SS Outpost

By: Jeff B
(© 2012 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Drausendorf, Germany – March, 1942 – Schutzstaffel - Sicherheitsdienst (SS-SD) field post.  Small SS-SD squad in commandeered farm house 2 kilometers from border with Poland in far South-Eastern Germany.

Squad Members:

Hauptsturmführer (Captain) Wilhelm Becker (33 Years old)

Untersturmführer (Lieutenant) Peter Schiller (29 Years old)

Oberscharführer (Sergeant) Dieter Wolf (25 Years old)

Scharführer (Corporal) Alexander Hagen (22 Years old) & Jan Richter (20 Years old)

5-man squad assigned to apprehend, question and either detain or transfer to Berlin, German and Polish underground members involved in intelligence gathering and sabotage of the German Reich.

KAPITEL EINS

(CHAPTER 1)

My name is Wilhelm Becker from Bremen, Germany, where I was a police detective for 6 years after graduating from the technical university in Dresden with a degree in Jurisprudence.  I joined the Nazi party in 1936, and applied for a commission in the Sicherheitsdienst (security branch) of the SS in November, 1938.  I was sure my experience as a police detective — with several successful arrests and convictions — could be utilized more effectively serving the State.  After being accepted and given the rank of Untersturmführer (Lieutenant), I was assigned my first duties working with two senior officers in the Koblenz SS-SD office.  As the newest and lowest ranking officer I was given the minor-league cases.  I spent 2 years in this office, solving and making arrests in 8 out of every 10 cases they assigned to me.  By the end of my two-year stay there, I was promoted to Obersturmführer (1st. Lieutenant) and was sent to Bamburg to be the second in command of the SS-SD office there.  I was to stay in Bamburg for another 2 years, finally achieving my current rank of Hauptsturmführer (Captain) and being given this assignment; commanding a small squad on the Polish border to capture underground members responsible for several sabotage incidents in the last 4 months.

My personal life was non-existent; I was devoted to my work and my country.  I had figured out at an early age that I wasn't like my friends and fellow-students; I was schwul (homo), and with the Nazi's rise to power it was more prudent than ever that I keep that part of myself hidden.  By the time I went to university at 19 I was still a virgin; only having the nerve to glance occasionally at fellow students in the locker-room.  University proved to be an eye-opening experience for me, both academically and personally.  I was to discover that there were others like me who enjoyed the company of men; and I was a willing participant in exploring that side of myself with them.  During my 4 years at school I was involved with at least 15 different men; some of them just for a quick blow-job in the restroom, others for a 2- or 3-month relationship involving nothing more than heated sexual encounters.  It seemed to be agreed upon by all involved that this wasn't love; it was sexual gratification and nothing more.  I was as willing as they; there's nothing like the hormones of a man in his early twenties, and I had never allowed myself to develop any kind of feelings for them.  After graduating and moving back to Bremen I threw myself into my new work and they had all become nothing more than fond memories.

Once I was back in my hometown, I knew I had to curb any sexual feelings; the risk was just too great.  And after the Röhm-Putsch (Night of the Long Knives) on 1 July 1934, I definitely wasn't about to risk being discovered.  I had heard that several of the SA leaders and their male subordinates had been found in bed together in the hotel; and either shot in their beds or taken out back and shot.  I had no way of knowing if they'd been shot becuase of being in bed together or for political reasons, but I wasn't willing to take that chance.  After joining the SS in November, 1938, I knew I had to keep that part of myself well-hidden.  The SS being the elite force in Nazi Germany, and after having to prove my German heritage going back over 200 years, interviews with friends, family and school-mates, and going through countless interviews on my own, I had become an expert at hiding that part of myself.  By the time all was said and done, I had gone 7 years without having sex.  I did manage to hook up with a young man in Bamburg for a short, 30-minute encounter, while I was stationed there.  Even during my basic training I had managed to keep myself under control; though with great difficulty, being surrounded by incredibly beautiful men all of the time.  I had asked myself if that's why I had joined the SS in the first place; it was kind of a best-of-the-best meat-market.  I later decided it was a 50/50 split; meat-market and proud German serving his country in the elite forces.

After the War had started, I began to quesiton everything that had been promised to the German people.  I had given my personal aliegance to Hitler when I joined the SS, but that was before the War, when we all thought he was the man to save us.  He had managed to bring us out of the worst depression in the country's history, he had created countless jobs and social programs, and had even managed to restore pride to the German people.  I never agreed with his views on Jewish people, having had several Jewish friends while I was growing up, and seeing them as no different than anyone else.  And definitely not his views on homosexuality, but I allowed myself to believe he would lead us back to greatness in spite of those things.  As the War progressed and I heard about the horrible things that were happening I started to question my own role in this new Germany.  I had only ever killed one man before; and that had been a running suspect when I was a police detective in Bremen.  I still had never fired a shot at another human being as an SS officer.  Maybe I was just mis-leading myself.  For in university and my work as a detective in Bremen, I had convinced myself that I was nothing more than a policeman doing his duty and protecting my fellow citizens, but as an SS officer I was going to be expected to be as ruthless and un-caring as my fellows.

My choice of being nothing more than a State sponsored detective in a Para-military black uniform had given me blinders as to the real nature of the organization of which I was a member.  I was doing the exact same thing as an SS officer that I had done in Bremen; I was a cop, and I had been able to distance myself from the uglier side of the service.  Now that I was going to be in a command of a counter-insurgency/counter-intelligence mission, the odds that I would have to use deadly force just because it was available to me were going to increase dramatically.  I didn't meet the other 4 members of the squad until the day before we left for our assignment.  I had no idea what kind of men they were; if they were the trigger-happy SS soldiers that were becoming legend.  I couldn't afford to have any of them, from the lowest corporal to my second-in-command ever question my loyalty or willingness to perform my duties, no matter what that entailed.  And I could never allow any of them to suspect my homosexuality either.  As it turned out, that last part would be more difficult to accomplish than the first.

Monday, 9 March 1942.  Berlin, Germany.  SS-SD Commander's office.  New Reich Chancellery, 2nd Floor; one floor beneath Himmler's office.

The five members of my little squad are meeting each other for the first time, while being briefed by Oberführer (Senior Colonel) Eckart.  We still haven't had a chance to speak with each other, or even introduce ourselves, but before the meeting started I was given a bio on each of the members of my squad.  Combining that with personal observation, I'll describe each; starting with myself.

Hauptsturmführer (Captain) Wilhelm Becker, a 33-year-old from Bremen, Germany.  He prefers to be called 'Willy' by his friends and family.  Six feet tall, 175 pounds, close cropped blond hair, blue eyes.  No scars or tattoos.  Clean shaven with little to no upper body hair.  Well-developed leg muscles; though shorter than average inseam considering height; height greater from waist up.  He has a flat stomach with fairly well- developed pecs and arms.  He likes to exercise and work-out 3 or 4 times a week; though leg muscles come more from walking and running at work.  College educated, police detective with 8 years on the Bremen police force; (2 years as an officer and 6 as a detective), and 4 years with the SS.  Mother and father are both living in Bremen.  One younger brother, Karl, 30, also in Bremen, works at an armaments factory.  Never married and no children.

Untersturmführer (Lieutenant) Peter Schiller, a 29-year-old from Karlsruhe, Germany.  Height: 6' 1", 177 pounds, close cropped dirty blond hair, blue-grey eyes.  No tattoos.  He has 1 small scar on his chest from a childhood accident.  Clean shaven with slightly furry chest and treasure trail.  He has an average amount of hair on his arms and lower legs.  Well-developed body from working on family farm.  Peter worked on the family farm until joining the Heer (Army) at 24.  After spending 4years in the Army as a counter-insurgence specialist he applied for the SS and was accepted and given a commission.  He's been in the SS for 8 months.  Mother, father, 1 younger brother, Paul, 24, serving in the Army and stationed in France; and 1 older sister, Petra, 31, still living on family farm in Karlsruhe.  Never married and no children.

Oberscharführer (Sergeant) Dieter Wolf, a 25-year-old from Kassel, Germany.  Friends and comrades call him 'Wolfy'.  Height: 5' 11", 180 pounds, close cropped light-brown hair, brown eyes.  No tattoos.  He has 2 small scars; 1 on right leg 3" above his knee, the other on his right wrist, both from shrapnel during Poland's invasion on the first day.  He is clean-shaven with slightly hairy chest and stomach; average hair on arms and legs.  He is a slightly stocky/beefy man; though no fat at all.  Was a member of Hitler Youth in its early days and joined the SS the day he turned 20.  He has been in a cavalry division since joining, until a month ago, when he decided he might live longer if he weren't constantly being shot at.  His mother and father are living in Kassel.  No siblings.  Never married and no children that he knows of.

Scharführer (Corporal) Alexander Hagen, a 22-year-old from Munich, Germany.  He prefers to be called Alex or 'Hage' by everyone.  Height: 6', 170 pounds, short blond hair, blue-green eyes.  No tattoos or scars.  Clean-shaven.  Only body hair is crotch and lower legs.  Lithe, swimmer's build with strong arms.  He joined the Hitler Youth when he was 13 years old, and like Dieter, joined the SS the day of his 20th birthday.  Has been in a cipher unit until 2 weeks ago, when he was promoted and his commander thought he'd be good at counter-intelligence work.  Mother and father live in Munich, where his father is a secondary school teacher; his mother a housewife.  He has 2 younger brothers, Simon 16 and Ulrich 19; Simon in schooled at home, and Ulrich in the Kriegsmarine (Navy) serving on U-323 in the North Atlantic.  Never married and no children.

