the challenge and your reward. I suggest that you put all your unit members' talents to good use, Sherlock." "If you bet against me, why prepare all this?", Hans asks with curiosity and wariness. "Being prepared for every possible outcome is part of my job, Captain. You will still have to learn this", the Scotsman replies, observing the young German officer whom fate has put in his hands to mold into an excellent spy. Dietrich has talent, but his behavior is already promising to provide countless sources for worry, as the Scottish spymaster starts to realize that he will never get his selfless chivalrous streak out of the young Captain which will be the most problematic feat for a spy. He will never be ruthless and coldly calculating beyond a certain degree, simply because he actively refuses to accept the mentality in spite of almost having paid with his life for such an attitude. The young German will serve as a commando officer, not a spy after all. His faults are still acceptable qualities and proving to be a lot more successful for gaining him unexpected support and allies than McLean would have thought possible.
Released by the Scottish spymaster, Dietrich and Troy join their team again. "We got an afternoon program to keep us entertained. Apparently the Allied officers know far better that they cannot trust the likes of us not to cause trouble and need to keep us occupied. Since it is my gift for resolving the matter with Captain Warren in a faster and more unorthodox way than even Merlin would have expected, I'm willing to share whatever we gain, since I was recommended to apply all your skills and expertise", the German Captain declares with due formality, while Troy scowls. "That insolent British brat. I don't like him." "We don't have to like him. He's our superior officer and trainer for spywork", Hans counters vehemently. "Let's shake it, before this nosy thief of his shows up, when we're not even finished with lunch", Sam declares with a scowl directed at the office building they have just left.
"Let's find a place for lunch and then take a look at the challenge he wants to provide for us", Hans Dietrich suggests calmly, knowing that lunch is the only prospect possibly able to calm the already angry and unnerved Sam Troy. "Now you're talking, Captain. We might finally make a normal person out of you yet, keeping regular mealtimes and such stuff", the American Sergeant comments with a grin upon seeing the young officer scowl. "Don't annoy Cap, Sarge!", Hitch unexpectedly rises in his defence, shocking both Troy and Dietrich. "Yes. We should carry him on our shoulders or something like that, as a hero deserves", Thomas Anaru suggests and the German officer looks actually embarrassed now, as he mutters: "That is absolutely not necessary." "We need you as our pathfinder anyways, Captain, since none of us has as much experience in Tobruk as you have", Jack Moffit comments. "Yeah. Where's this kid of yours?", Sam inquires. "Ahmed should report to me around noon. So he is likely in the area", Hans replies a bit more calmly. "He might also be able to show us a nice place for lunch." "I like this more and more. Let's shake it!", Troy declares with a grin.
Sighing a bit wearily, the tall Captain turns to the fort's gate and salutes to the British soldiers who let him pass without questions about his plans. One of them asks however, when he is almost past him: "What was your fight with Captain Warren about, Sir?" Narrowing his eyes, Dietrich replies with a proud tone: "Defending the safety and honor of my men and my own." "We couldn't see it too closely, but you won, didn't you, Sir?", the other soldier asks curiously. Moffit notes that their accents are clearly originating from the London area. "Yes. I did. Why do you ask?", the young Captain inquires more cautiously, as he tries to find out what they want from him. "Blimey. That Yankee Captain used to give us some penal duty every time he passed by our post, 'cause he didn't like our accents or the way we looked or even roundly slated us for having too much sand on our uniforms after standin' 'ere all day", the freckled young Brit replies with a grin. "True. We weren't ever high an' mighty 'nough for his Lordship", his comrade comments with a conspiratorial tone and a heavy accent Dietrich is not the only one struggling to understand. "You're our hero for taking him down from his high horse", his comrade adds. "I told you you should have defected to his Majesty's Royal Army, Captain", Jack whispers to his commanding officer with dry irony in his tone. Dietrich briefly snorts, before replying just as dryly: "Then I would likely have to fend the same fights against British officers now, Moffit." "I'm sure you'd do so formidably. The Maori regiment and officers like you and the same applies for the Indian and Sikh fellows who congratulated you before", the former Cambridge scholar assesses with a smile. "You ever need somethin', you can call on us, Capt'n. We got gate duty almost every day", the first soldier offers in a friendly tone and Tully's eyes lighten up with excitement at the prospect. Sarge has not been half as good at gaining them new contacts among the other soldiers, rather sticking closely to his own men.
Dietrich appears fairly surprised by the offer and the dynamics between the Allied troops. Never before have enlisted men from other units treated him with so much sympathy. Never before has he acted that openly in opposition of his fellow officers either, Hans reflects bitterly. If Warren would not have been as stubborn and driven by prejudices he would have handled the whole matter in a much more discrete manner, as he usually has with German officers who would have considered such a behaviour utterly scandalous and barbaric. At least his father will never hear about it to despise his son for having sunk to such a level. "It's Private Harvey and Fordell, Sir", the young Brit adds, when no reaction from the German Captain is forthcoming. Dietrich focuses back on the man and nods politely. "Thank you, Privates, for your offer. I'm grateful for any help, when we truly need it." Ahmed, who has lurked in the background and observed them, dares to approach them now, looking curious, as he greets the German: "As-Salam aleikum, Hauptmann." "Wa'aleikum s'salam, Ahmed", Hans replies, smiling at the boy, as he bids him closer. Then he addresses the British guards again. "This boy is my informant and also works for Lieutenant Colonel McLean. When he asks about 'Hauptmann', he means me, as this was my former rank title in the German army." Both nod, looking very astonished. "But you're a Capt'n now?", the Brit inquires. "Hauptmann and Captain are the same rank title, only in different languages", Jack Moffit explains. "Our dear Captain is the expert for lingual specialties, speaking five languages fluently."
Dietrich has left the discussion with the British soldiers to Moffit and focuses on Ahmed and his report. The street boy from Tobruk stands close to the German Captain who crouches before him and whispers: "*The camel trader's assistant said that they sold a few mules and camels to some Westerners and made a very good price, because the fools didn't know how to negotiate prices. Farooq said they can live for a month without working.*" "*Did he tell you anything whether they were soldiers or private adventurers?*", Hans inquires with a scowl. Ahmed shakes his head in the negative. "*I'm sorry, Hauptmann. I don't know. But I try to find it out for you.*" The German Captain nods. "*It is really important that you retrieve as much information as you possibly can, Ahmed. You have done a great job by finding this out. You earned your lunch for today.*" As he wants to turn toward the Rats, he is a bit startled to feel someone's hand on his shoulder and find Pettigrew standing next to him, holding out a can with fish and vegetables. "Are you secretly learning Arabic, Private?", Hans inquires dryly, as he accepts the tin. Tully shakes his head, but mutters: "No. But you told Merlin what you need the iron rations for. The kid reported, now he gets his payment." Dietrich smiles, as he nods at his soldier: "Thank you, Pettigrew. You're a highly underestimated man." The Kentuckian merely shrugs and shifts his matchstick, unsure how to respond to the unexpected praise.
Then the lean Captain turns back to Ahmed who has observed the interaction with slight apprehension. "*Thank you, Ahmed. You've earned this. Let me know, when you find out more. Remember these two soldiers! They know you now and will inform me, when you come looking for me and not harm you.*" The Arabic street boy smiles and nods, looking intently at the British Privates to study their faces. Then, Dietrich finally hands him the tin with fish and also tells him what is inside. Ahmed looks as if he would have been given a valuable gift, as he repeats with awe: "*Fish and vegetables. I haven't eaten that since my mother died. Thank you, Hans. I'm sorry, I mean Hauptmann.*" The German Captain smiles gently at the slip-up. "*It's fine, if you don't use my name regularly. You deserve this reward.*" The boy briefly looks as if he would like to repeat his gesture from the previous day and hug the European officer, but does not dare to do that after all. "*Allah protect you, Hauptmann. I will return when I know more.*", he promises instead "*Report tomorrow, unless you find out who exactly the people are. Then you should come immediately and you can find me again here in the evening*", Dietrich tells him sternly, as he stands up again. On second thought he asks: "*Ahmed, do you know any good and reliable place where we can eat lunch?*" The Arab nods eagerly. "*Yes. I know a great place near the harbor. I can show you, Hauptmann.*" "*Lead the way, but wait a few steps away until I follow with my men*", Hans orders.
When the Arabic street boy darts off with his prize, but stops a few steps away to wait for the Captain like an eager dog expecting his master to follow, the two English Privates, who have chatted with Moffit for a while and then observed the interaction, declare: "We'll lead the lad to you, if he says 'Hauptmann'." "Blimey. Never heard anyone speak Arabic like that... I mean any European, Capt'n." Dietrich exchanges an amused look with Moffit who merely shrugs. "Thank you, gentlemen. Your support is highly appreciated", Hans assures them formally, before turning to his men: "I suppose we should start following Ahmed. He will lead us to our lunch location, gentlemen." "The kid's more valuable than I thought. Let's shake it!", Troy declares with a grin. "Do you think that he is reliable for showing us a good location for eating?", Moffit voices his doubts quietly. "He knows the word passed on the street. He wouldn't show us a bad or dangerous location, as we are his best and most reliable source of food at the moment", Dietrich argues. "Touche", Jack replies. "Let's follow your local guide then. I have to admit that I could still learn some things from you which might even have helped and improved my research." "Don't exaggerate, Moffit!", Hans mutters dryly. "That's the Yankees' field of expertise." "When do we ever exaggerate?", Sam wants to know. "Your brother for example whenever he opens his mouth. And need I remind you how lucky we were not to be convicted for plotting Captain Warren's murder, Troy?", Dietrich inquires sarcastically. Muttering some curses or protests under his breath, the American Sergeant at least does not contradict this openly.
Ahmed leads the soldiers through the streets of Tobruk staying a few steps ahead until they reach the busy Soukh. From then onwards he walks at Dietrich's side to not lose sight in the crowd. The Arabic boy all the while clutches the tin with fish and vegetables to his chest like a treasure. When they finally reach the harbor, they all notice the smell changing from the collection of spices and aromas at the bazaar via the stomped dirt of men and beasts alike to the stink of rotting algae and fish mixed with the salty breeze of the sea. Ahmed finally stops in front of a house which is surrounded by the smell of food already. "*They have good food here, people say. I also know it myself. I often come here and beg for leftovers which I sometimes get, not the fish, but some couscous or pilaf. The proprietor is a friendly man*", Ahmed explains cautiously. "*Thank you Ahmed. I would buy you a meal here and you can keep your tin*", Hans offers, but the boy shakes his head. "*I must not go inside and sit with honored guests. But if you tell him that I brought you here, he might give me food more often.*" Dietrich nods curtly. "*I will do so. May Allah protect you, Ahmed.*" "*May the Almighty also protect you and lead you along your ways, Hauptmann*", the street boy replies with a deep bow.
Jack Moffit joins their Captain for price negotiations, observing the German first praise the location he has been recommended through his faithful guide Ahmed, the good reputation and the delicious smell, before declaring how the Allied troops have freed Tobruk from the Germans and Italians, how they will protect the city and thus the innkeeper and that they personally have lived up to that by clearing a minefield outside the city. The Arabic landlord is more than a bit enthused that foreigners of the new army have found their way here and promises the Europeans that they will receive a formidable example of Libyan hospitality. They arrange that for the money the lean officer pays them half in advance they will receive a full meal consisting of several courses, tea, coffee and six bottles of date liquor on the house, as he has no beer or other Western drinks available, since his usual clientele does not include foreigners. Jack asks about some details of the type of cuisine they serve and is informed that most is based on fresh seafood. Together with the lean Captain he returns to the table with their men and lets Dietrich explain the arrangement.
"Wow", Hitch mutters, sounding impressed, as he takes off his red kepi and takes a look around. Although the place is not lavish and decorated with gold or precious stones, it is beautifully maintained with carved geometrical ornaments in the stones which have been painted with intense colors some of which have lost their intensity though. "I usually just get one course and some watery kinda beer, but this sounds impressive, Cap", he mutters, taking his chewing gum out of his mouth and wrapping it in a piece of paper, as he would feel bad about littering the place. Tully nods and shifts his matchstick to comment: "I knew you'd make the most of it, Cap." Dietrich briefly nods, before taking a seat on a pillow next to Troy, placing him between him and Pettigrew, while Jack sits between Hitch and Troy. Thomas Anaru and Riku Gottschlich who sit close to the German observe the young officer closely, while the Maori mainly chats with him, since Riku and Tully are more introverted. The other table is a lot more loud, as Hitch and the O'Donnell brothers keep asking questions of Moffit who is so caught up in providing answers that he does not notice Troy turning away to chat with the young Captain as well.
