Behind the Lines

As they floated down Alan realised he was drifting away from the others. He turned the chute and increased his weight. The effect was not the one he expected as he hurtled to the ground in panic he reduced his weight to a feather which only created more problems as he was pulled upward with a jolt that rattled his teeth.

It was the one time he envied Charles’s perfect night sight.

Terry wasn’t just hanging beneath his chute he was manipulating the control lines expertly like a concert pianist brushes the keys so he could land at a walk right beside the lanterns light.

He gave a sniff of satisfaction as he freed himself out of his parachute. Within moments the others dropped into the field well all but one that is.

Alan crashed into the trees and dropped like a stone only to pulled up with a jerk as the silk got caught on the branches. There he was dangling twenty feet from the ground.

Terry rushed from one of the team to another and helped them pack away their chutes.

As a group they dashed to where Alan hung.

“Trust you to make an entrance.” Terry hissed.

“My buckle release isn’t working.” Alan moaned as he thumped it hard.

“J…Just jiggle it.” Rex stammered.

Alan jiggled it.

“It’s not working its jammed.” Alan said as the device suddenly unclipped dropping to the ground.

With a midair twist he dropped lightly as a feather onto his feet.

“Ta da!” He said waving as if he had done some special trick for the crowd.

“Well done.” Salina said. “Now get back up there and get your parachute down.”

“Ah yes.” Alan said before leaping back up the tree to unhook it.

A few minutes later they were back at the lamp and getting out of their boiler suits.

Underneath them was the clothes they were to wear on the mission. Terry, Charles, Alan and Selina wore the black uniform of the SS taking their hats from where they were strapped to their chests. Theo and Rex were in grey pinstriped suits and Wesley in a Catholic priests robes.

“Hello we’ve visitors.” Charles said.

Out of the undergrowth came a small group of men all armed to the teeth. Their leader turned off the lamp.

He was a grizzled looking man in his late fifties, early sixties.

“Your transport is waiting for you on the road. Your cases and documents are inside.” The man said in a thick French accent before turning to those in a German uniform. “Your vehicle is a kamph waggon, a half track.” He turned to Theo and Wes. “Your car is a Peugeot and I am afraid your vehicle is a bicycle Holy Father. It’s over there by that tree.

Terry had turned his head slightly and was listening intently. He nodded to himself and gave a smile of satisfaction.

“Hello Unknown Soldier.” He said in English. “British secret agent from Liverpool. It was either you or the American secret agent, the American Commando, but there was just that very slight flattening of the vowels that gave you away. Like that girls knees by the bicycles are never the knees of a fourteen year old, but would fit perfectly a twenty year old.”

The man swore.

“No one else would notice, its just my ear can pick these things up.” Terry tried to explain. “I can’t help it I do it automatically.”

“I should keep such speculations to yourself. You really are Mr Terrific.” The cells leader said in English before carrying on in French. “It’s time for you to leave. Good luck to you all. You will see me once more and that is if the mission is successful.”

“Understood and thank you.” Terry turned to his group and commanded in German. “Team move out.”

With that he led his group out of the field in the direction indicated aware of the other group making toward their transport.

The dice were in motion and who knew how they would fall.

Terry was just about to lead his group out on to the woodland path when Charles grabbed his arm. Up ahead he could see two motor bikes and side cars pulling up beside the half track. The sidecars had machine guns attached. The four soldiers dismounted and began to look around.

Terry signalled to Salina to circle round to the other side of the path. She nodded and slipped away.

Terry waited a heart beat before leading the men out onto the path while fumbling with the buttons of his fly giving the impression that he had just had a wee. The men were laughing and talking animatedly.

Terry did a classic double take as he pretended to have spotted the soldiers for the first time.

“What is this?!” He bellowed.

The four German soldiers shot upright as they took in the groups black SS uniforms. They hastily saluted Terry and Charles who gave a lazy reply.

“We are awaiting for an explanation Sergeant?” Terry said haughtily.

“Excuse me Sir. We were patrolling this stretch of road when we came across your vehicle. There has been resistance activity in this area and we heard a lone British aircraft.” He petered out under the hero’s unwavering stares.

“Who is your commanding officer?” Charles asked in a voice that didn’t brook any delay in answering.

“Captain Mertz sir.”

“Captain Mertz. Thirty four years old, two son’s.” Terry reeled off thanks to his photographic memory. “No connection to the Junkers families.”

The sergeants face palled further.