Scharführer (Corporal) Jan Richter, a 20-year-old from Stuttgart, Germany.  Height: 6', 168 pounds, close-cropped blond hair, blue eyes.  No tattoos or scars.  Clean-shaven, though wants to grow a mustache and not allowed.  Light-blond chest hair and Schatzsuche ("treasure trail").  He has somewhat hairy legs and arms, but not a hair on his ass, and very little pubic hair.  He has a pretty average build but with very strong legs from running and cross-country while in school.  He was enrolled in the Hitler Youth by his grandfather, General Major Jannick Richter, when he was 12.  Joined the SS just 2 months ago and came out of training with his current rank because of who his grandfather is.  This is his first assignment, and his only military type interest seems to be sabotage work so he was assigned to me.  Hopefully I can turn that into preventing it, not promoting it.  His father was killed 2 months ago during the initial invasion of Russia and his mother lives with his grandparents in Stuttgart.  He has one younger sister, Eva, 17, also living with his mother and grandparents.  Never married and no children; though professes to having 4 girlfriends at any given time.

Oberführer Eckart walked into his office and all of us snapped to attention, and as one voice, barked, "Heil, Hitler!" and gave the Nazi salute.

"Heil, Hitler.  Be seated.  Captain, you've had a chance to meet the members of your team; any questions?"

"No, Sir," I crisply replied, taking my seat on what looked like a monks' bench.

"Good.  You leave tonight at 2230 hours for Drausendorf; arriving at 0500 tomorrow morning.  A farmhouse, approximately 2 km from the border has been secured for your use.  When the train arrives in Drausendorf you will be met by a local agent and taken to the farm.  Once there, you will set up and start your investigations.  Any questions?"

"Supplies, Sir?"

"Everything you should require is already in place.  Weapons have been secured under the floor of the barn.  If you need anything further, send a coded message to your contact in Berlin.  This is not an under-cover op; the locals will know you're there within a day; there's no point in trying to hide it.  However, I expect you to follow all necessary protocols and directives regarding security.  You will be in uniform, but I expect you all to maintain a very low profile.  You're there to obtain information and find and deal with suspects; not to parade around town."

"Yes, Sir."

"Any further questions, Captain?"

"No, Sir."

"Dismissed."

All 5 of us jumped up, saluted and barked out another 'Heil, Hitler' before turning around and leaving his office.  Once in the corridor we were met by an SS Sergeant, who served as our chauffeur until our train departed later that night.  We followed him down the huge staircase to the front of the building, and down to the street.  We all got in the back of the truck and were driven to an apartment 2 blocks away from the hauptbahnnhof (main train station) where we would catch our train.  Our bags with our gear and uniforms were already in the apartment when we walked in.  We had 3 hours to kill before leaving.

Sergeant Wolf was the first to break the silence after we'd walked into the apartment.  "Hauptsturmführer, Oberscharführer Dieter Wolf; is there anything you would like us to do while we wait for the train?"

"No, Oberscharführer; all we can do is wait until it's time to leave.  I would like to get some dinner before we go; we all know there won't be any food on the train."

"Yes, Hauptsturmführer.  I saw a small restaurant about 8 blocks away when we were driving here; maybe they have a good food."  He gave me a lopsided smile.

I gave him a small smile in return.  "Let's hope so, Oberscharführer.  I guess we can take this time to get to know each other a little; since we'll be living and working together for the foreseeable future."  I held my hand out to him.  "Captain, Wilhelm Becker; it's nice to have you with us, Sergeant Wolf.  I was very impressed by your service record.  You're the veteran here so I trust I can rely on your experience when I need it."

Dieter took my hand and shook it firmly.  "Thank you, Sir!  I will do whatever I can to assist you, Sir.  I've heard of your work in the police and the SS-SD; very impressive, Sir."

"Thank you, Sergeant."  I turned to my Lieutenant and hold out my hand.  "Lieutenant Schiller, Captain Wilhelm Becker."  He shook my hand and gave me a small smile.  "Your counter-insurgency experience will be most invaluable to me.  I look forward to talking to you more about some plans I have.  As my Second, I trust that you will also be able to deal with some of the administrative tasks.  I look forward to working with you, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Sir.  I, too, have heard of you and your work in the SD; most impressive.  I would be honored to discuss tactics with you at your convenience, Sir."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."  I turned to Corporal Hagen and offered him my hand to shake.  He took it with a smile and pumped it like we were long-lost friends.  "Corporal Hagen, Captain Wilhelm Becker; it's a pleasure to meet you.  I was pleased to read in your file that you're a top-rate cipher; even being recommended to me by your last commander.  I look forward to working with you.  I think we'll make early progress in tracking down their communications with your help."

"Thank you, Sir!  It's a pleasure to meet you as well.  I look forward to serving with you.  I won't let you down, Sir!"  He smiled at me again.

"I'm sure you won't, Corporal Hagen."  I returned his smile and turned to Corporal Richter, holding my hand to him as I did so, offering a small grin.  "Corporal Richter, Captain Wilhelm Becker.  It's good to have you with us.  I hear you have a keen interest in sabotage.  I'll be picking your brain on the best ways to discover it early and prevent it."

He returned my grin while shaking my hand.  "Thank you, Sir.  I'll do whatever I can to assist in this operation.  We have to protect the Fatherland at all costs, and I'm honored to have been chosen for this assignment.  Thank you, Sir!"

"Thank you, Corporal Richter."  I stepped back, a little over a meter, so I could look at all of them at one time, more or less.  "Gentlemen, we've been ordered by our Führer to find and stop the bastards that are leaking information and committing acts of sabotage.  It is possible that some of those involved are German citizens; German citizens that are committing acts of treason.  I want to know right now if that will be a hindrance in the performance of your duties."

To a man they all said, "No, Sir!"

"Very well.  I have read all of your personnel files and I'm very pleased with the men I've been given for my first command.  I did have some say in who was chosen, but I was presented with you 4 men from the beginning, and really didn't have to think long before making my decision.  I have a pretty relaxed command style and I want everyone here to know that I'm always open to ideas and suggestions.  When we are off-duty or just at our home base I want a relaxed atmosphere that promotes sharing of ideas and tactics, as well as relaxing the mind and body.  However, while on duty, I expect and demand your very best.  You are to act like the professionals you are when we're working; at all times.  As the Oberführer pointed out, we are there to do a job — not to prance around town like little war-lords.  I agree that we should keep as low a profile as possible.  We will stay out of people's way unless necessary for an investigation, as much as possible.  I am a detective by nature and vocation, and I take my duties and obligations very seriously.  None of us knows how long we are going to be there, but I want our time there to be as productive as possible.  When we're working; we work.  When we're off duty, we can be ourselves and enjoy each others' comradeship.  Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Good.  Now, if you, Sergeant Wolf, would be kind enough to lead us to this restaurant you spotted, we can get some food in us."

"Jawohl, meine Kapitän!" he grandly bowed and gestured toward the door.  ("Yes, Sir, my Captain.")  A snicker here, and one there, were heard from the others.

We all filed out of the door, following Dieter to the restaurant he'd spotted from the back of the truck.  One look at him would tell you that he enjoyed food, and could probably spot a restaurant from 1000 meters away.  We arrived at the eatery and were promptly shown to a table by the middle-aged woman working the till.  She pointed to the black-board on the wall showing the menu.  I guess with the war going on, their usual menu wasn't available.  We had 5 choices of food, plus beer, wine, water, tea or coffee.  Corporal Hagen looked at me with a questioning grin.

"Yes, Corporal Hagen?"

"Sir, are we allowed to have a beer?"

I thought for a second.  "While we're sitting a kilometer away from Herr Himmler's office I am going to say no, not a good plan.  Once we're in Drausendorf I don't see a problem with it; as long as you're off duty and you keep it reasonable.  I don't want a bunch of drunken soldiers partying all night long."

"Yes Sir; understood."  He grinned.

"Order whatever you want gentlemen; it's on the Reichsführer-SS tonight."

They all smiled at the comment and Lieutenant Schiller looked at me.  "Thank you, Sir.  That's very generous of the Herr Reichsführer."

"Yes, it is.  I was told before our meeting that I was to get you men fed before we leave, and it was being taken care of."

The same middle-aged woman returned to our table to take our orders.  After making our food selections and 4 of us having coffee, and Corporal Richter was having water, she went to the kitchen.  I was starting to wonder if this was a one-woman operation; but she returned in a few seconds to bring food to another table.  The place wasn't very busy, but then it was after 8, and she probably just wanted to go home.  The food smelled good though and within 10 minutes she brought us our order; never offering more drinks, or even a smile for that matter.  I didn't really blame her; I'm guessing she'd probably been here since early this morning, and just wanted to sleep.  Who knows, maybe she didn't like the SS; though we were wearing standard field-grey uniforms; not the black that so defined the evil SS.