The American Sergeant is not happy at the prospect that unsweetened tea is the only thing they have to drink, until the first bottle of date liquor arrives at their table after the fish soup to accompany the first course of spicy steamed aubergines served with couscous. Jack indulges in providing the original names of the food and their history, while hardly anybody but Hans is interested in this information. The German and the Brit inspire Gottschlich, Anaru and the O'Donnells to share the tea with them, while the Yankees stay with the date liquor as their main drink. Thomas Anaru is particularly curious about the foreign country and its people who have very different traditions from the Maori and the Brits and thus are fascinating for him. Until now he has not had the chance of having two experts telling him anything more detailed. While the German Captain calmly provides explanations for the round of men close to him and Jack similarly lectures his audience, they all enjoy their food. The main course of steamed fish with Pilaf rice is to everybody's liking and by the time they reach the dessert even Troy feels quite full. "'There's a second stomach for dessert' goes the saying in Bavaria and Austria which Jakob probably approves of", Hans Dietrich tells them with an amused smile. "That's a nice saying. I definitely have a second stomach for dessert", Sam agrees with a grin. "Especially since I had to bear that tea until now." "Don't exaggerate, Troy. You haven't even sipped half of your cup, but emptied almost a full bottle of date liquor on your own", Hans counters sarcastically. "It's sweet and not particularly strong", Troy protests, emptying the cup with date liquor in a single gulp.
The German Captain merely sighs and shakes his head. Instead of protesting, he takes the folded sheet of paper from McLean's pen out of his shirt pocket. Pettigrew, Anaru and Gottschlich observe him curiously. "What's this?", the Maori soldier asks curiously. "It is part of a gift from Merlin. It's supposed to contain our instructions for gaining our reward. However, I haven't studied it in detail yet", Hans replies, before raising his eyebrows as he looks at a page filled with Gibberish. "What the heck?", Troy grumbles. "Is that British bastard pulling our legs?" "No", Dietrich counters. "That's not his type of humor. I think this is something else and now I have the time to test my theory." He takes another folded sheet of paper from his pocket which contains his schedules and training plans on one side, but is empty on the other side. Then, the German diligently writes down the whole alphabet in capital letters twice, taking care that each letter has the same width on the paper, before taking his pen and marking the width of a single letter with his finger. By now all the men around the table observe him curiously, until Sam cannot hold back the question any longer: "What the heck are you doing, Captain?" "Trying to decipher the Caesar code", Hans explains calmly. "This is one of the oldest military ciphers in history, already applied by Julius Caesar."
"He was one of the greatest and most successful Generals of the Ancient Roman Republic and basically of all times, given that is still famous two thousand years later. Gaius Iulius Caesar won battles and conquered half of Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East, building on the existing territories of the Roman Republic and enlarging them greatly. By the time he was murdered for trying to abolish the Roman Republic in order to establish himself as Emperor, the Roman Republic was as large as never before in history. His successor Augustus would become the first emperor of the Roman Empire", Jack Moffit feels entitled to explain, seeing the puzzled expressions of some. Dietrich lets him finish, before continuing: "As you have just heard, this idea of encryption is two thousand years old and still valid, because it is simple and works against the uneducated efficiently. However it is also easy to beat through guessing which is what I'm just doing. I try out a fixed shift of letters which I have marked on my pen and check whether I receive understandable content." "Wow", Hitch drawls, sounding truly impressed. "You learned that in a German officer's school?", Sam asks without sounding derisive. "My father insisted that I should study military history already during my school times. This was part of studying the history of the Ancient Roman military and I really enjoyed learning this as a boy. I sometimes exchanged messages with Jakob, Sara and Liesel which were unreadable for my teachers and fellow students alike, but easy to decrypt for my friends and me", the young officer explains. "I'm pretty impressed. That's smart", Sam comments. "And it makes you and Silberblatt ideal candidates for training in encryption and decryption", Jack Moffit agrees. "We never had this in mind as teenagers, but you're right of course."
Dietrich has to try twenty different shifts, even allowing all of the Rats to give it a try with one or two of them, before he arrives at readable words. Now they can see why his method of having every letter twice is efficient, as he can simulate the shift beyond the Z in this manner efficiently without having to change his strategy. "We can really learn a lot from you, Captain", Danny mutters, sounding impressed and curious. "We could train this and also write small written messages for each other using the shift." "That is a good idea", Dietrich agrees. "This cipher is simple enough that I want all of you familiar with it, as it will allow us to easily and efficiently leave messages which are unreadable for anybody else at first glance. When operating behind enemy lines this is invaluable." Troy grins, as he declares: "If only we'd known that before... I'm really glad to have you with us, Captain Fox Kit." "We are utterly grateful for your advice, Captain", Jack Moffit assures him. "I learned the Caesar code as well in college, but I had no friends to write any messages to and it simply didn't occur to me to try and teach the others this method." "You're a damned snob, Moffit", Troy scolds him angrily. "You thought we're too dumb for this? We're not illiterate barbarians, you know?" The British scholar looks chagrined, as he mutters: "I'm sorry. I apologize to you, Troy. And to you too, Tully, Hitch." "It's okay, Doc", Mark replies with a grin. "We can still be friends, though we like Cap more."
Hans looks slightly incredulously at the statement, muttering: "I'm not your friend, Private Hitchcock, but your commanding officer. I teach you all, because it is important for our whole unit and protecting our missions, but also because I consider none of you too unintelligent to be able to grasp such a simple concept. My foremost duty is to protect my men, you gentlemen." "We've already seen you do that today, Captain", Troy agrees. "If only you'd see that we're more than willing to take you in as a friend, not just me and Jack, but the rest of the kids as well." "The kids, as you call them, are all grown men and most of them are of my own age, Sergeant", Dietrich protests, looking a bit unnerved by the argument. "I hope I don't have to remind you that it is a principle of mine that I don't befriend enlisted men, not because I don't consider you worthy of such a friendship - this attitude applies to none of you, gentlemen - but because I have the obligation to treat you all fairly and in a manner which is not biased through personal emotions." Tully exchanges a glance with Anaru and Gottschlich, while Daniel O'Donnell is the first to reply: "We understand your attitude, Captain, and don't take it personally. If we weren't in the military anymore, we would be friends, is basically what you're saying." The German Captain sighs, but nods. "Once this war is over and no obligations bind us to certain rules, that is what I'm willing to accept." "Come on, Dietrich. That could be a while. And you expect to die before that", Sam argues. "Troy, you have already forced me into this. Leave it be!", Dietrich snaps at him. "Leave him in peace, Troy!", Moffit tells the American Sergeant.
"So what does the message say?", Thomas asks, trying to get the focus back on their task. Hans smiles gratefully, nodding to the Maori Private. "Dear Sherlock", he reads the message, as he transcribes it quickly. "I congratulate you on handling your challenge. Now I want to provide you with another one to test your skills along with your unit." "I hate this guy", Troy grumbles. "Can't he just let you get some credit instead of constantly testing you?" "At least he's not challenging me to a fist fight", the German Captain replies dryly. "Although this sounds interesting as well. 'Where long since camels and caravans came to rest, you shall find the next part of your test.' A caravanserai?" Moffit nods in agreement. "That would have been my thoughts as well, Captain. They are usually in the outskirts, close to the land part, not the sea." "I have never seen one inside or outside of the city", Dietrich counters with a scowl. "We could ask the landlord", Jack suggests and waves the Arab over. "*We are looking for a caravanserai building. Do you know any, good man?*" The Arab is astounded. "*The main caravanserai was close to the fortress where the foreign soldiers are now. But it was almost destroyed by the fights.*" "*Where are the ruins?*", Jack wants to know. Although he is a bit baffled by their interest in the useless building, the Arab provides them with a detailed description. "*But there are much more beautiful sites to visit here in Tobruk*", he tries to convince them to little avail. "*Thank you. We don't go there for its beauty*", Hans assures him. "*Unlike your excellent food which is worth coming to visit again.*" The proprietor smiles widely. "*You're very good customers, not like many other soldiers who were often rude and drank too much. You're always welcome here, effendi.*" Dietrich nods magnanimously. "*Thank you. We might come visiting again. Would you serve the dessert now? My Sergeant over there is particularly entranced by the local sweets.*" Jack grins, when the young Captain points at Troy during his explanation. The Arab observes him briefly, then nods and promises: "*We will be able to show him something magnificent.*"
"What did you tell him about me?", Sam wants to know. "That you like Arabic sweets. He promised something magnificent for you, Sergeant", Dietrich replies with a smirk. "Now that's a promise I like. We can come here more often. Even if they have no beer. The date liquor is good as well", Troy replies with a grin. "I told him that we consider coming back. He still thinks that we are well-behaved for foreign soldiers. Please keep up this appearance, while we're here!", Hans advises dryly. The Arab keeps the Rats from commenting, as he reappears followed by two young men serving plates with different baked pastry drenched in syrup, honey and rosewater. For Troy, he carries a separate plate with a wide selection of small pastry, bowing as he hands it to the Sergeant. "How do you say 'thank you'?", Sam mutters to Dietrich who replies: "Shukran." "Shukran", Troy repeats and smiles at the man. This has the potential of becoming his favourite place in Tobruk. "Shukran jazeelan", Hans tells the man, also bowing politely. "*Thank you very much. He will be very happy with this.*" The Arabic proprietor bows politely. "*I hope he will enjoy them.*"
Troy indeed enjoys his dessert and savours every last bit, licking his fingers even. "Ma would kill me. But this is the best sweet stuff I've ever eaten", he admits with a happy smile. When Dietrich translates the compliment for the landlord, the Arab smiles widely. "*My second wife made them herself. She is the best baker for sweets, my first wife prepared the fish dishes.*" "*Please assure them both that we truly relished their excellent dishes*", Dietrich replies politely. "*This is one of the best meals we have ever eaten here in Libya in more than a year*", Jack Moffit adds with a bow. "*You honor me*", the man replies with another bow. "*I would gladly host you and your men again.*" The German Captain wants to pay him the rest of Pettigrew's money earned through the bets on his fight but the man refuses to take more than half of this, as they have originally arranged. "*You broke nothing, behaved like honorable guests not barbarians and even complimented out food. I only charge more of the foreign soldiers, because they often destroyed things before, when they were drunk. I will happily welcome you again the next time. What is your name?*" Dietrich hesitates for a second, then introduces himself with his actual name. "*Hans Dietrich. I am a Captain, an officer of the American army. Jack Moffit and Sam Troy are my next in command.*" Both Sergeants bow, when their names are mentioned. "*You're all welcome to return*", the landlord assures them.
"I wonder where that sneaky thief Fagin is", Troy grumbles to Dietrich as they leave the location. "We couldn't tell him where to find us, but he didn't ask either", Hans mutters with a scowl. "Maybe that's actually part of our training, he is tailing us and we're supposed to detect him", the German Captain muses. "That sounds actually like Merlin", Jack agrees. "Keep your eyes open! That snake Fagin might follow us", Troy orders the Rats who nod and immediately start looking around. None of them detects any secret observer, even though Dietrich, Troy and Moffit cannot shake the feeling that they are watched. "I only hope that it's Orwell and not Abwehr observing us", the young officer mutters with worry in his tone. "We keep our eyes and ears open", Sam promises with a scowl. They all stay true to that concept, as they make their way through the streets of Tobruk, led by Dietrich who knows the city best of them all. Showing his military passport and stating that they are on a mission for Lieutenant Colonel McLean suffices to convince the guards at the city gates to let them through. The ruins of the caravanserai are just that, ruins covered in soot and sand which clearly show that they have fallen victim to frequent bombings. The American Sergeant suspiciously observes the surroundings which provide little cover for anyone following them.
"Captain, footprints", Anaru shouts, lifting his hand to stop the others. Kevin and Danny along with Tully approach him. "A single man", the older Australian assesses. "Army boots", Tully adds, shifting his matchstick in a suspicious expression. "How fresh?", Hans asks. Jack Moffit crouches next to the O'Donnell brothers, touching the sand inside one footprint. "From today. A few hours at best. No dew has collected over night and no wind has removed the prints", the British scholar assesses, showing the young Captain what he means. Dietrich nods in approval. "That could have been McLean's agent preparing the site for us. Keep your eyes open! I wouldn't put it beyond him to lay traps to test us." All Rats agree and proceed cautiously.