“I’m in charge of security as well as being the Doctors assistant. It pays to know who is loyal to the leader.” Terry turned to face the small corps of trees from which Selina had appeared adjusting her clothes. “Sorry for the primitive conditions for your ablutions my dear.”

The soldiers stood open mouthed at the sight of such beauty.

“Get on with it man!” Charles barked.

“Yes sir. If you will resume your seat please.”

“We have been waiting for you girl.” Charles growled.

“Yes sir, sorry sir.”

“Lieutenant get back on board as we are leaving.” Terry said abruptly as they re-embarked. Charles and Terry sat at the back whilst Salina sat beside Alan at the front.

“You four can escort us to the town.”

The four soldiers rapidly got on the motor bike and side car combinations and took station. One in front and one behind.

The halftrack roared into life and little column of vehicles pulled away.

As they disappeared out of sight the Unknown Soldier stepped out onto the road with his No two and several resistance workers.

“Do you know there’s a chance I may have underestimate them. They just might pull it off.” He murmured to his second in command.

The old man said nothing he just spat on the ground.

The black SS uniforms with its deadhead insignia was surprisingly effective at stopping people asking to many awkward questions. Charles’s Iron Cross didn’t come a miss either.

An hour later they were pulling into the cobbled town square to come to a stop in front of the impressive but crumbling town hall.

The lead motorcyclist leaped off his machine and shot up the stairs and into the building at a gallop.

A couple of seconds later he reappeared with a artillery captain who was hastily adjusting his clothes, Captain Mertz. With a quick hand over his hair to slick it down he came to a stop by the halftrack.

He gave a brisk salute which was replied just as swiftly in return.

“Forgive me Sir but may I see your papers? Purely routine I assure you.” The young officer requested.

“No it is not routine it must never be routine. It is the main way of finding the traitorous resistance.” Charles fumed.

“I wasn’t implying that we don’t take it seriously, on the contrary we do, it’s just that we were expecting you and there isn’t any chance you were resistance workers.” The officer quailed under Charles’s cold stare.

“I should stop there Captain before you dig the hole to deep.” Terry advised.

Selina passed over the required documents. This was the first big test, if the forgers have got it wrong they will know in a few moments. The four of them tensed up ready to defend themselves and escape whilst trying to look calm and untroubled.

“Yes they seem in order. Thank you.” The captain passed the papers back.

“I trust you have made the necessary arrangements for our stay. We need rooms near the Blitzen Research Complex.”

“Yes Sir we got the list of your requirements a week ago but not your arrival date.

The complex is just two miles from here hidden under the trees and the camouflage netting. You take the middle road out of the square on the south side Sir. As for rooms? We have taken over the town hall as our centre of operations. On the top floor are a suit of rooms so staff could stay overnight if need be.”

“Like when our glorious army turning up.” Charles said with fervour pinning the captain with an icy look.

“Am I right to assume we will be staying in those rooms whilst we are here?” Terry asked.

“Yes sir.” The captain would do anything to get out from under that stare.

He was about to lead them in when Charles noticed a Peugeot pulling up at the café opposite.

The Captain misunderstood his interest.

“The Café Reynard has rooms but they are very basic and not suitable for you.”

Charles sniffed.

“Be that as it may Captain I want to know who and what those gentlemen in that car are?” He pinned the Captain with his icy stare once more. “Preferably now not later.”

The Captain clicked this fingers to get the attention of the Lieutenant that was lazing by the door. The young man doubled over got his orders and with a gulp as he recognised the SS uniforms dashed away on his mission.”

Charles gave a sniff of disapproval.

“If you will follow me I’ll show you to your rooms.” He was in a cold sweat. These SS personnel held the power of life and death over everyone and from what he had heard they often used it. “As I was saying Sir’s, madam. We seconded the building as the base of our operations.”

“I trust these rooms are for the other ranks?” Terry asked.

“Yes these rooms are for the NCOs’. It’s their mess and behind that is their sleeping quarters.”

Terry watched the panic in the room as the occupants tried to come to attention.

“Scharführer, these will be your quarters after you have brought the luggage up.” Terry told Alan urbanely.

“Yes sir.” Alan replied briskly.

The next floor was the lieutenant’s quarters and the rooms that Charles and the others would be using as a medical centre and finally the top floor where the bedrooms were.

The largest of the rooms had a four poster bed, a large dresser and a shop keepers dummy on which hung the Mayoral robes.