We finished our meal shortly before 2100; all of us enjoying the food and leaving nothing on our plates.  We had talked a little during dinner, but mostly about theories of what we would find in Drausendorf; like a dilapidated farmhouse with missing walls and a dry well or over-flowing outhouse 300 meters from the back door.  We had a few laughs over the mental images we conjured up, but everyone was still a little tense around each other, and more so with me.  We left the restaurant and walked back to the apartment; arriving spot-on at 2100.  There was a man, Gestapo by the appearance of him, standing in front, looking like he was waiting for us.  When we approached, he walked up to me.

"Hauptsturmführer Becker?"

"Yes; and you are…?"

"Captain Haydn, Gestapo.  I have a message for you from HQ.  Your train departure has been updated.  There is another train leaving in 20 minutes.  I have a vehicle standing by to take you and your men to the station."

"Thank you, Captain; but that won't be necessary; we're only 2 blocks away from the station.  I'm sure my men and I are more than capable of walking that far.  Thank you for the updated information however."

"Very well, Hauptsturmführer.  I will inform them that you will be on the train within minutes.  Have a safe journey."

"Thank you, Captain.  Good evening."

Even though we were basically in the same field, police work, I had always been leery of the men in the dark suits.  I guess every German was to some extent; they had far too much power; even more so than I had as an SS officer.  We gave each other a 'Heil, Hitler', and my men and I went upstairs to get our bags.  We arrived at the platform within 6 minutes and boarded the train.  Everyone seemed to find seats in the same general area; though leaving the one next to me empty; at least until Corporal Richter finally got his bag stowed.  He looked around the carriage, cringed a little, and then looked at the empty seat next to me.  I looked at him, smiled and pointed to the seat.

"Take a seat, Herr Corporal; I promise not to have you arrested for sitting next to an officer."  I gave him a cheesy grin when I finished.

He gave me a shy smile and sat down, stiffly, hugging the outside edge.  "Thank you, Sir."

"Relax, Corporal; we're going to be seat-mates for the next 7 hours or so; you might want to grab some rest.  And if you fall asleep like that you're going to fall into the aisle."

He smirked.  "Thank you, Sir.  I just didn't know the protocol for this situation."

"Well the protocol for the next 7 or so hours is, we're 2 men, comrades-in-arms, sharing a train to the same destination.  The primary protocol is to get some rest before we get there; and to do that you're going to have to relax a little.  I promise not to bite you or shove you out into the aisle if you'll promise the same.  And if one of us ends up asleep on the other's shoulder, the idea is to sleep and not worry about it."

He smirks again.  "Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir.  I promise not to bite or shove as well."

"That's all anyone can ask.  You can also feel free to engage me in conversation before I fall asleep.  As I said, I want all of us to be able to talk freely and share ideas.  That has to begin with all of you relaxing a little around me.  I promise not have anyone shot for starting a conversation with me or telling me what's on their mind.  I consider myself superior to the rest of you in rank only.  You all bring something valuable to this mission.  Understood?"

He smiled.  "Yes, Sir.  I appreciate your candor; I feel more relaxed already."

I smiled back at him.  "Good; now bring your arm in before someone takes it off walking up the aisle."

He smirked again, then smiled, bringing his arm onto his leg.

The train began pulling out of the station about 15 minutes later and I hoped that once we were out of Berlin, and the ear-piercing whistle wouldn't be sounding every 30 seconds, so that I could try to sleep.  Twenty minutes later we were out of the city, and probably cruising at 65 to 70 KPH.  I hadn't heard the whistle for a few minutes, so I moved around a little, trying to get comfortable, and hopefully fall asleep.  I finally got in a position that might have allowed me to sleep, when my seatmate suddenly asked me something.

"Sir, do you need me to move any so you can get more comfortable?"

"No, thank you; I think I finally did it; sorry if I disturbed you."

"Not at all, Sir."

"Goodnight then, Corporal Richter."

"Goodnight, Sir."

I did manage to get some sleep; though waking up several times — like each time the train stopped or when the engineer would blow that damn whistle.  A couple of times when I woke up, I noticed I did have a blond-haired head on my shoulder.  I smiled to myself and went back to sleep without waking up my seatmate.  At 0420 I felt my shoulder being shaken and I looked up to see Lieutenant Schiller standing in the aisle, looking down at me; and definitely at Corporal Richter's head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir, but we're 5 minutes out from Drausendorf; I thought you'd like to know."

"Thank you, Lieutenant; what time is it?"

"0420, Sir."

"Wake the others, please, and have everyone get ready to get off the train as soon as it stops.  Corporal Richter, wake up!"

Schiller looked again at Richter then back at me.  "Yes, Sir, right away."  He walked back to where the others were seated.

"Huh…?"

"Time to wake up; we're 5 minutes out.  I need you awake, Jan."

He popped his head up, turned and looked at me; a mere 25 cm away from my face.  He flushed bright red and jumped back.  "I'm sorry, Sir; I'm awake!"

I chuckled.  "Don't panic, Corporal.  I told you; anything that happens while you're sleeping doesn't count.  I need you to get your gear together so we can quickly get off the train."

"Yes, Sir." 

He stood up and walked forward about 3 meters to where his bag was.  I stood up and grabbed my bag from the rack over my head; then turned around to see the rest of my squad doing the same.  The train finally came to a stop, and I bent down to look out of the window.  It looked like we had arrived in the last place on Earth.  There wasn't anything around us; at least on my side of the train. 

I turned to Wolf.  "Sergeant, are we sure this is the right place; it looks like a ghost town?"

"Yes, Sir, the conductor announced it as he walked through the carriage."

"Well, does it look any better on that side of the train?"

He bent down and looked out the window and then chuckled.  "No, Sir, it still looks like a ghost town on this side.  There's nothing more than a small building; looks like a telegraph office."

"OK.  Let's get off and look around."

We all walked forward in the carriage to the door.  The conductor was outside with a step and placed it closer to the train.  Once we were off he picked it up and got back on the train; still holding the step.  The whistle blew and the train began pulling away.  Once the train was clear I took a 360-degree look around our position.  There appeared to be a small town-center about 800 meters away; with a few houses and other buildings around it, but not much else.  The building Dieter had spoken of was 10 meters behind me; and looked just like what he said; a telegraph office.

"Kind of makes Berlin seem small by comparison."

They all laughed.

"I wonder if word was sent to our contact that we'd be arriving earlier than scheduled?"

Lieutenant Schiller turned back toward me.  "I sure hope so; we have no idea where this farm house is.  I feel very vulnerable standing out here in the middle of nothing.  I hope he gets here soon."

"Me, too, Lieutenant.  In the meantime, let's get out of plain sight.  There's a stand of trees about 50 meters over there."  I said, pointing to the left of everyone, back across the tracks.

They all nodded and we walked over to the trees, trying to find a good vantage point from which to see the telegraph office, but still be hidden.  We stood in the tree-stand for about 10 minutes, whispering to each other, when we saw a man approach the telegraph office.  He looked around him, confused, and then brought his hands up to his mouth, cupping them.

"Hallo…!"

What an idiot; shouting in the middle of the night.  "Shut up!  Who shouts in the middle of the night?"

"I do.  Who stands in the trees in the middle of the night?"

He kind of had me there.  We walked toward him.  "We were staying out of plain sight.  Are you Herr Kessler?"

"At your service, Herr Kapitän."

"Good.  I wasn't sure if you'd been informed of our new arrival time.  Thank you for coming."

"I received the telegraph 10 minutes after you left Berlin.  If you'll follow me please; my wagon is right over here.  We will be at your new home in about 15 minutes."

Home?  "Thank you, Herr Kessler.  What is the population here, anyway?  Our reports said there were about 650 people living here, and it looks more like 65."

"There are around 700 people here, actually, Herr Kapitän.  Most are farmers; the village itself houses about 240 to 250 people.  It just doesn't look like much from here.  We didn't want to be right next to the train; they have loud whistles in case you hadn't noticed."

I chuckled.  "I had, actually.  And this farm; it is away from town?"

"Yes, Herr Kapitän, it is 1½ kilometers from the border of Poland; at your commander's request."

"And the family who owns the farm; what has become of them?"

"They are Jews; we do not know."

That kind of said it all.  A part of me felt responsible for what had happened to them; maybe they'd still be safe if we weren't coming.  "Thank you, Herr Kessler."

We boarded his wagon and the two draft horses pulled us and our luggage to our destination.  It was still pitch black outside, but I could see very faint light in the East; past Poland, it seemed.  After a very bumpy ride in the back of his wagon — he didn't even have straw in back — we arrived at a fairly large farm house.  It was 2-stories and had 2 out-buildings, along with a barn about the size of the house.  It was completely dark inside; as expected, but I could see it well enough to make out some details.  There was a porch that ran across the front, about 4 meters in length, along with several trees in the front that shaded the porch.  There were 4 windows on the first level and 3 more on the second; all with planters beneath them.  I got a picture in my head of my own mother, tending the flowers in them every spring, and both of my parents sitting out on the front porch in the evening, drinking lemon-water and talking.  I also noticed there was an electric line hanging on poles overhead as we neared the house.  This was crucial; we had to have electricity for our radios and listening equipment.  We pulled up in front of the house and stopped; only 2 meters from the front porch and front door.

"The door is open, Herr Kapitän.  There is a light-switch on the wall, just inside the door to your left.  They had electricity brought here just 3 years ago.  There is indoor plumbing as well; with a leaching field about 30 meters out back."