"Hey, Cap, Doc. Sand looks strange", Tully calls them after a minute of checking the path toward the caravanserai. Dietrich crouches and squints, as he mutters: "Anaru, Hitchcock. Do you see the small metal parts? That looks like a mine." "Shit. You're right, Cap", Mark swears, as he looks where the German Captain is pointing. "Should we dig it out?", Troy asks with a frown. "We have no metal detectors and special equipment, but if you can defuse this mine it would be a good idea. I'm not sure whether it's part of our challenge or just a forgotten defence mechanism from the siege", Hans replies. "We know what we're doing after hours of digging those damned mines out of the ground", Troy grumbles. "Tully, help me with this one!" "Keep your eyes open. Usually not just a single mine is used for defense. It could be though that this is one of a few which haven't been triggered!", Hans orders, as he cautiously makes a circle around the active mine. Anaru and Dietrich find two more mines left along the path to the caravanserai which their comrades trained in disarming them take care of.
After half an hour they finally arrive at the destroyed gates of the main building of the caravanserai. Hans takes out an electric torch from one of his belt pouches, as do Tully, Jack and Daniel, while the rest keeps their hands free. Troy and Kevin O'Donnell take care of removing the door, when Anaru exclaims: "Trip wire!" Dietrich and Pettigrew join him quickly in the former stable area. "That's new", Tully speaks out what Hans thinks as well, before the German suggests: "Something is worth guarding around here. I can hold the wire to keep the tension, while you cut it, Private." The Kentuckian shifts his matchstick and nods, as he takes a foldable multitool from a belt pouch before he swiftly cuts the wire. "Well done, both of you", Dietrich commends them. "You two, check out the stables and look for what has been protected here. I join the others in the main building."
Troy, Gottschlich and the O'Donnells have removed the shattered, weathered gates, while Hitchcock and Moffit shine their lights inside. "There was a tripwire in the stable. I suspect that further traps have been set here. Pettigrew and I think that it was fresh and thus a gift from our friends Merlin and Fagin." He pronounces the word 'friends' like an insult, as he sneers. Cautiously with all three torches lighting the ground, walls and ceiling, while they carefully check all directions, the main group of the Rats moves forward. "There's something written on the wall", Hitch points out. "But it's Gibberish. More code breaking for you, Cap." "Actually, it's not Gibberish, but Gaelic", Moffit informs them. "I'm not as fluent with that as with ancient Egyptian, but it's some sort of directions." "Your further path will need you to walk the air, the water and the earth where there is now no ground", Daniel O'Donnell reads, taking them all by surprise. "Our father was an Irish patriot. He insisted that we learned the old tongue of Eirie", the Australian explains sheepishly. "It appears that we have more hidden language skills than we thought", Hans assesses with a smile. "Your insatiable thirst for knowledge should be quenched, Doctor." "Would you like to instruct me some more, Private? I merely learned Gaelic for two semesters in college during my anthropology studies", Moffit addresses the young Irish-stemming soldier. "Sure, Doc", Danny agrees. "Dad will be so proud of us, when we write to him that we teach an Englishman our Irish tongue", Kevin comments with a grin.
"Although I appreciate your interest in furthering your knowledge I would like to point out that we still need to solve this riddle to be able to continue", Dietrich reminds them. "This Merlin guy is getting on my nerves", Troy complains with annoyance. "How do you walk the air?" "I can only think of a circus acrobat balancing on a tightrope", Hans suggests. "That sounds plausible enough. Now we only need to find the rope", Jack agrees. "Then we also know, where to continue." "Captain", Thomas Anaru calls from the door. "We found this." The Maori Private hands the German Captain a small leather pouch. "It was hidden in the stables under some rubble." Hans cautiously feels something hard, round and flat inside. When he shakes the thing onto Moffit's outstretched hand, they notice a glass object. "What the heck?", Troy mutters staring at it suspiciously. "A lens", Moffit replies. "It's a convex lens, meant to focus light", Dietrich assesses. "You're the science fan. I trust you to see that without even picking it up", Troy grumbles, when the German does just that and tries to look through it. "It's not useful as a magnifying glass. Whatever this is supposed to focus the light on has to be further away." "We trust in the observation officer's observation", Jack comments dryly. While waiting patiently, Anaru listens curiously how their lean commander analyzes the lens, before addressing him: "And you should come outside to take a look at something strange." "Troy, Moffit, Privates O'Donnell. You check out that we didn't miss anything here. The rest comes with me", Hans orders, as he puts the lens back into the pouch and safely stows it in his shirt's chest pocket. Hitch and Gotty follow Dietrich and Anaru outside, where the Maori leads them behind the stable ruins. There a rope is tied from the first floor of a crumbling tower to the roof of another building.
"Walking the air", the German Captain states with a content expression. "Are any of you competent at balancing on a tight rope?" Thomas Anaru stares at the young officer, as if he would have lost his mind. "My uncle used to make me balance on a rope as training for karate", Gotty replies shyly. "I could try it." Dietrich nods in agreement. "Please do so, Corporal. Have you found any way to gain access, Private Anaru?" "Tully and I checked the tower, but the stairs are really unstable", the Maori soldier replies. "Whoever has fixed this up there must have gained access as well", Hans argues. "We just need to find out where and how." "With a rope and something to tie it to, I could also climb the wall outside, Captain", Riku offers. "I doubt any of us brought a rope along", Dietrich replies with a worried scowl. "But you could still climb on top of the others with the strongest standing atthe bottom." "We need Sarge for this and Danny", Hitch suggests. "We definitely do, Hitchcock", Dietrich agrees. "Do you find anything connected with water around here? I could only think of the well. Have you found one, Private Anaru?" The Maori soldier shrugs and points at a hole in the ground surrounded by a few stone. "I think this could be the well." "Let's have a look down there!", Hans suggests and Hitch offers: "I'm willing to climb down. I've got some experience with this." "I know", the German Captain groans, before his expression turns into a frown: "Have you told Merlin about that incident?" "Of course", Hitch replies. "Did you tell him about your karate training or acrobatic skills, Corporal?", Hans continues to ask. Gottschlich looks unsure, but finally nods. "He asked me about my background and affinity toward Japan in great length, Captain. I think I have mentioned this to assure him that I mean no harm, neither did my uncle." "What are you thinking, Captain Sherlock?", Thomas Anaru asks curiously. "That this is specifically designed for us", Dietrich explains. "It tests skills that McLean knows that we possess already. He is really a very devious and clever man."
The rest of their men join them by now. While Troy looks frustrated, Moffit scowls, as he observes the well where the others are waiting for them "Nothing else could be found inside", he reports. "Help!", they hear a shout from behind the wall. All of them reach for their weapons, as Dietrich shouts his orders: "Troy, cover the left flank with Gottschlich and the O'Donnells. Hitchcock, Anaru, watch whether this is an ambush and warn us immediately. The rest of you come with me through the main gate!" All Rats comply immediately and a minute later, the two groups meet again outside where Tully Pettigrew has sunk into the sand up to his waist. "You're going swimming? I thought you didn't like that at all", Troy inquires with irony for which the Private from Kentucky glares at him with annoyance. "Very funny, Troy. Did you take clown lessons from your dear brother?", Dietrich inquires sarcastically. "No, but you did apparently, Captain", Sam counters with a grin. "Shouldn't we help the poor fellow out, before he drowns?", Kevin asks. "You cannot actually drown in quicksand, as you will only ever sink in to your waist, well, unless you dive in head first", Moffit explains with his best Cambridge lecturer tone. "And you know that how?", Troy inquires with doubt in his tone. "Experiments during my PhD as well as countless reliable reports from Bedouins who know the desert better than any of us ever will", Jack replies coolly.
"So Pettigrew found some quicksand patch which could be called walking the earth without walking on it, wouldn't you say so, Moffit, Troy?", Dietrich points out. "We don't call you Sherlock for nothing, Captain", Sam agrees, as he hits his forehead with his palm. "So we found the air, the water and the earth now", Hans continues. "We only need to find what is hidden there." Then he turns toward Pettigrew and shouts: "Private can you feel whether something has sunken into the sand close to you?" "How about getting me out?", Tully complains. "No harm will come to you. We can only get you out, once we have secured the rope from the courtyard, as nothing usable remains in this ruin", the German Captain replies calmly. "Until then it is important that we find what is hidden around here." The young Private starts to feel around in the sand surrounding him, until he grasps something solid. "Found something, Cap!", Tully shouts. "Excellent. What is it?", Hans inquires. "Some metal cylinder. I don't wanna toss it. I give it to you, when you've gotten me out", Pettigrew replies. "That's reasonable. I need to leave you here, but Private Anaru will remain as a guard to warn us, should something happen. As I said, we need to get the rope from the courtyard, before we can help you out." "Stay calm and you won't sink in, Tully. People only die, when they get too exhausted to free themselves", Moffit adds as reassurance. "We get you out soon."
"I need you all to form a human pyramid to help Corporal Gottschlich reach the rope in the courtyard. Once he has managed to balance to the other side and find whichever clue there, we can use it to retrieve Pettigrew and then climb down into the well", Dietrich explains his plan to the Rats. "I'll kill that Merlin guy", Troy growls with anger. "Putting our lives at risk like that goes too far." "He's not really putting our lives at risk any more than you do through any of your missions", Hans tries to counter. "That's my own decision then", Sam snarls angrily. "And it's not for his entertainment." "Neither is this. Our training and ability to perform well under stress is of vital importance. I'm rather content with how we are able to combine our various skills within the unit", the German Captain counters. "I still have that nagging feeling that he or that worthless snake Fagin are observing us from somewhere", Sam grumbles. "So have I, Troy. But there is nothing we can do about that, so let's focus on our task and stay vigilant. Hitchcock, you're the lookout for now", Dietrich orders.
Troy, Daniel and Kevin O'Donnell who all have more or less the same height form the bottom row, before Jack Moffit climbs on their shoulders and provides the support for Riku Gottschlich to climb onto the roof of the building. From here he must balance over the rope to reach the tower's edge on the first floor, as the overhanging structure prohibits climbing it in the same manner. The Japanese descended American tests the rope cautiously, but finds it tightly stretched and able to hold his weight. Being the smallest among them has the advantage that he is also light weight with only Dietrich weighing less than him at the moment, even though the skinny German Captain is more than half a foot taller than him. Riku gulps nervously before breathing in deeply and focusing on his inner midst, tensing his muscles as he cautiously steps on the rope to find his balance. His comrades down in the courtyard look up with worry and apprehension, as they observe him cautiously sliding his feet over the rope inch by inch. This technique works well until he is more or less in the middle of the rope, as Hitch shouts: "Watch out! Bird!" Gottschlich looks around frantically, waving his arms to keep his balance, while Dietrich draws his handgun swiftly and takes aim with his left arm. Hans has no intention to hit the bird in flight, but wants to scare it off, however he is mainly worried about not shooting his Corporal. The bullet passes several inches over Gottschlich's head and the startled and discontent crowing of the scavenger, before it takes off again, proves the success. "Move forward, Gottschlich! I keep you covered should that beast return." The bird is indeed circling and making another attempt, but this time, Dietrich is aware and prepared to shoot before it even becomes a problem for the young Japanese stemming American.
When Gottschlich finally reaches the other ledge of the tower, the German Captain is not the only one breathing a sigh of relief. "That was damned close. What was that? Since when are birds such monsters or is it just North Africa?", Troy growls. "It is not an uncommon behaviour for certain types of birds to attack humans", Jack Moffit replies in his best lecture tone. "Usually they do this to defend their territory or their young. Since there are no young in December, we have likely stumbled into this one's territory. I suppose that bird is some sort of Corvidae or Larinae." "Never heard of those", Sam grumbles. "That is not true, Troy. The family of Corvidae includes ravens, crows and magpies. Larinae are gulls", Jack admonishes him sternly. "Why can't you say that in English in the first place, Moffit?", the American Sergeant grumbles angrily. "I strive you further your education, old man", the British Sergeant replies with a wide grin, looking not sorry in the least. Troy rolls his eyes at the comment and joins Dietrich in observing Gottschlich searching the ledge. "I found something, Captain", the young soldier exclaims and holds up a wooden box with metallic parts. "Throw it down here, then check whether you can loosen the rope without cutting it, Gottschlich! We can help you down and then up again on the other side", Hans orders, as he tries to catch the box with his left arm. Sam standing next to him keeps it from falling to the ground and studies it closely, as he holds it to his friend. "What's that?" "A box I'd say", Dietrich deadpans. Troy snorts. "I can see that. There's a lock here."