“This is suitable.” Charles declared airily. ” Scharfuher bring up the cases.”

“Yes sir.” Alan saluted and was about to disappear when the Captain stopped him.

“There is a goods elevator at the back on the building. It isn’t big enough for you to ride in but it should be ideal for the luggage.”

“Thank you sir.” Alan with this departed leaving the officers alone.

The next room was a fair size with a laundry press and dressing table on which sat a group of perfumes. Salina had that one. The third one was much smaller, almost a box room and the décor was obviously masculine.

The Captain noticed some of his own clothes that he had missed when he cleared it out when he heard Charles was coming. He now slept down stairs having kicked one of his Lieutenants out, forcing them to share the same room.

They all collected back in Charles’s room.

“Captain is their a decent restaurant near here?” He asked.

“Yes sir. There is the Liberty and the Boar both are excellent I hear and both quite expensive.

“Good book a table at the Boar. I would like yourself and your two Lieutenant’s join us. I will pay.”

“I am afraid only one of my Lieutenants is available the other is on duty at the complex.” The Captain apologised missing Charles’s gaff. How did he know he had two Lieutenants if they had never been their before.

Realising what had happened Terry rapidly stepped into the breach.

“Which Lieutenant, will be joining us. The first Lieutenant Smitt or Second Lieutenant Wien.” Terry smiled at the Captain. “We have all your details on file including your enlistment medical notes. It pays to be through.”

The Captain couldn’t help himself, he actually shivered.

“The First Lieutenant sir.” He replied.

“Good. Have you dress uniforms?” Terry asked as Alan brought in the first load of cases.

“Yes sir.”

“In an hours time we will meet you and you Lieutenant down stairs. Arrange a vehicle to take us if you would please. Scharfuher once the cases have been delivered you will not be needed for the rest of the evening.” He turned back to the captain. “You are dismissed Captain.”

Soon it was just the four hero’s left in the room.

Charles was about to speak when he noticed Terry’s warning gesture.

Terry prowled around the room searching every nook and cranny, even behind the paintings. With a sigh of relief he rejoined the other three.

“There’s no spy equipment so we should be able to talk freely but just in case.” Terry pulled out a small square device and plugged it into the wall socket and switched it on. It produced a low barely audible hum. “The Bat made it for us it should block all listening devices.”

Charles smiled and his face relaxed.

“It seems gentlemen and madam that we have achieved our first objective.” He told them.

“Are we going out tonight to do a check of their security arrangements at the centre?” Salina asked, obviously itching to go out.

“No not tonight. The reason is simple whether we know it or not we are tired after the ordeals of the day which could lead to a mistake. Tomorrow we will get a better view of their numbers when we inoculate them with water.” Charles explained. “Besides tonight we have other fish to fry. Salina flirt with the Lieutenant tonight. Terry work on the Captain and see if he lets slip anything. Alan join the NCOs and start spreading rumours about us.”

“And you?” Alan asked.

“Me. Oh I’m going to have a meaningful conversation with Rot Wang, when he turns up, about his work.”

Later on they met together to cover any last questions before going down to meet the Captain and his Lieutenant.

The two men wore tight black uniforms which showed of their athletic form clearly. Salina wore a dove grey military nurses uniform.

“You look lovely my dear.” Terry said.

“You don’t look to bad yourself Major.” She replied with a sultry grin.

Down stairs they met up with the Captain and a very nervous young lieutenant. Though they too were in dress uniforms they looked shabby in comparison.

Alan stood by the door of the large limousine that was waiting for them. He opened the door for Salina to enter.

As the car pulled away he spied two clergy men on rickety bicycles.

“Good Evening Father.” He called out to them.

“Good Evening to you Sergeant.” Wesley called back before vanishing after the car.

The pieces were in motion but there was one more task to do and it will need all of his guile.

The NCOs mess room was a large room with fine landscape paintings on the wall and wicker furniture scattered around.

The soldiers for the most part were a friendly lot greeting with handshakes and pats on the back, but there was one, a mountain of a man who stared at him with open hostility.

Alan crossed to the fireplace to warm his hands allowing him a chance to appraise the man who stood the other side of the fire.

He was a Sergeant Major and a bully as was evident by the way the others tried to avoid his eye, and the way his two acolytes were sucking up to him.

Deliberately ignoring the man Alan crossed to where there were coat hooks for your outside coats.

Alan knew that physical violence was coming and decided to get it over and done with.

“What have we here, a dwarf?” The man growled.