"Thank you, Herr Kessler.  How do I contact you, if necessary?"

"At the telegraph office; I'm the telegrapher for this area.  Will there be anything else, Herr Kapitän?"

"Is there somewhere we could acquire a horse or an automobile?"

"I have a couple of horses that I can let you use.  Very few people here have automobiles; horses are more useful to us."

"Thank you, Herr Kessler.  I think one horse would be sufficient.  I will send this man to you later today to get it."  I pointed to Sergeant Wolf, our cavalry man.  "I guess that will be all, Herr Kessler.  Thank you, and good day."

"Good day, Kapitän; gentlemen…."  He snapped the reigns once on his horses and rode off; heading back the direction we had come. 

I turned to my men.  "I guess this is it.  At least our theory about a full outhouse has been refuted."  They grinned.  "Lieutenant, if you please…"  I said, pointing at the front door.

Lieutenant Schiller opened the front door and reached to his left.  A few seconds later a light came on in the front room.  We all walked through the door in single-file; looking in every direction as we entered.  I was bringing up the rear and closed the door behind me.  I was guessing the locals had held an impromptu auction when the family had been relocated.  There was nothing but a wooden table with 6 chairs, a couple of small wooden end tables, one with a lamp on it, and a wooden bookshelf in the front room.  I was guessing the table had come from the now empty dining room.  I turned to my right and walked down the small hallway.  At the end was a bedroom; that actually contained a double bed with the bedclothes still on it.  There was also a large wooden wardrobe and another bookcase.  I looked behind the door and found an upholstered chair in a paisley print.  I turned around, walking a half-meter back in the hall and opened the door to my right, turning on the light and finding a bathroom.  It had a toilet, sink and big, claw-footed tub in it; nothing else.  I turned the light off and went back to find the others.

They were standing in the kitchen, looking around and talking quietly; becoming quiet when I entered the room.  We were really going to have to talk about this.  I looked around the room and saw the usual kitchen things.  A wood burning stove, a cast iron sink, several cupboards, a big wooden table used for prep and chopping in the middle.  And hidden in the corner was an electric ice box.  That was a pleasant surprise.  I looked at it for a few seconds and nodded my head appreciatively.  I turned and went back to the front room and turned left when I reached the stairway.  When I got to the top of the stairs I found the light switch and turned it on.  There was one bare bulb in the middle of the ceiling illuminating the hall in harsh light.  Ahead of me were 3 closed doors and 1 opened one.  I walked about a meter and opened the first door on my right.

It was another bedroom; this one with a single bed and wardrobe in it; nothing else.  I reached for a light switch, finally finding it on the wall and flipped it.  The same, bare-bulb harsh light illuminated the room.  I took notice of the walls and some of the drawings that had been stenciled on them.  This had been a little boy's room.  The floor was bare with the exception of a small woven rug next to the bed.  I turned the light off and left the room; leaving the door open.  At the next door I found another bathroom; and by my estimation it was directly overhead of the one on the first floor.  Wow, 2 bathrooms; these were not poor, dirt farmers who lived here.  My family home growing up didn't even have 2 bathrooms.  This one was a duplicate of the one below it; a toilet, sink and claw-footed tub being the only thing in the room.  This one did have a mirror over the sink however.  I turned the light out, and leaving the door open,  went down the hall to the open door.  I reached in and found a switch, turning it on.

I was kind of amazed at what lay before me.  I was in another bedroom, but this one seemed to be used for storage.  There were 2 double beds stacked sideways against one wall, and a large wardrobe and a smaller duplicate of it were next to the beds.  There were 2 upholstered chairs, also in a paisley pattern in the front of the room, next to the window, and on my immediate left were a roll-top desk and wooden office chair.  On my immediate right were 4 wooden crates stacked up.  I went to the first one and lifted the top.  It contained linens; sheets, towels and hand cloths.  I picked it up and set it down to see the next.  It contained earthenware dishes; mostly cups, saucers and a few small plates.  I set it down next to the first one and opened the third.  It had more dishes in it; larger plates, about 7 of them, and 4 smaller plates, along with 2 bowls.  I lifted it and set it down next to its brethren and opened the last one.  It had additional bowls, some cooking utensils and silverware.  I wasn't sure why, but it seemed as though the house had been packed up and brought up to this room.  I left the light on and walked out, going to investigate the last room.

Upon opening the door I found the room was as full as the previous one.  I turned the light on and looked around.  More furniture; dominated by a 3-person paisley sofa.  There was another wardrobe and a single bed in here as well, not stacked, but rather setup, like it had been used just last night.  There were 2 more wooden chairs, mates to the ones in the front room at the table, and a stack of more crates.  I didn't bother looking in the crates, but just looked at the walls in the room.  This one had been a girls' room; there were butterflies and ponies stenciled on the walls, which had been colored-in in pastels.  I heard the stairs creaking behind me and turned around.  My 4 men were coming up the stairs, looking around them.  I walked back out to the hall.

"There are 3 bedrooms and another bathroom up here.  That first bedroom there, right next to you Sergeant, has a bed and wardrobe in it.  It's this room behind me and the second one that's more interesting.  They are full of additional furniture, and crates with dishes and household items in them."

Corporal Hagen spoke first.  "Whew!  We were beginning to think we'd all be sleeping on hard, wooden floors.  I thought the town's people had cleared the place out."

I smiled at him.  "I was thinking the same thing, Corporal Hagen.  I guess we kind of have a home and a base of operations to work with.  At first light I'd like to go out to the barn and outbuildings and see what our friends from HQ have left for us."

Lieutenant Schiller spoke.  "Sir, you should pick out a room that you'd like to use and we'll just take what's left over; if that's agreeable to you."

I smiled at him.  "Actually, Herr Lieutenant, I was thinking just the opposite.  You men pick out your rooms and I will take what's left over.  We will use the front room as sort of an office/living room.  We can put our radios and other equipment in the dining room and move the table into the kitchen for meals; if that's agreeable to everyone."

"But, Sir, you're the ranking officer; you get first choice."

"I'm but one of 5 men who have to work and live together; I just happen to have higher rank.  It doesn't matter to me what room I sleep in; they all appear to be about the same size anyway."

I noticed Sergeant Wolf smile at that.  "The Sergeant seems to be in agreement with me; so you men choose a room and get to work getting whatever furniture you think you'll need."

Schiller wasn't budging on this.  "But, Captain, that is not acceptable; the ranking officer has first choice."

I looked at him, then at the rest of them.  My Sergeant wasn't smiling anymore and the rest of them looked a little uncomfortable.  "Downstairs, gentlemen; now!  I want everyone seated at the table; we're having our first staff meeting."

They all turned around immediately and headed back the way they had just come.  I heard nothing but the sound of boots beating on wooden risers as we all walked downstairs.  When I walked into the front room they were scrambling for chairs around the table; leaving the head of it for me.  I walked to the side, standing about 2 meters away, thus making my 2 Corporals turn around to look at me.

"We need to get some things cleared up, because apparently nobody was listening when I spoke to all of you at the apartment in Berlin.  We are a team, gentlemen; a team that has to operate efficiently and effectively if we are to succeed in our mission.  To that end, we have to learn to live with each other, deal with each other and communicate with each other freely and openly.  Part of our job is information gathering, and we have to be able to share that information with each other or it's pointless."  I looked at them.  They were all paying rapt attention to me, but none of them holding eye contact for more than a few blinks at a time.

I snapped my fingers.  "Over here!  Can I please have your un-divided attention?  Would someone in this room like to tell me why everyone is so uncomfortable around me?"

Nobody moved or said a word.  "Would you at least tell me if this is just a ranking officer issue, or have I done something to piss you off or make you mistrust me?"

Sergeant Wolf finally answered.  "Sir, we're just showing due respect to our commander.  We trust you with our lives and you've done nothing to upset us.  I think everyone is just used to a more formal command structure, and we're not sure what to do."

"Thank you.  I understand that.  I was the bottom cog in the service for quite some time, so I know where you're coming from.  However, like I told you in Berlin, I have a very relaxed command style.  I do that because I've learned that the people you work with have to trust you and be able to talk to you; to share information and ideas without the burden of rank and protocol.  I was very successful in my duties because the people I worked for and with, were all able to communicate freely.  Information is our primary business, gentlemen, and if you're afraid to talk to me, or getting tripped up over rank and protocol, then that information isn't going to get shared and dissected properly."

I had an idea.  I knew it wasn't accepted practice in the SS officer's handbook, but I needed to have these men's full cooperation and acceptance if our mission was to be a success.  I walked over to Corporal Hagen and stuck out my hand.

"Alex, my name is Willy to my friends and co-workers; it's nice to meet you."  He turned beat red and looked down for a second.  "Alex, the only way this is going to work the way I need it to, is for all of you to see me as one of the men; only just having final decision capabilities; is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Alex… my name is Willy Becker.  I'm a police detective from Bremen, Germany, and I'm a member of the SS-SD, working with four accomplished men, trying to solve a case; it's nice to meet you, Alex."

He looked at me and smiled, taking my hand.  "I prefer Hage, if that's OK with you, Willy."

I smiled broadly.  "Hage, it is.  It is my great pleasure to meet you, Hage, and to have you on this team."  He beamed back at me.

I turned to Corporal Richter, holding out my hand and smiling at him.  "Jan, my name is Willy Becker; it's a pleasure to meet you, and to be working with you."