"Did you really think that Merlin would make it so easy for us?", Hans asks sarcastically. "Luckily I always carry lockpicks around and this looks simple enough to manage for one of you. Moffit, would you like to try your luck?" "I'm honored to be your apprentice, Captain", Jack replies jovially, as he accepts the wrench and the rake from the young German Captain. "I'm quite sure that this whole parcour is specifically designed for us to test our skills and cooperation", Hans assesses, as he observes the British Sergeant working on the lock. "A fairly amusing manner of gaining a reward", Jack comments, while Troy snorts. "Don't you ever come up with something like this, if you lose a bet, Jack. I'm warning you!" When the lock finally clicks, Jack opens the case carefully to reveal another folded piece of paper. "Die reinste Schnitzeljagd", Dietrich mutters grimly, while Troy growls not for the first time: "I hate that Merlin guy." "A paper chase indeed", Moffit agrees with the German Captain, as he hands him the paper. When Hans unfolds it, they recognize the characteristic drawing of a map immediately. "That's Tobruk I suppose", Jack suggests. "It definitely is", the German Captain agrees. "This is the Soukh where we passed today. You can recognize the fortress where we are stationed now. However we miss some pieces, the district with the harbor for example."
"I loosened the rope, Captain Dietrich", Gottschlich reports diligently from above. "Well done, Corporal", Hans replies. "Build a pyramid again to help him down. To add something for your German lessons, this form of cooperating to climb somewhere is called 'Räuberleiter' in German, literally a 'robbers' ladder'. A fitting term for the likes of us as it would seem." "I believe that the German term for the leader of a band of robbers is 'Räuberhauptmann', isn't it?", Moffit asks rhetorically. "That would be you, Captain." "Back to Robin Hood and his merry men it seems, Friar Tuck", the German replies dryly, while directing his men to help Gottschlich down from the ledge. They also repeat the same procedure at the other building where the second end of the rope still hangs to recover for getting Tully Pettigrew out of the quicksand. While retrieving the rope is an easy task, retrieving the Private proves to be a lot harder than expected, as simply pulling does not get him out. "I had that experience before, but we had halftracks available to help pull my men out", Dietrich mutters with a scowl. "I learned a few tricks from the Bedouins. You have to lie back and kick your feet cautiously, as if you would float on water, Tully!", Jack Moffit directs him. "I hate water", they hear the young Kentuckian curse uncharacteristically.
Nonetheless he complies in his own best interest and with the joint efforts of his whole unit they are able to get him out of the tight spot. "Maybe we should let you down that well to get clean again, Pettigrew", Dietrich comments dryly, when he sees the young American covered in sandy mud all over. "I'll pass", Tully counters equally dryly and starts taking off his clothes to dry them in the early afternoon sun, as the Captain orders him right after in a rather serious tone. "Give him water for washing his hands and groin to avoid infection!", Dietrich commands sternly, still bearing a look of concern and worry. "I'm fine", Pettigrew protests. "This is not a matter of discussion, Pettigrew. You have fresh cuts from your fight in the morning and I know from experience with some of my own men that maintaining proper hygiene after such an incident with quicksand is essential. One of my soldiers died, because a small sore spot had become infected, but he was too embarrassed to report it until it was too late, another lost his leg. I'd rather keep you healthy and intact, so get washed, Private! That's an order", the German Captain admonishes sharply which finally kills any protests, as they all help together to provide enough water for Tully to wash with.
"Did you retrieve the cylinder, Tully?", Hans asks sternly once he is assured that the Private has been properly taken care of. "I lost it", Pettigrew replies with an unmoved face. Upon seeing the shocked expressions of the others, he starts grinning. "Just kidding. It's wrapped in the inside pocket of my jacket", he replies with an unusual smirk. Dietrich, Troy and Moffit glare at him, while Sam retrieves the cylinder."I know this kind of encasing from transporting maps without getting them wet or full of sand", Hans mutters and studies it closely, while Troy looks at it from the side. "Unscrew it carefully in case another surprise is hidden in there, Troy", the German orders, leaving opening the cylinder to his Sergeant who can use both arms for this task. A rolled up piece of paper inside the cylinder contains another piece of the map of Tobruk. "This is the harbour where he had our lunch and this is the area of the old caravanserai where we are now", Dietrich assesses, pointing out the areas for his Sergeants. "The map is almost complete with just a small part in the South of the city missing. However we have no idea what to do with this." "I suppose the instructions are on the smallest map piece", Jack suggests. "When I get my hands on this Merlin guy, I'll tell him my opinion about his scavenger hunt and how I'd like to spend my afternoon off outside the fort!", Troy growls angrily. "How else would you have liked to spend it than experiencing adventures together with your friends?", Hans asks with dry irony. Sam looks baffled for a moment, before starting to grin, patting the younger German on the shoulder. "You're right. It's quite a fine time we're having, when we're not drowning in mud." "Next time we just go for a beer, Sarge, Cap", Tully comments coolly. "Where's the fun and adventure in that?", the lean Captain inquires with a smirk. "Whatever we have left from your illegal gambling today I'll spend on your beers after this. You have my word on this, Pettigrew." "Now you're talking, Cap. Count me in!", the young Private replies with an actual smile.
"Time to climb down into the well. I'm so excited", Mark Hitchcock tells his faithful audience of the Australians, Gottschlich and Anaru after finishing his recount of the torments he has gone through when retrieving Kiri from the well she has fallen into during one of their skirmishes. "Did you clean the rope again?", Dietrich inquires sternly, as he approaches them together with the Sergeants. "We rubbed it in the sand, Captain", Thomas reports diligently. "Let's hope that this suffices to retrieve what we need from this well", Dietrich mutters sternly. "It would be better if we could come up with something to use as a central beam to not have you going down along the wall. Did you see anything like that in the stables or the remains of the main building?" They all shake their heads and Jack argues: "I fear that everything made of wood was either destroyed through fire or taken by the locals as material for fires in the cold winter." "You're right. We have to accept it the way it is", Dietrich agrees reluctantly. "I can manage, Cap", Hitch promises him. "Take care, Hitchcock!"
Dietrich takes his position to shine the light of his torch into the well, although Mark also has a torch tied to his belt. Thomas Anaru is placed as their lookout, while Tully sits in the doorway of the ruined main building to avoid becoming sunburnt. Hitch grins as he holds onto the rope they have simply wound into a ring to put his foot or arm through, as wrapping it around his stomach would make them lose too much length which they do not have available. The Rats lower him gradually until the end of the rope is reached for them. Hitch can see the water several inches beneath his feet and calls: "I start looking now." "It must be something waterproof, Hitchcock", Dietrich advises. "Nothing", Mark complains after scanning all the walls around him. "Look also beneath the surface of the water!", Hans calls to him. "Still not... wait I found something!", Mark shouts with excitement. "It's a cylinder, floating just below the water level. I need to cut a string." "I can keep shining the light for you, Private. Then you can free your hand to cut it loose", the German Captain offers. The Rats holding Hitchcock's weight have sweat running down their faces in the afternoon sun, as Troy grumbles profanities in Greek and English, likely directed at the Scottish spymaster.
"I got it, Cap!", Mark calls triumphantly, when he frees the cylinder at the fifth attempt of cutting it free with his left hand. "Pull him up!", Dietrich orders and the Rats are more than happy to comply. Hitch comes up again with a metal cylinder in his left, holding it out to the Captain, while he beams proudly. "Number three. I told you I'm the King of the Wells", he crows with joy. "Yeah. Well done, Hitch. At least we had no Jerries shooting at us this time, when you come up", Troy comments with a grin. The German Captain flinches at the reference, having the scene they are talking about clearly before his eyes as well, but from a rather different perspective. His stubborn, honorless colleague, freshly arrived in North Africa and eager to prove himself, ordering him to ignore the truce and arrest the Rats, an order neither Dietrich nor his men have complied with, at least until Hitchcock has been out of the well and in spite of his efforts to end this peacefully, it has ended in a hail of bullets and grenades with Troy and his Rats escaping through uncanny luck, while Hans has found himself standing in the middle of a battlefield with only the dead to mourn and take care of with the sole exception of Kiri and her mother, the two human beings he has therefore focused his attention on first.
A hand gripping his shoulder literally shakes him out of his memories, as Troy looks at the young officer's face with clear concern. "Are you alright, Captain? You look like you've seen a ghost" "Not just one, Troy", Hans mutters hoarsely, averting his haunted gaze. "We know it wasn't your fault that things escalated. That's why we tried not to hit you either", Sam tells the German Captain with an unusually compassionate tone. "You're one of us now. Not shooting at each other ever again, Captain." Dietrich sighs wearily and focuses his attention instead on the cylinder in his hands. "Would you open it again, Troy?" The American Sergeant beams eagerly. "Sure, Captain. I can't wait to get this treasure hunt over with and finally sip that beer you promised us." Wrapped in oilskin is the last piece of the map along with a text that immediately makes Sam Troy grimace with exasperation. The riddle is written in an elegant, almost archaic looking Latin script that immediately brightens Moffit's mood to see.
"Where the caged bird sings no song,
And the silent fish swim along,
Seek the eye that never weeps,
Where desert's breath forever sleeps.
From the hand that holds no blade,
To watchful beast unafraid,
Across the stones where stories lie,
'neath the gaze of the desert sky.
Four times the sun shall mark the hour,
Before the hidden bloom may flower."
"What the heck?", Troy growls incredulously, while Dietrich studies the map intently. "Did it say caged bird and something about fish?", the German Captain inquires. "What did you find?", Sam wants to know and all of them draw nearer now, gathering around the young officer and the map pieces aligned on the ground. "Look at this part of the harbour. There is a fish symbol drawn over the original map very lightly. It marks a specific area. And over there near the bazaar is a bird and these lines look like a cage", he points out. "You really got eyes like a hawk and a brain like Sherlock Holmes, Captain", Hitchcock compliments him. "Look. There is an eye", Thomas points out at a different part of the map. "I think that this isn't just a treasure hunt," Jack Moffit murmurs, as he rereads the riddle line by line. "It's a test of intellect and perception. Each line of the riddle might also refer to a specific landmark, marked with a symbol in reality, while the hand drawn symbol shows us the area to search for it."
"The language is poetic and full of symbols like we Maori would also use it in tales. It could mean an actual bird or fish but also refer to some kind of drawing or decoration. The symbol and what it represents are the same for us." Moffit smiles at the Maori with more respect than he has ever before felt for the young man. "Thomas is right. 'The caged bird that sings no song' could refer to a birdcage, either a real one at the market, or perhaps a decorative one on a building. 'The silent fish' might be a fountain or a well with a fish motif", the British Sergeant looks as excited as a child about to receive his Christmas presents. "I can't wait to put this theory to the test." "And the 'eye that never weeps'?", Kevin asks. "Perhaps a statue's eye or a well," Hans Dietrich suggests. "Water is often described as tears in Arabic poetry", Jack adds with his lecture tone. "It could be a dried out well or anything else." "So this means that we return to the city and you all keep your eyes open for symbols, but also for someone tailing us. By now I'm sure that Fagin teaches us first hand how to tail someone or how to detect such a tail and get rid of it. Pettigrew, Anaru, Troy, I want you three to specifically concentrate on spotting somebody following or watching us. Moffit, you help me with tracking our location on the map. The rest of you try to spot any of the figurative symbols described here, fish, bird, cage, desert dune, the eye, the bloom and flower, but also anything that could be a related allegory." "I love it when poetry comes to life", Hitch agrees enthusiastically. "This is really a wonderful way to spend our afternoon." Tully grunts and glares at him in annoyance, as he puts his half-dried clothes back on after shaking as much sand out of them as possible.
Hans Dietrich and Jack Moffit lead the way into the city, watching for further mines, as they carefully retrace their way to the caravanserai. The guards salute to the Captain and his unit, recognizing him from before. The young officer spreads the map on a dusty stall near the guard house and starts pointing out the areas with markings. "The first line mentions a caged bird which is drawn here in the bazaar area. Look for a building in this area with a birdcage somewhere on it, carved into the wall perhaps." "Or a stall selling birds in cages might also be an option", Moffit adds diligently. "But it could also be a small marking or symbol scratched into a wall, like the Rotwälsch thieves cant and symbols in Germany", the young Captain explains. "Why do you know about German thief's symbols, Captain?", Troy inquires with a grin. "Because some have become part of common knowledge and proverbs, Troy", Hans growls indignantly. "I think that you and Fagin might become friends after all, given your skills and willingness to give everyone a chance", Jack comments dryly. "Spare me such nonsense!", Hans growls indignantly, as he rolls up the map pieces. "We will follow the main road until we reach the bazaar. Then we split up in two groups and search the area thoroughly." All the Rats agree with that, nodding or even saluting in Gottschlich's case. Dietrich and Moffit take charge of one group each with Troy, Anaru and Gottschlich following the German Captain, while the rest stays with the Englishman. The British Sergeant covers the surrounding small side streets, while the young officer will check the bazaar area.