“Easy Kurt.” A young corporal said trying to defuse the situation.

“Shut up or you’ll get what he’s going to get.”

“Sorry.” Alan replied without turning round. “I thought you were talking about your lack of intelligence mind you that would be insulting Dwarf’s who probably have more brains in their little finger than you have in your whole bloated body.”

Kurt roared in anger and charged at him in an attempt to pin Alan to the wall.

With perfect timing Alan leaped up as Kurt grabbed him and ran up the wall. With a twist and reducing his weight he went over Kurt’s head and landed behind him. Increasing his weight by four times he slammed Kurt into the wall. The acolytes jumped him, one armed with a knife.

Alan grabbed and twisted the knife users arm, disarming him and sending him crashing into his compatriot, sending both to the floor.

Alan spun round just in time as Kurt threw a powerful punch at him.

Alan grabbed his wrist and ducked under the blow. With expert judo skill he sent Kurt flying through the air into his acolytes as they were trying to get to their feet.

Kurt regained his feet and circled Alan cautiously before launching powerful blows at his rival.

Alan, with his weight varying like a yoyo, dodged the blows and using all his boxing skill handed hammer blows himself. Suddenly Kurt’s knees buckled and his guard dropped allowing Alan a perfect uppercut that laid the man out.

At the door was the Second Lieutenant who had called in for a thermos of coffee before going out again.

“At last our Sergeant Major has met his match and given me something to charge him with. Gentlemen take the three of then down to the basement and lock them in the laundry for now, and I don’t think I need to tell you of what happens if they should resist.” He turned to face Alan. “You are a quite magnificent fighter Scharfuher. I look forward to talking with you , perhaps you could give me some pointers.

Clean this place up it looks like a pigsty.”

With a nod to Alan he was gone.

As the Sergeant Major was dragged away the room broke out with cheering.

A young Under Sergeant crossed over with an earthenware bottle and a glass.

He poured a drop and passed it to Alan.

Alan raised it up in salute to the cheering crowd and downed it in one. It burnt like liquid fire down his throat and into his gut.

“What is it?” Alan asked when he recovered the power of speech a second or two later.

“Slivovitz. I liberated it from a Poles body when we were in Warsaw.”

“It is good. Thank you.” He handed back the glass and took of his greatcoat to reveal his black SS uniform underneath as he hung it up.

The cheering stopped instantly as if they had all lost their voices.

Alan made a point of looking around them as if he was trying to find out who had entered the room that had caused everyone to shut up.

He laughed and said in the way of reassurance.

“Don’t get put off by the uniform. I’m just a driver and the old Doctor’s bodyguard. He’s in the SS so I had to be as well. We are here to give you lot a medical and woe betide you if he finds evidence of clap, venereal disease.” Alan noticed the upright piano in the corner.

“Can anyone play that?” He asked pointing at it.

“Kurt doesn’t like it.” One of the corporals said.

“Well he isn’t here is he.”

“True. What would you like me to play?”

“How about Lilly Marlene. We could all be able to sing that.”

A couple of the others urged the corporal on.

Soon the mess room was full of the joyous sound of people singing. Alan was in with them so he could now start spreading the rumours.

Alan caught the Under Sergeant by the elbow.

“What’s your name?” He asked.

“Heinz.”

“Well Heinz could you show me to where I can stow my stuff and get my head down for a few ours before the old boy needs me again.”

Heinz led him through into a pair of interconnecting rooms. The first was full of bunk beds for the lower NCOs, the second had beds in for the sergeants. Heinz led him to where a section had been separated from the rest of the room by hastily erected wooded panels.

“This is Kurt’s space.” Heinz said for some reason embarrassed.

“This will do me fine, after all it’s not as if he will be using it.”

Alan put his rucksack and case on the bed.

“Before I was seconded to this job I was quite happily training men as a PI, a Physical Training Instructor, in the art of hand to hand combat.” Alan explained as he changed from his dusty clothes to a set of fatigues. “Instead I’m ferrying a group of Doctors around.” He sighed.

Stripped to the waist Alan caused Heinz to stop and stare in amazement. Alan’s body was beautifully muscled with a six pack of a abdomen.

Heinz thought to himself. It’s no wonder Kurt had lost.

A little later back in the main room Heinz was spreading the news to his colleagues and Alan felt a thrill of realisation. These weren’t monsters as he had been taught they were just like him, normal young men trying their best to survive this man made disaster that is called war.