He smiled and took my hand.  "It's great to be working with you, too, Willy.  Thank you."  I smild back at him and walked over to Lieutenant Schiller at the end of the table.

I stuck my hand out and he took it.  "Peter, Willy Becker; it's an honor meeting you and being allowed to work with you.  I hope we can get to know each other better."

He smiled shyly at me.  "Willy … Nice meeting you, too.  I look forward to learning about some of your cases and how you solved them."

"I would like that very much, Peter.  Whenever we have some free time and you wish to talk about them, let me know.  We'll have a beer and talk about crime."  I smiled at him and he smiled back.  I released his hand and walk around to Sergeant Wolf, holding my hand out and grinning at him.  He grinned back and took my hand.

"Dieter, Willy Becker.  I was pleased when I was able to get you on this team; we need you here.  I look forward to working with you and getting to know you."

He grinned back at me.  "Willy, it's my honor to be here.  I'll take you up on that beer and crime chat anytime you're free."

"At your service, Dieter; anytime you'd like to get together and chat."

"Actually, Willy, my friends call me Wolfy."

I smild at him.  "Wolfy, it is!"

I walked back around to where I had been standing before, looking at all of them and smiling.  "Are we a little more relaxed?"

They all smiled at me and give affirmative answers.  "Good!  Anytime it's just the 5 of us; whether in this house or out in the field, if it's just us, you may call me Willy, Wilhelm or just plain Becker and I will respond.  You will continue to call Lieutenant Schiller 'Sir' or 'Lieutenant' until he tells you otherwise.  Gentlemen, we have to live and work together; we have to get rid of the tension immediately.  Now, if there's nothing more I'd like to resume having you men find a room to call home for now."

Schiller spoke up.  "Actually, if I may…?  I'm Peter to everyone here; the Captain, errrr Willy is right; if we're to do our jobs and be successful, we have to get rid of the tension first."

Wolfy spoke up.  "What about HQ?  This isn't exactly protocol."

I looked at him and smiled, and then looked at everyone else.  "Is anyone here going to tell HQ anything about this conversation, or how we deal with each other?"

They all respond negatively.  "Then, Wolfy, I don't see where there's a problem with HQ.  We're 5 men trying to do a job and live together under one roof; we're doing what's necessary to make it work."

He smiled at me.  "OK, Willy.  This is going to take some getting used to though…"

"I'm sure it will, but just be yourself and be good at what you do; the rest will take care of itself.  Now, as regards the rooms; there are 5 of us and 4 bedrooms, someone's going to have to double-up.  I'm more than willing to double with any of you; so don't just choose lowest ranking member to double.  If two of you know each other and are friends, then feel free to share a room.  If nobody wants to share a room then one of us is sleeping in the barn."

They all chuckld.  Wolfy responded first.  "Hage and I have served together before; if you're willing, Hage, I'd double with you."

Hage grinned at him.  "Sure, Wolfy; that sounds good."

I smiled at both of them.  "OK; here's the deal on that.  You two are doubled up, so you get first choice in rooms.  And you should take the biggest one, if there is such a thing."

They both smiled and pointed to the room on the first floor.  The rest of us laughed.

Peter grinned at them.  "I saw them both in there, walking it off, measuring it."

I laughed.  "There's nothing I like more than men who know what they want and know how to get it.  The room is yours.  The rest of us are upstairs, somewhere.  If there is no further business I call this first family meeting adjourned."

"'Family meeting'?"

"Yes, Wolfy; family meeting.  We have no idea how long we're going to be here; we may as well live as sort of a family; brothers-in-arms, Schutzstaffel-Sicherheitsdienst, comrades, whatever you wish to call it; but a family of sorts."

"OK; so any of us is permitted to call one of these 'family meetings'?"

"Absolutely!  We have to communicate with each other; what better way than to call a family meeting where all of us are in one room, at one table; giving our un-divided attention to whoever's speaking?"

They all smiled at that.  "I get the feeling you've done something like this before."

"Yes, Wolfy, I have; when I was lead detective in Bremen.  Our productivity nearly doubled because we were a cohesive unit that always communicated with each other."

"OK.  This family meeting is over then; I need to find a bed,"  Wolfy said, and grinned at all of us.

"Go to it, everyone!"

Within about 40 minutes, everyone had a room with furniture in it.  I ended up with the room at the end of the hall; the little girl's room; the one upstairs room with the best view; almost 240 degrees to the front and side of the house.  Our only real blind-spot was the northwest side of the house, where the dining and front rooms shared a common wall.  There was only one small window on that side of the house; it was in the dining room, and it didn't provide a very good view beyond the barn.  I walked back downstairs to see what was going on and found Jan and Hage in the kitchen putting dishes and silverware away; also pots and pans that they found in the other crates.  We now had a way to cook and eat; we just needed some food.  There had to be a market in town; I would have Wolfy check it out when he picked up Herr Kessler's horse.  Within minutes, everyone was standing in the kitchen, watching Hage and Jan put things away.

I smiled.  "Who here knows how to cook?"

I raised my hand, along with Peter and Wolfy.  The three of us looked at Hage and Jan and chuckled; Wolfy spoke first.  "It looks like dishes and cleanup for you two; we all know how to cook."

"Will it take all 3 of you to cook every meal?" asked Hage, grinning at Wolfy.

"OK, maybe not. We'll share the duties.  Whoever's not cooking will help either Hage or Jan with cleanup; though neither of them doing it twice in a row."  Wolfy gave Hage a shit-eating grin.

I jumped in.  "How about we make it even more fair?  Your proposal is great, but it still leaves Hage and Jan doing nothing but clean-up; even though they get breaks.  The three of us who know how to cook will share cooking duties; either alternating or sharing the kitchen when we want; but all of us will help clean up.  Even if Hage and Jan are stuck doing dishes all of the time; there's nothing stopping us from at least cleaning our plates off and clearing the table to help out; or grabbing a broom and sweeping up."

Everyone seemed to be in agreement on this so I movd on.  "Everyone is responsible for his or their own room; the bathrooms are to be cleaned at least 3 times a week; by everyone.  We'll all be using them; even the downstairs one that Wolfy and Hage share, so we don't have to run upstairs just to take a piss.  And if you're outside, just find a tree or shrub to piss on.  Hell, we all have the same equipment; it shouldn't be an issue pulling it out to take a piss."  A few snickers came from everyone.  "Also, I hate sitting in a dirty bathtub so it would be helpful to all of us if everyone would at least rinse it out when you're getting out of it.  I have no idea if there's a boiler here; so hot water may have to be hauled from the stove."

Jan speaks up.  "I saw a huge pot when I was putting things away; I have a feeling that's what it was used for.  We may have to have a bath-night; or we're going to be heating and hauling water constantly.  And it would be a lot easier to have it on the first floor."

"You may be right, Jan, so that will have to be considered.  I wish I knew how long we were going to be here, and if it would be worth the effort.  I had a friend in university — he was an engineering student — and he told me about how he'd devised a way to heat water for baths and cleaning/doing dishes.  He said to run one of the pipes from the sink, splitting it off from the faucet, and having it run through a wood or coal stove, close to the flame, so it heats up as it passes through.  He told me he did it at his parent's home, and if you didn't run the water full tilt it really worked."

They all smiled at the idea; Hage spoke up first.  "That's fickin (fuckin') incredible!  Let's do it!  It doesn't matter how long we're here; we know it will be at least a few months.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a hot bath without having to haul water for it?"

Wolfy was grinning at him.  "Nice mouth, Hage; but yeah, let's do it.  We just have to find another stove or heater."

I grinned at Wolfy.  "You've never said a cuss word before, Wolfy?"

"Well, yes, of course, but I just … I didn't think it would be OK in front of two officers."

"If you feel the need to add emphasis to a thought by using certain words, then feel free to express yourself.  I don't think Peter and I have virgin ears…"

"Fuck no…"  Peter said and everyone laughed.

"Well put.  OK, so we need to find a small stove or heater, and some pipe; along with someone who knows how to weld them together.  Wolfy, would you ask Herr Kessler about that when you get the horse from him?"

"Of course.  We also need some food.  We know how to cook, but we have nothing to cook.  I hope there's a market in the village.  Also, what about currency; is Herr Himmler sending us Reichsmarks to buy food with?"

"That is supposed to be part of our supplies out in the barn.  We should have weapons, radios, listening equipment, money; that sort of thing.  We will go out when it gets lighter and look around."

"I saw a lantern out on the back porch; it would be light enough with that.  And the sun is starting to rise; I can see further out than I could 10 minutes ago." Jan said, looking at me.

"Very well.  Do we have a way to light this lantern; does anyone here smoke?" I asked.

They all raised their hands and grinned, while pulling out lighters and matches.  "You've all managed to go all night without a cigarette?" I ask incredulously.

Peter spoke first.  "We didn't know if you would allow it."

"I don't care if you smoke as long as you don't blow it directly in my face.  Light them if you have them.  You men need to relax…."

"You don't smoke, Willy?"

"No, Hage, I don't.  I did while I was in university, but stopped when I started at the police department because it was just inconvenient to do so."

"Oh, OK.  Well we all have a way to light that lantern; let's go see what's in the barn."