Kevin and Danny O'Donnell set off down one narrow alley, while Pettigrew and Hitchcock head down another with Moffit shouting directions. Dietrich, Anaru, Troy and Gottschlich begin searching the immediate area of the first stalls. "*Is there a trader selling caged birds at the bazaar?*", Hans inquires from one of the more friendly looking traders. "*Yes. There are many birds in winter. But wouldn't you be rather interested in good water canteen. This will help you survive in the desert more than any bird*", the Arab replies, eagerly switching to his mode of diligent trader. After extracting himself from the man, Hans Dietrich leads them to the described stall where rather desperate looking little birds sit in far too small cages. "I feel sorry for them. This is like a prison cell for a bird", Anaru mutters sadly. Gottschlich looks at the birds with a compassionate expression. "We cannot go around freeing birds and taking away what little base of living this bird catcher has", Dietrich admonishes them before adding more quietly: "It's not like I wouldn't feel sorry for the birds, but I also see the fate of the man and his three half-starved children playing over there in the mud and bird poop." Both soldiers look a bit chagrined, as they follow their young Captain who approaches the man at the stall now and inquires about Fagin and McLean. When the man nods at the description of the Scotsman, Dietrich turns to his men contently. "I think we have struck gold here. He recognizes Merlin. Look at the drawn sign for his stall. A caged bird that definitely cannot sing a song."
"Captain", Anaru addresses the young officer who is about to turn away. Hans raises his eyebrows incredulously, when the young soldier intends to hand him two British pounds. "What do you want me to do with that?" "Could you buy as many birds as possible with this. Then the children don't have to starve and I can set the birds free", Thomas argues with a pleading gaze. "They need this and so do I." Dietrich's expression softens immediately, as he takes the money and promises: "I will do what I can. I promise you that, Private Anaru." Five minutes later he has acquired ten small birds and a tame crow that immediately takes a liking to the shining buttons on their uniforms. Hans hands the cheeky animal to Anaru after it tries to remove his rank and unit symbols from his collar. "Wonderful. Now you bought a flying thief instead of good beer", Troy accuses him with actual annoyance. "He wants to free the birds", Dietrich tries to justify his actions. "That's utter nonsense", Troy growls. "You kids are far too sentimental and that means all of you." The German Captain bristles visibly at the affront. when the raven repeats with a croaky voice: "You." "We got a speaking bird?", Sam asks incredulously, while the young officer pinches his nose desperately. Why does Fortuna hate him so much?
"Come on. Say 'Troy'!", Sam tells the raven that croaks "Troy" and eagerly accepts a piece of dried meat jerky as his reward. "What in God's name is that?", Jack Moffit asks incredulously, as he meets the German Captain at the rim of the bazaar again. "May I introduce you to Sergeant Troy's best friend, the speaking raven", Hans replies dryly. "Little Sammy here is a real smart guy. Say 'Sam'. Saaam", Troy tells the corvid that repeats in a croaky voice: "Sam." "You bought him a speaking raven?", Jack asks incredulously. "I didn't know it could talk when I bought it. Thomas Anaru wanted me to buy the freedom of as many birds as possible", Hans provides his honorable justification. "And of course you were too noble hearted to not help the poor caged birds", Moffit completes with dry irony, unable to be truly angry with the young Captain. Anaru and Gottschlich hold up the cages with songbirds they have put on two poles holding five cages each. "We'll give them a good meal of some bread crumbs and then set them free", the Maori declares with a wide smile. "I suppose that this means that you have been successful with locating the caged bird, Captain", the British Sergeant summarizes, still eyeing Troy and his raven suspiciously. "I marked the stall on the map here", Dietrich points out. "This is the right one, since the owner recognized Merlin."
"So how about the next line,'The silent fish that swim along.' Something with fish in the harbour area is not hard to find, but it will be hard to find the right fish in a sea full of them", Jack Moffit points out. "'Swim along' is a rather unusual and specific phrase for an ornament", Dietrich points out. "We might actually need to find a fountain or a well decorated with fish or maybe a restaurant like the one we attended today. Did any of you look at the facade and remember whether there were fish ornaments?" "I remember a lot of floral ornaments inside", Hitch provides. "It is in the area we have to search. We might as well check it out", Hans provides as a comment, tracing the outline of the fish drawn on the map with his finger. "I would say that we split into smaller groups to cover more ground, as we have a lot to check in the harbor district. I want no less than three men per group though. Troy, you take Hitchcock and Kevin O'Donnell. Check out these two large streets with their side streets. They lead from here to the harbor. You cannot miss it." Dietrich moves his finger along the map, tracing the spine of the drawn fish from its tail to its head, while Troy nods. "You can count on us, Captain." The German officer nods curtly, then turns to the British Sergeant: "Moffit, you take Pettigrew and Daniel O'Donnell and go to the actual harbor. Check out the stalls and boats there!" "Aye, Captain", the former Cambridge scholar confirms his orders, as he tries to memorize the map. "Gottschlich, Anaru, you come with me to check on the restaurant and the area surrounding it!", Hans finally orders the remaining two soldiers who look happy to come with him, both carrying their poles with five birdcages each.
"Let's shake it!", Troy announces and the raven repeats: "Shake. Shaaake!" While the American Sergeant beams, the German Captain and the British Doctor look mortified. "You have opened Pandora's box, Captain", Jack voices his accusation and Hans looks truly guiltridden. "I had no idea what I was doing." "At least you came up with the idea to split up for now to spare our nerves", Moffit comments dryly. "But we need a solution. I will go insane, if we keep this bird." "We could give it to David Troy, get him kicked out of the hospital and sent on rehabilitation, far away", Dietrich suggests with more irony than seriousness. "He named the monstrum 'little Sammy'. He won't give it to his brother", the British Sergeant points out. "You're a bit unfair, Moffit. It simply talks and does not attack innocent travellers, unlike this monstrum Horus", Dietrich points out. "That is the idea of the day. We could borrow Professor Stevenson's falcon", Moffit declares dryly. "Troy will make actual barbacue out of the bird, if he kills his talking raven", the German Captain points out the fault of his plan with similar irony. "We keep looking for another solution, while we look for the fish. Good luck, Captain!", Jack tells him, before waving to his men to come along. "Viel Glück, Sergeant", Hans whishes him, as he turns to lead his assistants.
After a tense half-hour of intensely searching fish stalls, wading through algae and stinking rotting parts of fish over which the gulls are fighting, Pettigrew points at something small with a grin on his face. "Found it, Doc! There's a carving of a fish on the corner of that building, just like you said." Jack Moffit and Daniel O'Donnell rush to the location and stare at a stylized fish, almost hidden in the shadows, where it has been carved into the weathered stone, beneath a crumbling balcony. "That's not a fish meant for swimming, Tully", the British scholar explains with his best Cambridge lecture tone. "Look at those small markings. They are Latin letters. I.N.R.I. - Iesus Nazaranus Rex Iudaeorum, Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews. This is an ancient symbol of Christians, showing to those who share their faith that they are welcome here." Daniel O'Donnell makes the sign of the cross, once he has heard the explanation, then confirms: "I know the letters from our church."
Hans Dietrich meanwhile leads his men back to the restaurant where they have had dinner. Checking the facade reveals that they have missed nothing because it simply is not decorated. Ordering the two soldiers to stay outside with their birds, the Captain enters alone to speak to the proprietor who recognizes him immediately and bows: "As-Salam aleikum, Hans Dietrich." "Wa'aleikum s'salam", the young European greets back. "*You don't have to worry. I merely have a question for you.*" He unfolds the map piece which contains the harbour area. "*We are looking for an ornament depicting silent fish that swim along. It could be a fountain or well or facade or anything else in this area. Would you know anything of this kind?*" The man nods eagerly. "*The fountain of the dancing fish*", he replies. "*It's here in this main street. It's said that a rich merchant always wanted to receive his fish particularly fresh for his meals. So he ordered that in front of his house the fountain should have salty water which nobody could drink, but the servants brought the fish from the market there and then left them in the water until they were to be prepared for their master's meal." "*Thank you. You have helped us greatly*", Hans replies and bows politely, before leaving again. "I know where the fountain is. Troy and his group should find it. You should give your birds some water before we continue."
"Sarge, Sarge", Hitch calls and the raven repeats: "Sarge." Troy grins happily, as he joins Mark to look where he is pointing. "A fountain with fish swimming in a circle, just like Cap and Doc said", the young Private points out. "Brilliant, Hitch. We check the rest of the street to be safe, before we return to our roundezvous point", Troy replies with a content expression. This day is turning out far better than he has thought two hours ago. "Hitch, Troy. There's a stash over here", Kevin O'Donnell calls them over, pointing at a pile of salvaged food tins and equipment pieces which have obviously belonged to soldiers, whether Allied or Axis is not obvious. The piles are half hidden in a cellar room, but visible enough from the outside. "Something's fishy around here. Why hasn't anyone stolen that stuff?", Troy asks with a frown. "Should we wait for Captain Dietrich?", Kevin asks. "Or check it out in the meantime?", Hitch suggests. "I got a bad feeling about this place. Kevin you hide somewhere around here and keep an eye on this cellar. Hitch, we leave just as visible as we came and only return with our backup", Sam orders. "Backup", the raven repeats. "Little Sammy's a smart guy. He could replace a jackass like Warren anytime", Troy suggests with a grin, before speaking slowly for the bird: "Sam Troy."
Dietrich and his group have picked up Moffit and his men to meet Troy at the meeting point well before the arranged time. "I suppose you have been successful with locating the fountain of silent fish, Sergeant", Dietrich comments dryly. "We've been successful with locating something else as well. A stash of some sort. I'd say looters who stole from the bodies of the dead soldiers. Damned ghouls", Sam spits out angrily. "I left Kevin to observe the area and called you for backup." "Excellent, Troy", Dietrich commends him, as the raven repeats: "Troy." Jack Moffit rolls his eyes, unnerved, while the Captain glares at the bird. Only Sam smiles happily at his new pet. "Little Sammy is amazing and really clever. Say 'Sam Troy'!" "Sam ... Troy", the raven repeats with a croaky voice and cocks his head to await his reward. The Sergeant feeds him a piece of meat jerky, continuing to smile happily. "Let's shake it." "Shake!", his pet repeats and now even Dietrich looks quite unnerved, as he fights the urge to roll his eyes.
As they return to the small plaza with the fountain, Kevin O'Donnell calls them over to his hiding place with a sharp whistle. "Three men have gone inside", he whispers to the others, as they join him in a hidden side street. "Arabs or Westerners?", Hans inquires quietly. "Two were definitely Arabs with long beards and robes, but the third fellow had a fez and Western dress coat almost like he'd work at an office or something", the Australian describes. "Did they carry something inside?", Dietrich asks. "The two large fellows carried bags over their shoulders." "What do you think, Captain?", Moffit asks, when he notices the young German's thoughtful expression. "You observed several men in the courtyard yesterday. Would a man with a fez fit there?", Hans asks. "A fez has a very specific outline after all." Jack closes his eyes, as he tries to remember and finally nods. "Yes. I think one wore a fez." "You think they're conspiring with some of our men?", Troy growls angrily. "I think they bribe certain guardsmen of the nightshift and maybe the dayshift as well to allow them to steal parts of our supplies, selling them for much higher price on the black market", the German Captain replies with a scowl. "The city's economy broke down almost completely during the siege. The caravan routes that formerly led here have been erased and we have seen how dangerous herding animals is in a warzone. I think they live off the desperation or maybe the decadence of the locals, selling food and other stolen valuables." "We should catch those guys", Troy declares angrily. "We will do just that. Nine against three they should stand little chance and hopefully are clever enough to not fight to the death, as they are thieves, but not armed fanatics", Hans replies. "Kevin, Daniel O'Donnell, I want you to circle the building and cover the back should there be a second entrance. Anaru, Gottschlich, you stay back outside, in case somebody tries to run off behind our backs. The rest come with me. Take your weapons, gentlemen!" "Gentlemen", the raven repeats, cocking his head at Dietrich who glares at the noisy bird. "And keep him quiet Sergeant!"