All of us walked out the back door and to the barn, Hage in the lead.  When we arrived at the barn, he pulled on the handle and opened the door.  Shining the lantern inside we saw a bunch of farm implements and straw on the floor.  We walk in, Hage shining the lantern high so we can look around.  I looked up and noticed 3 bare bulbs hanging from the rafters.

"Hage, shine that lantern against the wall by the door; there's lights in the rafters, there has to be a switch somewhere."

"OK."  He moved the light back over towards the door.  In about a minute or so he spotted the switch and walked over to it; flipping it on.  The barn lit up in the same harsh light as the hallway; but not quite as bright since it had so much more space to illuminate.

"Fuck!  There's a car in here!"  I laughed and walked over to him.

"It's nice to see you expressing yourself, Wolfy."

He grinned at me then turned back toward the car.  It's covered in straw but you can make out a headlight and part of a bumper.  We all walked closer to it and started pulling the straw away from it.  Hiding underneath the straw is a black 1932 Opel saloon.  Jan jumped in the driver's seat and began to crank the starter.  The Opel fired after about 10 seconds and Jan yelled out of the driver's door, pumping his fist.  "We have wheels now."

"I wonder how much petrol it has; and where we can get some more?" I asked anyone who wanted to answer.

Wolfy walked over to Jan and told him to kill the motor while he dipped into the tank.  About a minute later he walked back to me holding a stick in his hand that was wet to within 20 cm from the top.  "I think it has a full tank of petrol; and there are 4 cans behind the car."

"Good.  I'm starting to think this is part of our supplies from HQ.  There is supposed to be a hidden trap door somewhere around here on the floor.  Everyone spread out and see if you can find it."

After searching the floor for about 10 minutes, Peter found the trap door.  We all met at his location and watched as he pulled the door up.  I asked Jan if he still had the lantern and he produced it and lit it back up.  We followed him down the steps and then stopped when he did.  He turned back to us.

"There are a lot of crates in here, but none are marked.  We're going to have to go through them all."

"No, we don't; I have a numbered list in my bag.  There should be a 3-digit code on each crate."

"OK; found it.  So we just have to find the crate that has what we want in it and pull it; without having to take all of them to the house."

"I believe that was their plan; it's more secure in here, out of sight from any curious neighbors.  We'll go through the list together and see what we need, and then just pull those crates.  Come back up to the surface, men; we'll go back in the house and decide how to proceed."

We all got out of the barn, closing the door on our way out, and walked back to the house.  On the way, Peter stopped and looked at the other two out-buildings.

"I wonder what's in those?"

"Go have a look if you'd like."

Peter, Hage and Jan all walked over to check out the buildings.  Wolfy and I were standing there watching them, grinning; they're like kids on Christmas morning wondering what's in their stockings.  I had a strong feeling they were empty; and they turned out to be just that.  I had a feeling in my gut that my superiors thought they'd make perfect interrogation and/or holding facilities.  We were far enough from civilization that no one could hear you scream.  In fact, it had been hinted at during my initial briefing that these buildings were here and could be used for such a purpose, if necessary.

Peter was walking towards me and started speaking.  "They're completely empty except for a rail running across the top with some kind of hooks hanging off it.  Maybe they were used for curing meats or something?"

"Quite possibly; let's get inside and decide what our next move is going to be."  I had another bad feeling that someone had placed those rails and hooks there for a more sinister purpose, and just recently.

"Oh, Willy!  Guess what I saw in the corner of the barn?  A small stove we could use for heating water!  I forgot all about it when we found the car.  Now all we have to do is find a plumber to come out here and hook it up for us."

"Good work, Hage.  We'll ask Herr Kessler if he knows of a plumber who could do it."

We all got back in the house and everyone sat at the table, looking up at me, awaiting instructions.  I didn't really have any.  It was still only 0600 and we needed to go into the village to see what it was like, and how it was laid out, but it was still too early for that.  I heard a couple of stomachs grumble.

"Did anyone bring any food with them in their bags?  I have some cheese and dark bread, but that won't fill anyone's stomach."

Wolfy, my food-loving Sergeant, spoke up.  "I do, Willy.  I have a couple of dried sausages, some bread and a few cakes with me.  I'll go get them and we can make up a breakfast for everyone."  He jumped up from the table and headed to his room.  I turned back to the table waiting for more volunteers.

Peter grinned at me.  "I don't have any food, but I do have a liter bottle of wine.  I brought it with me in case I couldn't get any decent wine in the village."

I laughed.  "Keep your wine, Peter.  I don't think we need to start the day with alcohol.  I'll go get my bread and cheese."  I left and went upstairs to get the food.

When I returned, I found that Wolfy had laid out a spread and was just waiting for my cheese and bread before he started doling it out.  By 0630 we've actually had a decent breakfast and the grumbling stomachs were quiet once again.  We've had to settle with drinking water since we didn't have anything else but Peter's wine.  Wolfy and I got the breakfast mess cleaned up and went back to the table and took a seat.  I looked around the table and saw content, fed, satisfied men looking back at me; but all with a questioning look on their face.

"Let me go get that list and we'll go through it and see what we need to pull first."  I jumped up and headed back upstairs to get the list out of my attaché case.  When I returned, they were in the exact same position, only now they are all having an after- breakfast smoke.  I walked over and opened a window to clear the room a little.  They turned to me with a guilty expression on their faces.

"Keep smoking, I just wanted to let it go outside.  Now, here's the list and some pencils; I want each of you to have a look at it and put a tick next to the items you think we need first.  The greatest number of ticks will be the things we pull first." 

I handed the list to Peter first, along with a pencil.  While he was looking over the list, the other 3 finished their smokes, and I just looked around the room and at them.  He finished in about 5 minutes and handed the list to Wolfy and lit another cigarette.  Wolfy finished in about 5 minutes as well and handed the list and the pencil over to Jan, and he, too, then lit another cigarette.  I smired.  He looked at me, smiling.

"If the other two light a cigarette when they're done with the list, I'm going to start laughing; I'd forgotten what smokers are like."

Wolfy grinned at me, then took a cigarette out of his pocket and handed it over to me.  "So stop laughing and light one up; you used to smoke."

"Thanks, Wolfy, but I don't want to get started again; besides I don't want to be taking them from you guys until I can get my own.  I'm fine; it just struck me as funny when I watched you and Peter light up."

"Take it; the four of us can supply your dirty habit until you get some."  He grinned at me again.

"No, thanks, Wolfy."

He grinned more and then pulled the cigarette to his mouth and lit it with the end of his, drew on it to get it going, and handed it back across the table to me.  "There, pre-lit even; now quit laughing at the rest of us and smoke the damn thing."

I laughed.  He's already grown more at ease than the rest of them with me.  I take the cigarette from him and put it to my mouth.  I hadn't smoked in 8 years.  "Thanks Wolfy; I think."  He grinned big.  I took a drag off the cigarette, with every eye on me, and held it for a few seconds before exhaling.  No coughing or sputtering, just smoke pouring out of my mouth, aimed at the ceiling.  Wolfy and Peter lauged.

"See, you know you wanted one; dirty habits are hard to break."  Wolfy said, smiling at me.

"More than you know, Wolfy; more than you know…"  I took another drag.

Jan finished the list, handed it to Hage and lit up to a round of laughter from the rest of us.  He blushed a little but joined in on the laughter.

When everyone had gone over the list of equipment and made their choices, we all went back to the barn to pull crates.  Within 30 minutes we have everything we thought wed need for the next week or so, and we'd begun to set up the radio and listening equipment in the dining room.  We'd brought the butcher block in from the kitchen to use as a table for the equipment; deciding our equipment was a higher priority than a food prep table.  We decided to leave the dining table where it was, just sliding it closer to the dining room.  Being our chief cipher, Hage was now our new radio man as well.  He showed all of us the basics of using the equipment and then asked if we had any questions.  We had all learned basic radio and telegraph skills in basic training so we all seemed comfortable with it.  I stood back from the table and got their attention.

"Men, we need to get the car out of the barn and go take a look around town.  I also wanted to clear something up.  I made a mistake earlier when I was going to send Wolfy into town alone to get the horse.  I want it understood that no one is to travel or be in the field alone; we work in at least 2-man teams at all times.  I want someone covering each other's flank whenever we're away from this farm."

Hage answered for everyone.  "Understood, Willy."  He grinned at me.

"Hage, you and Jan; get the car out of the barn, please?  You've been elected our drivers, if that's OK with you both."

They both smiled and jumped up, heading out the back door to the barn to get the car.  I grabbed a pair of field glasses and headed upstairs to my room.  I'd been standing at the windows, looking out at Poland, when I heard someone come in behind me.  Turning around, I saw Peter standing in the doorway.

"Come in, Peter.  I was just looking to see what is out there."

"Anything interesting?" he asked, walking into the room.

"Nothing at all.  This is the very southern tip of Poland.  I don't see how anyone would think there's an underground group working here; they would be spotted easily coming across the border."

"Perhaps that's exactly why they would be here; no one would ever suspect it.  And I doubt the locals pay any attention to people walking around close to the border."

"You have a good point; sometimes the best way to hide is to do it in plain sight.  They would still have a long way to travel through Poland before they get here though; there is absolutely nothing within sight of these glasses."

I pulled the glasses back up to my eyes and looked out again.  After scanning for about a minute I saw movement.  I focused in on it and saw a kid, about 13 or 14 standing next to a couple of trees, looking around furtively.  I set the glasses on the desk and turned to Peter.

"Grab your sidearm and come with me; we have a target about 300 meters away!"

Peter ran out of the room to get his Walther P38 while I grabbed mine and meet him at the top of the stairs.  We both ran down the stairs heading for the front door.  Wolfy jumped up, wondering what we were doing.

"What's going on?"

"We have a target about 300 meters to the southeast; grab a weapon and come with us."

He picked up the Machinepistol 40 thatwas leaning against the radio table and joined us at the door.  I pointed over to the line of trees about 15 meters in front of us and we all ran, ducking, over to them.  Once we were in the trees, we cautiously walked toward our suspect.  I motioned for Wolfy and Peter to flank him on both sides, while I walked straight towards him.  We closed the remaining 250 or so meters walking as quietly as we could.  When I was about 3 meters away, I stepped on a twig and he snapped his head around to look at me.  He looked scared shitless and startsed to move.

I pointed my pistol at him.  "Don't move!  There are 2 other weapons trained on your head; you'll not make it more than a few centimeters."

He froze in place, still looking at me; very scared and started to tremble.  "Please, don't shoot!  I'm not armed!"

Peter and Wolfy were walking up behind him, while I walked closer to him, my pistol still pointed at his head.  "What are you doing out here?"

"I … I'm just waiting for someone…"

"Who are you waiting for out in the middle of nowhere so early in the morning?"

"M…M…My friend."

"Does this friend have a name?"

"Yes, Sir, its Sasha.  He's my school-mate and we walk to school together every day."

"Why don't you just meet in town?  You shouldn't be out here."

"He … He lives on a farm about a kilometer south of here and we've always just met here, and walk to school together."

"Then let's all wait for Sasha, and we can talk to him as well."

He looks more nervous.  "Y… Yes, Sir."

"What's your name, boy?"

"Erich."

"Erich, turn around and put your hands over your head; interlocking your fingers."  I looked at Wolfy.  "Sergeant, hand your weapon to the Lieutenant, and search this young man."

"Yes, Sir."  He gave Peter the machine pistol and walked over to the kid.  He patted the boy down and turned around to me.  "Nothing on him, Sir."

"Where are your school books, Erich?"

"I… I… I left them at school yesterday."

"Yeah, OK.  What time does school start, Erich?"

"At… At 7:30, Sir."

I look at my watch; it reads 0715.  "I don't think you're going to make it on-time.  When does Sasha usually meet you here?"

"He… He should be here by now, Sir."

"Well, we'll give him until 7:30.  In the meantime, take a seat with your hands under your ass."

"Yes, Sir."  He sat down on the ground and then stuck his hands under his ass, looking up at me, then over at Peter and Wolfy.  He still looked like he was about to crap himself.

"I'm going to tell you right now, Erich, I don't believe a word of what you've told us, but we're going to stay here until 7:30, waiting for Sasha."

"I promise, Sir; it's the honest truth; I would never lie to an SS officer!"

"I can't count the number of times I've heard that, Erich, and every one of them was lying when they said it."

"Sir, I swear, it's the truth!  Please, Sir, you have to believe me; I'm just waiting for my friend."  He looked at me pleadingly; then the tears start to flow.

"We'll, see…."

Peter and Wolfy looked at me and grinned.  I looked back to the boy; the tears were still flowing and he looked like he was about to be sent to a concentration camp.  We waited there until 0735, and after looking at my watch again, I looked down at the boy.

"Sasha has decided not to come today.  Where do you think he might be?"

"I… I don't know, Sir.  He's always here before I am; I don't know where he could be."

"Stand up!"

He stood up and started shaking; the tears starting to flow again.  "Please, Sir!  I swear everything I've said is true.  Can we please wait a while longer?"

"It's already after 7:30 Erich; I don't think Sasha is coming.  Come with us."

Wolfy took point and we started walking back to the farm.  When we'd walked about 20 meters, I heard a voice yelling being us.

"Erich!  Where are you?"

"Call to him and have him come this way."

"Sasha!!  Over here; please come around the trees!"

Sasha ran around the trees and came to a dead stop when he spotted us.  He looked as scared as Erich in a second.

I looked at him and motioned him towards us.  "Over here, boy; now!"

He slowly walked up to us, looking at Erich with pleading eyes, then back at the three of us.  He got to within a meter and stopped.  I looked at him, frowning.  I do notice that at least he's carrying a bag with him.

"Sasha, set the bag on the ground and put your hands over your head and interlock your fingers."  He complied immediately and looked at me with pleading in his eyes.  "Lieutenant, search him."

"Yes, Sir." 

He pat the boy down, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his front pocket and then found some papers in his back pocket.  He handed the papers to me and then reached down for the bag.  He pulled out 2 books and some more papers from the bag and dropped the empty bag on the ground, holding onto the books and papers.  While he looked through the papers, I began looking at the ones he'd handed to me.  I see schoolwork on 3 of them, and a note from his father on the other; explaining his tardiness.  Apparently he was working in the barn and not paying attention to the time, this morning

"Lieutenant?"

Peter looked at me, holding the papers; he'd dropped the books on the ground.  "Just schoolwork, Sir; but in both Sasha and Erich's names."

I looked at Sasha.  "So, you do Erich's schoolwork for him?"

"Sometimes, Sir.  Why are you here arresting us?"

"You haven't been arrested, yet...  Tell me about your usual routine for going to school."

He looks embarrassed but started talking.  "I… I meet Erich here early so we can have a smoke together; then we walk to school.  We're already late, Sir; how much longer are you going to keep us?"

"I'll decide later.  How old are you?"

"13, Sir."

"Don't you think that's a little young to be smoking?"

"No…  My brother started when he was just 11."

I shook my head at this statement.  "That's just way too early to start.  I'll get you both to school, but you're coming with us first, to answer some more questions.  Start walking."

"But Sir, we need to get to school; we're already going to be in trouble."

"You're in trouble with me; I wouldn't worry about the headmaster.  Move."

We walked back to the house to find Jan and Hage standing out front looking around; wondering where we'd all gone.  They spotted us walking up to them with two boys along for the walk.  Hage came off the steps and walked up to me.

"Found a couple of strays, Sir?"

"Apparently so; these two were standing by a grove of trees about 300 meters southeast of here.  Take them into your room, please; but keep them standing up."

"Yes, Sir."  He turned to the boys.  "Come with me."

The three of them walked into the house while the rest of us stepped in behind them.  Hage led them towards the bedroom while Peter, Wolfy and I put our weapons away.  When I came back downstairs, Wolfy was standing there, looking at me.

"Do you believe them?"

I grinned at him.  "Yeah…  If Erich were any more frightened he'd shit himself.  I've dealt with too many suspects to believe these two are any more than what they claim."

Wolfy chuckled.  "Thanks for taking them into my room; I don't want shit all over my bed."

I smild at him.  "Why do you think I had Hage keep them standing?  Let's go interview our 'suspects'."

He grinned and stepped in behind me as I walked to his room.  Upon entering I saw the boys standing in the middle of the room, still looking close to passing out, and Hage sitting on his bed.  I stood to the left, leaning back against the wall and crossed my arms, looking at the boys.  Wolfy assumed the same position on the right side of the door.

"Erich; you two meet at the trees every day before school?"

He snaps his head towards me.  "Y… yes, Sir."

"Do you ever meet there on the week-end?"

"Sometimes, Sir."

I nodded at him.  "Sasha, how long do you usually stay there smoking before going to school?"

"Ten minutes or so."

"Have either of you ever seen anyone else around there while you've been smoking?"

Sasha answered.  "A couple of times when I've been walking up to the trees; I saw a couple of men there talking to each other, but when they heard me walking, they ran away."

"Erich, have you ever seen these men?"

"N… No, Sir."

"Erich, relax.  We're not going to hurt you.  Have you ever seen anyone in town that you didn't recognize?"

"No, Sir."

"Sasha, would you recognize these two men if you saw them again?"

"Probably, not.  I didn't get a very good look at them; they were about 60 meters away from me when they ran off."

"Did you see them pass each other anything; like a satchel or something?"

"No, Sir; but one of them was carrying a cloth bag; kind of like my school bag, but they didn't trade it."

I nodded at him.  "Have you ever heard anyone talking about the sabotage incidents taking place around here?"

"Everyone talks about them.  It's the only exciting thing to happen around here in a long time."

I tried not to grin.  "I can imagine.  I meant, have you heard anyone say anything like it was a good thing to be doing; or something to that effect?  Kind of supporting it?"

"Not really.  There are a few that said something like 'that'll teach them', but nothing about they should do more of it."

"What do you think they meant; that'll teach who?"

"I think it was people against the war; they probably meant that'll teach the Nazi's."

"Are there many people here that are against the Nazi government?"

"I don't know, Sir."

"How about you; are you against the Nazi's?"

He looked away for a second then back at me.  "Not really, I guess.  I don't spend much time thinking about it.  The only thing that's changed here since they came to power is the recent sabotage."

"What do you think about the sabotage?"

"Like I said, it's the most exciting thing to happen here; but it's still wrong.  Nobody should be blowing shit up just for the fun of it.  Someone could get hurt or killed if they're in the wrong place when it happens."

"You smoke, and you have a mouth on you…  I have to agree with you though; I've seen several people killed because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  What time do you usually get to the trees to wait for Erich?"