Troy reluctantly leaves the raven with Anaru's other birds outside, before he tries to open the door on Dietrich's signal. Since it appears to be bolted from the inside, he throws himself against it with Moffit's and Pettigrew's support, until the it crashes into the hallway behind it. "*Drop your weapons!*", Dietrich bellows harshly in Arabic, having his own Colt drawn and ready, while the three still require a few second to regain their bearings. "*Put up no resistance! Then you won't be shot.*" "Don't shoot!", a male voice calls from the dark end of the hallway in English, where a figure with an oil lamp provides some light, as he steps out into the corridor. "I am sure we can find an arrangement, soldiers. We have also found one with your colleagues", he offers with an oily voice that immediately makes all the Rats dislike him. "Are you trying to bribe me?", Dietrich snarls with an offended tone. "I would never bribe a noble officer. I rather propose a business deal between smart men such as you and me", the Arab with the fez, which becomes clearly visible now, offers with an insincere smile. "I give your two men ten seconds to surrender before I shoot you myself", the German officer growls with an offended tone, aiming his gun at the man's head in a clearly threatening manner. Realizing that negotiating is not an option the oily Arab, raises his hands in the air. "You're a man of honor. You wouldn't shoot an unarmed man who surrenders", he argues slyly. "Don't bet on it!", the angry German snaps, before bellowing in Arabic: "*You have ten seconds to throw out your weapons and come into this hallway unarmed with your hands in the air!*" "*Do what he says!*", the oily Arab orders a second later and two rifles are cast into the hallway three seconds later, before the two bearded Arabs emerge from the next room.
"Take the weapons and check that they are not armed, all three of them!", Dietrich orders his men. Troy, Pettigrew and Moffit move forward with drawn weapons, each searching one of the Arabs. "All clear", Jack reports and so do Sam and Tully. "Keep them in check. Hitchcock, you come with me!", the German Captain orders, as he cautiously moves past the men and steps into their hideout. The piles on the floor are only the recent stashes, as many shelves filled with Italian, German, British, Australian and a few very fresh looking American equipment pieces, medical supplies and even personal possessions line the walls. "That's like Ali Baba stepping into the den of the forty thieves", Hitch provides his comment. "That's a large scale operating ring which has been active during the sieges and occupations times", Dietrich assesses. "They cannot have such a depot without good connections." "Captain", he hears a faint shout from outside which is repeated by Troy. "Let's go, Hitchcock! Keep your weapon ready. I have a bad feeling about this", Dietrich whispers to the Private, as he passes him by. Troy understands his suspicion wordlessly, and tightens his grip on the Arab whom controls with his weapon pointed at the man's head. Similarly, Pettigrew and Moffit handle their captives.
Once they step outside, they find a dozen British soldiers spreading out in the courtyard, pointing their weapons at the emerging men. A tall imposing figure in an officer's uniform steps toward them, clapping his hands very slowly and deliberately. "Captain Sherlock. I should have known better than to send you to this location without previous instructions", Alexander McLean assesses coolly. "These men are scavengers, looters, fences and thieves, stealing from the living and the dead", Dietrich voices his accusation. "I know", the Scottish spymaster replies. "You allow them to steal from Allied troop depots and defile our dead?", the young German Captain snarls incredulously. "I have a standing arrangement with these men. We pay for their services in a way which is not openly documented", Merlin replies coolly. "You let those thieves go? Just like that?", Troy asks incredulously. "Not just like that. I release valuable connections and sources of information and special goods required for our operations", the Scotsman replies coldly. "You're a spineless jackass!", Troy growls at the tall Scottish officer who grins insolently. "Sergeant Troy wishes to register his objection against the manner in which you have put our unit to the test and handle this situation, Lieutenant Colonel", Dietrich supplies smoothly, after recovering from his inital shock of Troy threatening and offending an officer for the second time on this day. "I find your manner rather refreshing at times, Sergeant, but I still have to agree that the week of laundry duty for cleaning your attitude will do you some good", McLean counters dryly. "Release my business partners now. Then you may continue with your little treasure hunt unperturbed. You're faster than I would have thought." "Release the men!", the German Captain growls the order with clear reluctance, bearing the same expression Troy and Moffit know from countless times of fruitlessly negotiating with the Rat Patrol, forced to let them go in the end. For the first time they can actually share his frustration.
With his head proudly held high, Captain Hans Dietrich stalks right between the British soldiers backing up McLean, glaring at the man contemptuously. Troy and the Rats follow with similar stances, although they appear even more of a motley crew than usual with Pettigrew's disheveled mud stained uniform, the raven perched on Troy's arm while Anaru and Gottschlich carry the poles with bird cages. The spymaster starts speaking with the man with the fez, as soon as they are out of range. "Should we actually continue with this farce, Captain?", Moffit asks Dietrich, once the young officer has stopped at the next small plaza with a well to speak with his men. A few Arabs surround a young teenager who performs some tricks for their entertainment, otherwise the place is empty and definitely empty of any threats. "I say we continue just to prove that scumbag what we're worth", Troy insists, taking both the German and the Brit by surprise. "Sarge is right. We won't give up now", Hitch insists as well and the O'Donnells agree in a similar manner. "I'm with you, Cap", Tully confirms and takes his place along with his comrades in arms. "We'll join you, but would be grateful to release our poor friends here", Anaru declares. "We surely won't let that man shame us or you, Captain!" "It seems we have an agreement and you have just been outvoted, Doctor", Hans mutters dryly. "I'll stand by you whatever you want to do", Jack counters calmly. "Then let us finish what we have begun!", Dietrich declares sternly. "Let's shake it!", Troy adds. "Shake!", the raven repeats with his croaky voice.
"Almedin", the scrawny circus boy calls and the raven immediately flies off Troy's arm to land on his shoulder, rubbing its head against the boy's cheek. "*This is your bird?*", Hans inquires, while Sam Troy looks incredulous. "*Kharim, the bird catcher, caught him and said that he is his bird now, that I can buy him back. But I cannot earn much money without Almedin*", the young Arabic acrobat explains, as he gently rubs the raven's belly which the bird visibly enjoys. "*I bought the raven from the bird catcher*", Hans tells him cautiously. "*I cannot pay much, effendi. Please have mercy in Allah's name!*", the young man pleads with actual desperation. "*You know how to handle animals?*", Dietrich inquires sternly and the boy nods. "*Yes. I learned it from the circus I travelled with, when I found Almedin and trained him. But there are no caravans or circuses now and I have to live of my skills and his*", the youngster explains. "*Do you know other acrobatic tricks?*" The Arab nods again, more cautiously this time. "*What do you want me to do, effendi?*" "*I want to hire you for the next two days. Each afternoon we will join you to learn some acrobatics and circus tricks*", the European officer explains.
Moffit translates the discussion for the Rats meanwhile. All look happy except for Troy who scowls, sa he grumbles with an accusatory tone: "That's little Sammy you're just giving away." "Don't be sentimental, Troy! It's just a bird and the Captain is making a good bargain", Moffit argues. Dietrich intercedes as well: "Don't be ridiculous, Troy! I know you like this bird. But be realistic! We are desert commandos and cannot take care of a bird all the time. A cat or dog are easy to leave in somebody's care, but a raven is not. You don't want it killed either as little as we want Fritz or Bastet killed. Also the boy is the rightful owner of the bird. The man stole a tame trained circus animal from him. It's only fair to return it and give him the chance to earn a proper living again which is hard enough for a young acrobat in a city like this." "Fine. I know you're right, Jack, Captain. Just let me... say goodbye, will you?" "Of course", Hans agrees compassionately, while Moffit scowls, but shrugs. "Say Sam. Sam", Troy tells the bird who repeats: "Sam." "Troy", the Sergeant adds. "Troy", the raven repeats diligently, cocking his head as he waits for his reward which he receives from the Sergeant in the form of a large piece of jerky.
"*What is your name?*", Hans asks the youngster. "*Moumen*", he replies with a smile, petting his raven that interacts with the brutal looking soldier who appears actually friendly. "*I'm Hans Dietrich. Come to the fort tomorrow at noon and wait for me outside the gates. You will see a young street boy named Ahmed. Don't harm him. He knows me and works for me as well*", the German Captain orders sternly. After Dietrich and the teenager have exchanged final greetings, the Arab acrobat turns to leave. "Sam... Troy", the raven crows just before they exit the plaza. "I like you too, little Sammy", Troy mutters. "A terrifying lion with a soft heart", Jack whispers to Dietrich. "I've always known that Troy is very sentimental", the young Captain replies dryly. "And I'm proud of your brilliant idea of getting rid of the beast", the British Sergeant adds with a smirk. Hans scowls however. "My first priority was to return the bird to its rightful owner." "Forgive me for doubting your honor, Captain!", Jack adds quickly. "Doch warum das Gute nicht mit dem Nützlichen verbinden", the young Captain adds with a sly smile that they have proverbially killed two birds with one stone. "Sie sind wirklich ein Fuchs, Dietrich", Jack agrees that the German is indeed a fox.
"What is our next line?", Hitch wants to know. "Seek the eye that never weeps", Jack reads from the bottom of the map. "There is an eye in this area of the bazaar", Hans points out after squinting for several seconds to make out the symbol corresponding to the line. "Let's split up again in the same groups as before", he suggests and the Rats immediately agree. The search continues, leading all the three groups through the labyrinthine bazaar. Hitch gets distracted more than once by a beautiful young woman with her hair hidden underneath a veil, while she eyes the blond foreign soldier with curious almond eyes. Troy calls him back to his senses quickly by knocking the stubborn Private over the head. "You got a fiancé. Remember? That wildcat will tear out your eyes, if you continue staring after every girl."
Moffit arrives at a small, dry fountain in a courtyard at the rim of the bazaar with its basin decorated with floral ornaments. "That doesn't look like an eye to me", Daniel comment nonchalantly. "Your lack of faith is appalling", Jack comments dryly. "I have faith in Jesus, the virgin Mary, the holy spirit", the Australian counters. "They will unfortunately not help us with our search", the British scholar counters dryly. "Have you tried praying to St. Anthony of Padua already? He's the patron saint of lost things", Danny O'Donnell counters coolly, taking Moffit competely by surprise, as he stares back at the young man incredulously.
"Nazar!", a middleaged Arabic trader with a long well-trimmed beard shouts loudly, holding out round glass beads with a blue rim around a thin white, a wider lightblue circle and a black dot in the center. "This looks like an eye, Captain", Thomas Anaru points out to Dietrich who after a brief moment of astonishment approaches the trader. Although the man is originally from Turkey and has come to trade in the region, they can quickly find Arabic as their common language. "*Your beads look like eyes*", the German points out after politely greeting the man. "*They are, effendi. As you know 'nazar' means 'vision', but also 'insight'. This is a charm to protect you against the evil eye, but also to grant you higher vision. It is also called 'the eye of Fatima', named after the youngest daughter of the Prophet Mohammed*", the trader explains enthusiastically. "*I see. I thought that depicting people is not allowed for Muslims though*", Dietrich argues. "*You are right, effendi, and very knowledgable. The eye is only symbolical and not an actual person's eye*", the Turkish trader replies. "*Would people paint this on a house?*", Hans inquires what interests him. "*No. This is not a symbol for decoration. As a protective symbol you carry it with you all the time, as only the city dwellers stay in houses while the nomads need to move and thus have this with them all the time*", he explains.
"*I see. A bit like my life here in North Africa in the last two years*", the German Captain comments dryly. "*You are a soldier?*", the trader asks. "*I am an officer, a commander of soldiers. I have travelled from Tunisia to Libya and crossed the country more often than I can count. You're the first Turkish trader I meet however. Isn't it dangerous to come to a warzone, when your home would be safe?*", Hans inquires. "*I trade in protective charms. They are most needed, when times are unsafe*", the man replies. "*I give people hope through these trinkets.*" "*A noble attitude*", the young officer comments. "*Have you met a large man, taller than me and a lot more muscular who speaks a bit Arabic and usually looks like he has some secret?*" "*You mean Master Merulin*", the trader replies with a smile. "*Are you the fox?*" "*They call me young fox sometimes*", the German Captain replies, sounding a bit surprised. "*This is for you then*", the Turkish man declares, as he holds out a symbol of the eye on a woven leather cord. "*May it protect you from the evil eye and give you a clear vision.*" "*Thank you*", Hans replies, as he takes the symbol and struggles to put it over his head using only his left arm. "*May I help you?*", the trader offers and steps closer to the German, whispering: "Wüstenfuchs." The young officer's eyes widen, as he flinches back from the man, reaching for his weapon. "*Don't attack! Merulin told me to test you. I know that you're German, but fight with the Englishmen now. My father fought with the Germans in the Great War. That's how I know some words. And I like hearing the radio. They call your German General fanak, desert fox. Is this why they call you young fox?*" "*I'm not a General or of any relevance. I'm only a German officer, now working for the Americans*", Dietrich counters. "*You speak Arabic really well and you know how to behave. For sure you're a smart leader of your soldiers. I see why they call you a fanak. I wish you Allah's protection and may Fatima's eye watch over you*", the Turkish trader declares and bows which the German Captain answers likewise, before turning back to his men. "We found our location. Well done, Private Anaru."
The others meet them again at the entrance of the bazaar where their ways have split. "I found the eye that does not weep", Dietrich tells them, wearing the amulet around his neck. "Nice", Troy comments. "We came across a hand that holds no blade, Captain", Moffit reports and lets the young officer unfold the map to point at a location which is indeed in an area where they can now make out a drawn hand. "It is the hand of a clock, the only one more or less intact on a church tower", Jack explains. "Well done", Dietrich commends him and marks the location on the map like the other ones. "Wait. Now, I remember what the desert's breath is and where it sleeps", Hitch tells them proudly, enjoying the astonished faces of the two. "My latest lady acquaintance showed me where to go and find the special resthouse. The desert breath is their perfume creation." "Please tell me that it's not what I think it is, Hitch!", Moffit states indignantly. "You only pay for the rooms, not the company. I wouldn't need that", Mark counters with a grin. "Let us check this ourselves!", Troy declares. "Lead the way, Hitch!" "I only know how to get there from the main street at our fort", Mark replies a bit sheepishly.
Dietrich leads them there without even stopping to consult the map once. From the main street Hitch guides the group into the quieter residential district where obviously the richer inhabitants of the city dwell. "Here it is", Mark declares, pointing at a rather inconspicuous house which has nothing special about it. The "desert's breath" is symbolized by a depiction of a djinn in the form of a whirlwind edged into the side of the building. "Apparently they have a history", Moffit states dryly, while Dietrich marks the location on the map. "Now we have only two pieces of this puzzle missing, the 'watchful beast', and the 'stones where stories lie'", Jack reads from the poem. "Any suggestions for those? Are there any Ancient ruins is the area, Moffit?" "The city dates back to Ancient Greek and Roman settlements and was names Antipyrgos back then, but I'm not aware of any notworthy ruins in the area, Captain", the British scholar replies diligently. "I have a different suggestion however. The stones of a cemetery mark a place where many stories, many life stories lie. The cemetery should be simply to find." "That is a good idea Moffit", Dietrich agrees. "We can only keep our eyes open for a watchful beast. Wait. Didn't you say that you found a clocktower?" "Yes", Moffit replies. "Did you see a falcon or a falcon's nest anywhere near it or in the vicinity? That would count as a watchful beast." "Quite literally. And they are unafraid when they dive down from the sky to defend their territories", Moffit agrees. "The stones are our last location to find anyways. Let's look for the cemetery and keep our eyes open for any falcons hunting", Dietrich suggests. "Across the stones where stories lie, beneath the gaze of the desert sky", Moffit reads. "You're right. This sounds more like we have to go to this cemetery and continue onward from there." "Four times the sun shall mark the hour", Hans reads. "I would say that we have to be there at 1600." "It's already past 1500 now", Troy grumbles. "So much for an afternoon off." "We won't give up now", Hitch insists.
The pressure mounts as the sun begins its slow descent, while they make their way toward the cemetery. "There's a falcon!", Troy calls and points at the sky. "Well spotted, Troy. Meeting Horus left a lasting impression after all", Hans commends him with irony. "Don't mention that monster!", Troy growls. "I'd rather face the SS again than this murderous little beast." "That's very likely what will happen in your life", Dietrich counters dryly. Gottschlich climbs the wall of a crumbling ruin of a house and spots the falcon's nest soon after, describing the position to Dietrich who marks it on the map.
As they reach the cemetery half an hour later, all of them are quite itchy and nervously search for what there might be to spot. "We split up. Then we can cover more ground. But we stay within range of sight to be able to signal to each other", Dietrich decides and directs his soldiers where they are to move to cover more or less the whole cemetery area. The German Captain himself chooses an exposed monument, elevated above the rest of the cemetery to observe the surroundings, cursing his lack of foresight to not have brought binoculars along. At exactly 1600 he sees a reflection originating from the city wall behind the cemetery. Observing it closely, Dietrich shouts and waves to his men, pointing where they are supposed to go. All of the Rats rush to the location with Pettigrew and Anaru being the first because their locations have been closest.
Tully sees the construction of a lens and a mirror positioned in such a way that only for a short time span the sun is reflected by the mirror and shines through the lens. "Look!", Thomas points at a grave stone which is spotlighted. "Over there!", he calls and directs Dietrich and Troy who are closest to the grave stone, before the sun has changed its course too much. "What now? Graverobbery?", Troy growls. "That lousy Brit is the worst after that jackass Warren." "Athough I wouldn't put it beyond him, I doubt that they have committed graverobbery or want us to do so", the German Captain replies calmly, as he searches the gravestone. "There is something hidden behind the stone, Troy." The American Sergeant helps him to retrieve the small wooden box which is unsurprisingly locked. "Would you like to crack it yourself, Captain?", Jack inquires, as he arrives as wrll. "Fine", Dietrich snorts and lets Troy hold the box, while he fiddles with the lock. Inside they find another smaller box without a lock but a round hole which lies above a strange mechanism. While Troy and Moffit stare at the outlandish construction, Dietrich takes the small leather pouch from his chest pocket and retrieves the lens. A quick check verifies that it fits into the hole, where places it, before telling Troy: "Hold it into the light so the lens works as a focus!" The American Sergeant obeys without discussion staring as curiously as the others until they hear a soft click after several seconds. "How did that work?", Thomas Anaru asks curiously. "The lens focuses the light, heating the metal wires of the mechanism which expand and open the lock. At least that's my educated guess", Dietrich replies as he opens the case to finda handwritten note. "Smart", Troy mutters. "Your science education pays off, Captain", Jack agrees. "Maybe", the German Captain comments, before his expression turns into a frown as he reads, barely containing his anger: "Dear Sherlock,
Congratulations for your successful fulfillment of your task. Your unit promises to become even better through challenges mastered together. As a true Scotsman I know that another way of gluing men together is through sharing, food and drink, particularly a good brew. Return to the fort with this to obtain the actual invitation to the location I have chosen for you and your men! I will see you soon. M."
"He's playing cat and mouse with us", Troy foams. "It was an enjoyable afternoon for the most part and a fun treasure hunt", Moffit tries to hold against him. "Enjoy your last day of freedom, Troy. From tomorrow onward you serve in the laundry until Christmas", Dietrich comments dryly. "Don't remind me!", Sam grumbles. "Greet the kid and little Sammy from me, when you go to your afternoon training." "We might be able to switch the morning and afternoon work sessions at the laundry on one of those days", Dietrich proposes magnanimously. "You're a good man, Captain, like I always say", the American Sergeant declares with a grin. "Thank you." "You're welcome. We'd better change this for our actual dinner invitation", the young officer replies with a smirk.
Most of the tension is relieved, when they return to the fort. Privates Harvey and Fordell are still on duty and greet the group of soldiers. "You heard the good news already? Warren, the scumbag, left the city for good", the freckled young Brit shares with a stage whisper, grinning from ear to ear. "I was present when the General announced this", Dietrich replies dryly. "Oh, it's because of you. We should get you a drink one day, Capt'n", his friend declares with a smirk. "What are all the birdies for? Secret mission for Merlin?" "You know how stage wizards need birds for their tricks", Hans enjoys to pull one over on them, while Thomas Anaru briefly looks incedulous, before starting to grin. "He's doing a real magic show?", the freckled one wants to know. "Not for the common soldiers I fear", the German Captain counters dryly. "It's always for 'em high and mighty officers. Noone cares 'bout us common folks", the other Brit complains. "He did stage shows for the common soldier of the LRDP with real card tricks and everything", Troy volunteers his friend who glares at him. "You're a wizard? Of course, you're Merlin's apprentice", the soldier comments and laughs at his own joke, while Dietrich grimaces. "I have done something like that to relieve the tension of the strenuous journey to Tobruk. But you should have ample entertainment around here." "Some steep bars with beer that's so horrible only the Yankees can drink it and the usual cards and games of us soldiers. That's 'bout it", the soldier laments. "Cap's really good with cards. His tricks are amazing", Hitch provides with a grin. "Currently, my injury prevents me from giving such a performance, but I will suggest it to your senior officers", Hans proposes as a peace offer. "Blimey. You're the nicest officer around", the freckled one supplies. "He definitely is. The rest of them's a bunch of jackasses", Troy agrees. "Sergeant Troy, is a week of laundry duty not enough for reminding you of proper military manners?", Dietrich asks sternly. "I remember them alright. Doesn't mean I like them or the brass", Sam grumbles. "And you wouldn't rat out your friends, Captain." Pinching his nose, Hans sighs wearily. What did he do to deserve this?
"We'll see you around", Troy tells the two British soldiers, as he follows his Captain who leads the way into the courtyard. "I need to find Jakob and make arrangements for the children. Ari will not forgive me, if I don't keep my promise and listen to what they did", the young officer explains. "Sure. That's way more important than that idiot Merlin", Troy agrees. "Pettigrew, take a shower and get rid of the remaining sand, before you return. Moffit, try to find out what Merlin is doing. Ask for an audience in half an hour and retrieve me from the hospital where I will likely be. The rest of you spend your time as you please, we will meet again here after my meeting with Lieutenant Colonel McLean", Dietrich orders. "Sure. We take care of those birdies now", Sam declares, pointing at the cages Thomas and Riku still carry around. "I'll try and get some bread crumbs from my friends onthe kitchen crew", Hitch offers. "They all know me from asking for food for Fritz, my favourite dog hero." At Troy's approval, the young Private darts off to beg for some dry bread crumbs.
"Captain, aren't those Ari and Kiri?", Daniel O'Donnell asks the German officer meanwhile, as he points at several figures at the far end of the courtyard. That three of the figures come running toward them proves him right. Fritz is the first to be heard, as he yelps and barks with excitement and jumps up to place his front paws on the young Captain's thigh to greet him first, fawning eagerly. Then he moves on to Troy, while Ari followed by Kiri arrives and pulls his brother into a tight embrace. "I can write 'Ari' and 'Kiri' and 'Hans' now", he proudly informs his beloved caregiver, while Kiri huddles against him as well, a bit jealous. "And we learned that the land here is called Kyrenaika and it's part of Libya which is really big", the Bedouin girl shares her new wisdom. "I see that you're very attentive students. I hope Miss Lincoln had no reasons to be discontent", Dietrich mutters with a gentle tone. The woman in question joins them now, as she has approached more slowly with a worried looking blond boy at her side. Miles Simms tries to stay as close as possible to her, as he observes the tall German Captain with apprehension. "Good afternoon, Miss Lincoln, Miles", Hans greets them politely which makes the young Brit eye him with a spark of curiosity rather than just wariness. "I hope that Ari and Kiri have behaved well", the young officer continues. "They have been formidable students, well-behaved, polite, friendly and curious. They reflect their caregiver I suppose", the young tutor replies calmly, assessing the skinny Captain with his bruised face more closely than before. "We all tried to provide them with an example of good manners and proper behaviour, particularly Sergeant Moffit and Lieutenant Silberblatt", Dietrich replies modestly.
"Hey, Cap. I was lucky and got a whole plate with all their bread crumbs", Mark Hitchcock shouts his report, before stopping short, when he becomes aware of their female company right when Fritz jumps up on him to greet his friend. "What do you do with bread crumbs?", Jane Lincoln asks curiously. "Feed the birds before we set them free", Hans replies with a smile. "I want to feed the birds too", Kiri demands and Ari immediately agrees. "It looks like we will accompany you for the bird session", the German Captain comments with a smile. "Which is absolutely fine with me, since I helped negotiating their freedom after all. I hope you don't mind, Private Anaru?" The young Maori soldier shakes his head and smiles broadly at the children. "I invite everyone to come and set the little ones free." Turning to the nanny and her ward who looks a bit scared and lost, Hans inquires gently: "Would you like to join us as well, Miles? We're going up on the fortress wall." The tall European officer points at the wall and observes the boy who looks torn between his own curiosity and his fear. "It will be nice, Miles", Ari tells his friend gently. "You don't have to be afraid. Hans will protect us." With unflinching trust he leans into his caregiver's side to prove his point. After some moments of hesitation Miles finally nods cautiously and Miss Lincoln smiles gently, when she notices the positive influence of his new friends on her ward.
The soldiers guarding the walls of the fort watch in astonishment, when Dietrich leads Hitchcock, Gottschlich, Anaru and Troy followed by the three children and the teacher onto the guard rail. There they feed the small songbirds, handing crumbs to each of the children. Thomas Anaru speaks gently with the birds and the kids, as he shows them how to best provide them with the food. Kiri is the boldest, trying it out first, before Ari follows her example and Miles hesitantly throws in the crumbs as well, smiling widely when the small chirping songbird starts picking the crumbs eagerly. "We should move back and give them some room, when we open the cages", the German Captain advises, before the Maori Private starts opening cage after cage. Kiri, Ari and Miles stare with open mouths, as the first bird cautiously hops out if its cage, stretches its wings, flapping a few times, before taking off into the sunset.
While some of the small birds take off immediately, others stay to pick more crumbs without much shyness from the soldiers and children. "Cute", Sam comments. "I thought we were all sentimental kids in your eyes, Sergeant", Hans remarks dryly. "Well. Little Sammy kinda opened my eyes. You're sentimental kids, but you're right that I'm a sentimental fool as well, Captain." Dietrich smiles with honest amusement. "We're both, Troy. That's what binds us together." Thomas Anaru startles the German Captain, when he pats his shoulder and declares heart felt: "Kia ora. Thank you for showing compassion for these little creatures. We learned a lot today, not just military skills." Gottschlich bows. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Captain Dietrich dono." "It's good that the kids have an idol to look up to, not just the little ones", Troy declares. The little ones are absolutely excited about the experience, still watching until the last birds fly away, while their tutor approaches the German Captain. "That was a wonderful experience, not just for the children, but also for me. I had not expected such small gestures of compassion among battle hardened soldiers as you must all be. Thank you, Captain. I believe that you have done a greater deed than you can even imagine." The German Captain bows politely, as he replies: "It was my pleasure, also to invite you and Miles to join us. I have a request for you, Miss Lincoln. Lieutenant Colonel McLean will invite my men and me to dinner this evening. Would you be so kind to look after Ari and Kiri during the evening, before leaving them with Lieutenant Silberblatt and the nurses for the night?" "I'm sure we will find a nice way to pass our time", she promises. "Ari, Kiri, we will stay together until the evening, as your foster father will have to leave again soon", Jane tells her wards who look briefly confused, before hugging Hans. "Why can't you stay with us?", Ari pleads. "Because somebody decided that we will be invited for dinner tonight, outside of the fort which us why you can't join. It would be too dangerous", Dietrich explains gently. "But you'll come back?", the boy worries. "I will come back. I promise you that. We're only going to dinner, not into battle", Hans replies calmly. "I will see you again tomorrow and you can spend your evening with your new friend." Kiri huddles against his other side, muttering: "But we'll miss you." The German Captain smiles warmly. "So will I. But we will meet again tomorrow." "Miles really liked the birds", the Jewish boy tells his caregiver happily. "And we did too." "I'm glad you did. I will see you tomorrow", the young officer tells them both, squeezing each of their shoulders gently.
"Let's shake it. Dinner's waiting and we won't get it till you've shaken it out of that Scottish jackass", Troy declares, once they have seen the children and their nanny off. "You can accompany me or visit your brother, Troy", Hans suggests which is received with grumbling complaints. "I'd rather see Davey than that Merlin guy again today. I might break his nose after all", Sam growls and makes his way to the hospital to visit his brother. If David is the preferable company, his relationship with the Scottish spymaster can hardly get any worse, Dietrich reflects, as he makes his way down from the wall. In the courtyard Jack Moffit meets him already. "Merlin said to bring you along as soon as possible." "Which is now, as I have taken care of the children already", Dietrich replies calmly. "Troy chose to visit his brother instead of joining us." "Is it that bad?", Jack asks dryly. "Well, after what happened today, I cannot blame him for being resentful." "I'm sorry that I have passed on your report to the wrong authorities, Doctor", Hans apologizes with slightly slumped shoulders and a guilty expression. "From the perspective of the law perhaps. But in this way we have not cost British secret service one of its collaborators." Dietrich heaves a heavy sigh. "I had men under my command starving and dying of untended wounds for lack of supplies and now I have to let thieves, who care only about their profit, go, knowing that somewhere a soldier needing those supplies might die because of this." Jack studies him intently, before placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder, startling him slightly. "You're a humanitarian and a humanist, Captain. Those two fellows at the gate rightfully called you the nicest officer around. You're close enough to your men to not have an attached perspective. You've starved, frozen and bled alongside the common soldiers to still care about them as individuals. It wouldn't make you a good General, but it makes you an excellent commanding officer of a small unit such as ours. As Troy keeps nagging you, we're really lucky to have you." Dietrich meets his gaze and studies the British Sergeant's expression for a few seconds, before replying: "Thank you, Moffit. You're the more reasonable man than Troy, but still not immune to human faults like emotions." "Neither are you, Captain", Jack replies with a smile.
When they arrive at Merlin's hideout they find the shelf uncharacteristically left ajar and hear several voices from within. Both Dietrich and Moffit stop short and exchange worried gazes, before continuing inside. The room looks as if it has been changed into a briefing room with half a dozen of the high ranking officers standing around a table with a map of Tobruk. General Atkins and Simms, Major Fitzgerald and Colonel Ranking along with two British officers Dietrich only recognizes from their first meeting, but has not been introduced to have gathered here along with the spymaster. "Captain Dietrich", General Atkins greets the tall German jovially. "We were just talking about you." General Simms who is standing next to his American colleague observes the young Captain with narrowed eyes and a stern expression. "You interfered with one of our operations", he growls grimly. "My apologies, General Simms. I was not aware that this was a secret operation of the Allies. Given the evidence at hand I thought that we had come upon a gang of looters and thieves stealing supplies from the soldiers who might desperately need them, when starving out in the desert or requiring those bandages and drugs to dress their wounds." Unexpectedly, Atkins intercedes on behalf of the skinny young officer. "You're German and have experienced that lack of supplies in a different manner than most of us except for the Rats of Tobruk perhaps." The Australian Major bears a more sympathetic look now and even Simms' grim expression has changed to a more puzzled one, while Atkins twirls his moustache with a thoughtful expression.
"You acted to uncover those stealing from our soldiers?", General Simms inquires with actual astonishment. "I knew from Sergeant Moffit's observation that some soldiers of the fort were involved. I thought they were bribed, but they have probably acted under your orders", Hans explains calmly. "When we came across piles of food tins, medical supplies and military equipment I felt that it was my duty to act, even when I'm not officially on duty." Atkins exchanges a long gaze with Colonel Ranking, nodding briefly, as Lieutenant Colonel McLean steps forward, clapping his hand slowly and diliberately. "I sent you in the direction myself. I simply had not thought that our collaborators would be so careless to openly show this and draw your attention. Luckily, Fagin has not underestimated your willingness to act for a moment and retured to warn us, when he noticed that your Sergeant Troy left one of your men as a lookout." "So he did shadow us the whole afternoon", Dietrich states grimly. "To provide me with reports on your efforts. I suppose you want to give me something, Sherlock", the Scotsman replies with a grin, holding out his hand. Dietrich extracts the folded paper from the collection he has accumulated in his jacket pocket and hands it to the spymaster. "You were faster than I thought. Originally, I had intended this as the final test for you and your unit, but then I wouldn't have to train you any further, given your successes", Alexander McLean comments dryly, as he passes the paper on to General Atkins.
"Your ability to detect and shake off a tail as well as some other skills, which are considered actual spywork are among the only ones I see a great necessity to train you and your men, as otherwise you have a high potential unit of commando soldiers which we could send out into the field if not for the injuries of some unit members", Merlin assesses with a sly smile, before adding with clear irony in his tone, "even though you have demonstrated quite well today that you're a man not to be underestimated, neither mentally nor physically." Dietrich eyes him a bit warily, trusting the Scottish sypmaster's flattery even less than his other schemes. "Captain Warren has left the fort two hours ago, Captain Dietrich", General Atkins informs him sternly. "I trust that this will suffice to restore order for the moment." "Neither I nor my men came looking for trouble", the German Captain protests. "I didn't accuse you of that. We are quite familiar with Captain Warren and his attitude. He is a competent man in the field, but not very accepting of anything below his high standards", the American General provides as an explanation, before sighing wearily. "I should have known in advance that your unflinching defence of your principles and self-destructive chivalry would cause conflicts with his unforgiving attitude."
"My apologies, General", the German Captain provides with a professional tone. "Don't apologize, Captain! I knew and I know that you will act like this again. After the first time you defied my orders you cleared warned me that you would choose the safety and well-being of the men under your responsibility over military protocol. You were right that I should have known better when taking in an officer the Germans have charged with routine insubordination. Nonetheless you're a good officer and far more competent than we would have given you credit for, Captain. We could all observe this ourselves in the courtyard today where every office window of this building is looking, at least of the higher eanking staff. Don't repeat this though or I'll have you thrown in the brig along with your unruly unit to cool your moods!" Dietrich has tensed visibly and salutes with the diligence of the German officer he is by training since early childhood, clicking his heels even. "General Atkins. I have not the slightest intention to ever repeat this. But when it comes to choosing between my men's well-being and the brig, I will stand by my men anytime." Jack Moffit admires his bravado not for the first time. Dietrich's pride and unrelenting attitude to stand by his principles have earned him many soldiers' trust and loyalty on all sides of this war. McLean whispers with the two British officers in the background who look quite scandalised, Colonel Ranking is taken aback by the open statement of defiance, the Australian Major openly smiles, while Simms mutters to Atkins: "You've gained a fine commando officer here, Richard." "Troy would be proud of you", Jack whispers to his young commander who still stands his ground with the stance of a proud young lion ready to take on a whole pack of hyenas.
Atkins turns back to his defiant young Captain and measures him from head to toe. "I hope it won't come to this and trust in your willingness to resolve matters in a more peaceful and quiet manner, Captain. I'm curious now, as to the challenges Merlin has tested you and your men with. Please, enlighten us." Dietrich blinks for a moment, a little taken aback by the switch of topic, before he takes out the collection of papers from his jacket pocket, unfolds them diligently one by one and places them on the table, reconstructing the map of Tobruk and the additional instructions. With calm diligence he then provides his report and description of the challenges and how his men have worked together to overcome them, purposefully pointing out Gottschlich's, Anaru's and Pettigrew's parts in their collaboration as well as the participation of his other unit members. "You marked all the locations on the map", Alexander McLean comments with a smile. "You found them all correctly. Now you have to finish this task by combining the right ones with lines. The eye gazes at the stones, the beast watches the fish, the bird flies on the desert's breath, while the hand points at the ruin." Dietrich follows his instructions, taking a ruler from the map table and drawing the lines combining the named location, noticing that they all meet in a single point. "You're a trained observation officer for the artillery. One can tell that you know how to make precise sketches in the field", one of the British officers comments unexpectedly. At the German's surprised expression he introduces himself: "Lieutenant Colonel Evans. I'm in charge of the artillery defence of the city." Hans salutes diligently. "A pleasure to meet you." "The pleasure is all mine, Captain. It's unfortunate that you don't serve in the artillery any longer." "We need a man with the Captain's unique skillset for more intricate missions, Lieutenant Colonel", Atkins intercedes. "This was a very informative report, Captain. I felt quite entertained simply listening to it. What is the purpose of the location he has just determined, Merlin?" "This is the place where the Captain and his unit will have dinner for tonight", the Scottish spymaster replies smoothly. "I hope they have acceptable beer or Troy and Pettigrew will start a revolt", Dietrich remarks dryly. "They're Yankees. They're also content with inacceptable beer unlike the Captain and I", Moffit supplies with equal irony. Atkins chuckles, as he twirls his moustache. "I hope you have taken care of the soldiers' desperate needs, Merlin. They deserve this after this scavenger hunt you have put them through." "You need not worry. Everything is taken care of", the Scotsman provides his explanation smoothly.