"About 6:30 to 6:45 most days; unless I have more work; like today."

I nodded at him again.  I turned to Erich.  "How old are you, Erich?"

"14, Sir."

"Why do you have Sasha do your schoolwork; you're older than him?"

"Because he's smarter than me.  I don't really need school; I'm the son of a farmer and if I don't end up dead, I will be a farmer, too.  What do I need with school?"

"Sasha's a farmer too, but he learns.  Even a farmer has to know math and other things; so he doesn't get cheated when he sells his crops."

"I know math; I can add and subtract numbers.  I don't mind school; I just don't see the need for it."

"Learn to set your sights higher; you don't have to be a farmer just because your father is one.  My Lieutenant, Herr Schiller, is the son of a farmer; but you don't see him working the farm.  He's a very intelligent man; he is a counter-insurgence specialist and became an officer with the SS, after spending 4 years in the Army.  Learn to set yourself higher goals.  You might be surprised at what you can accomplish."

"Yes, Sir.  Can we go to school now?"

"Soon.  I have a deal for you both.  How would you like to work for us?"

Sasha answers.  "What does it pay?"

I grinned.  "Every team needs a good money-man.  I'll give you both 10 Reichsmarks a week for providing us with information."

"What kind of information?"

"Anything you think would be useful to us.  Like if you see those two men again; I want you to come here immediately and tell me.  If you hear something in school or in town, and it sounds like something I'd be interested in, tell me."

"What kinds of things are you interested in?"

"Any talk of the sabotage that sounds like that person is supportive of it.  Anything you might hear about someone giving information to someone from Poland; or anywhere else for that matter."

"So you want us to be your stooges?"

I laughed.  "I guess so; is it worth 10 RM a week to you?"

Sasha thought for a couple of seconds before answering.  "Make it 12 RM each, and you have a deal."

"11 each; and I won't have you arrested for smoking underage."  Wolfy smirked.

"Deal."

I walked over to him and shook his hand, then turned to Erich and offered him my hand.  He shook it and grinned at me.  Sasha asked me something.

"How long have you guys been here?"

"We got here this morning."

"How long are you staying?"

"We don't know; at least until we capture whoever's doing the sabotage and selling secrets to the underground."

"You think there's an underground working around here?"

"We don't know that either, but we think there is; considering the sabotage and the information that's leaking out in this area."

"How many of you are there; and are you all SS?"

"There are 5 of us; and yes, all SS."

"Only 5?  How do you fight a war with 5 men?"

I grinned.  "We're not fighting a war here; we're looking for people."

"OK.  Do you have a lot of weapons?"

"We have enough."

"How many and what kind?"

"That's none of your concern.  We can take care of ourselves; let's leave it at that."

"Do you have like radios and stuff?"

"We have a wireless; yes."  I figured they'd see it anyway; may as well tell them we had one.

"Can we see it?"

"Follow me.  I don't want you two spreading this around town like it's the best news since the invention of the train; try to keep it to yourselves."

"People are going to know you're here; why stay secret?"

"People will know we're here, but they don't have to know too much about us.  They will just assume we're here to stop the sabotage; they don't need to know more."

"OK."

We all walked out to the dining room and stood around the radio.  The boys seemed impressed with it.  My men were all standing around them with amused looks on their faces.  I pulled the boys' shoulders back and stood them next to me.

"Sasha, Erich; these are my team.  From left to right is Wolfy, Hage, Peter and Jan; I'm Captain Becker, but you may call me Willy, for now."

The boys shook hands with my men then stood back, just looking at them.  I turned to Wolfy.

"Let's take these boys to school, Wolfy.  I will go in with them and explain why they're so late.  When we finish we will come back here."

"I'll get the car and bring it around."  Wolfy left through the back door.

"I want the rest of you to go down to that tree grove and search it; bring back anything that looks suspicious; and take a weapon or two, just in case."

"Yes, Sir."  They all turned, grabbed a weapon and left through the front door.  I looked down at the two boys standing next to me.

"Let's go."  I held each by the shoulder and led them out front, where Wolfy was waiting with the car.

"Erich, you can sit in front with Wolfy; tell him how to get to your school; Sasha and I will sit in back."  Erich smiled at me and jumped in front.  Sasha and I took a seat in the back and Wolfy gunned the motor and peeled out to the road; both boys laughed.

Once we were in town and parked in front of the school, the two boys got out and I followed them to the building.  Once we were inside, they led me to the school office and stood in front of a desk, with a stout, middle-aged woman sitting behind it; she looked up at me, shocked.  I introduced myself.

"Hauptsturmführer Becker, fraü; I'm here to drop these two young men off for school."

"Is there a problem, Hauptsturmführer?"

"No.  I am responsible for them being late and I wanted to apologize, and see that they get to class without a problem."

"You caught them smoking, didn't you?"

"Yes, fraü; I had a talk with them about the evils of tobacco.  I believe they understand how dangerous it can be for them now."

She turned to the boys, shaking her head and her finger at them.  "I told you both about smoking; now you have an SS officer involved; maybe you've learned your lesson.  Get to class; both of you!"

"Yes, fraü Bauer!"  They both scrambled out of the office and split off going in different directions when they reached the hall.

Fraü Bauer looked up at me, smiling.  "I'm sorry you had to be troubled with those two; I hope they haven't kept you from your duties for too long."

"Not at all, fraü Bauer.  I hope my talk with them has convinced them to stop smoking."

She smiled at me again.  "I'm sure you've succeeded where we have failed, Hauptsturmführer.  Are you here in the village regarding the sabotage, Hauptsturmführer?"

"Yes, fraü Bauer.  I have a team of 5 looking into the incidents.  We will try to stay out of everyone's way and just go about our duties.  Thank you for your understanding."

"Of course, Hauptsturmführer."  She grinned at me again.  Just what I needed right now, a married schoolmarm making eyes at me and grinning like an idiot.

I need to get out of here.  I snap my feet together and stand at attention.  "Fraü Bauer; it has been my pleasure, but I need to return to my duties.  Have a good day."

"Of course, Hauptsturmführer, please; and you as well."

I turned and walked out of the office, finding my way back to the front doors and walked to the car.  I got in on the passenger side and looked at Wolfy; a lopsided grin was on my face.  He grinned back at me.

"What's the grin for?"

"Just drive.  I have a middle-aged, married schoolmarm trying to get in my pants; and I'm not so sure she won't come running out here."

He laughed loudly and put the car in gear and we set off.  When we were away from the school, he looked back over at me and smirked.

"You find this amusing?"

He laughed.  "Well, yes…  I can see where a middle-aged, fat schoolmarm would want to get in your pants."  He smirked again.

"Who said she was fat?"

"I saw her looking out of the window when you were walking to the car."  He laughed again.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing; and why are you thinking about anyone getting in my pants, Wolfy?"

He flushed red.  "I'm sorry, Sir; I didn't mean it that way…"

I smirked.  "Yeah, well, now we're even; we're both embarrassed, so you can quit laughing."

"Yes, Sir."

"Relax Wolfy; I'm just joking with you.  You're the one who said you could see how she would want in my pants; I'm just giving you a hard time."

He smiled and his normal color slowly returned to his face.  "OK; you win this one."

"Thank you."  I smirked again.

We made it back to the farm within 10 minutes and pulled up out front.  I didn't see any signs of life; they must have all been still searching the tree stand.  Wolfy and I headed inside, him walking to his room and me going upstairs to mine.  I grabbed my field glasses and looked out of the windows, trying to spot the others.  I found them and saw that they were walking back towards the house; Peter and Jan were carrying something with them.  I set the glasses down and walked back downstairs, going out front and waiting on the porch for them to return.  About a minute later, Wolfy joined me on the porch.

"What are they carrying?" he asked.

"I don't know; but I think we're about to find out."

They arrived at the house and Peter and Jan set down on the porch, the items they were carrying.  I looked down at it, not really seeing the importance of it.

"Why did you bring me a few potato sacks and a burned out coffee tin?"

Jan answers.  "You said to bring back whatever we find; this is all we found."

"I'm sorry; I did say that.  Do you think they were left by the two men Sasha told us about?"

"I don't know; they could be."

"Did you see any footprints in the area?"

"Several, but most of them were smaller; probably the boys', but there were others that looked like they were made by men's feet.  Two sets of them; both looked like work-boot prints."

"Did you follow them?"

"Yes, but they stopped when the undergrowth got thicker; we couldn't find where they may have started again."

"OK.  We'll keep these here; I'll ask the boys about them when we see them again.  Maybe they were just using the can to have a fire to smoke around.  At any rate, thank you for searching.  Now let's all go into town and see if we can learn anything more.  We need to buy some food, as well."

Jan took the bags and can with him into the house.  When he returned we all got in the car, Hage driving, with Peter next to him, and the rest of us in back; then we all went back to town.  To say that we garnered a lot of attention would be an understatement.  I thought the locals were not just shocked to see a car in town, but astounded to see 5 SS soldiers in it.  I had really thought that fraü Bauer would have spread the word by now; it'd been 25 minutes.  We drove around for a few minutes before Wolfy spotted the market.  That's our Wolfy; a blood-hound on the look-out for food.  Hage pulled up in front of the store and we all got out; a small crowd forming nearby.  I looked over at the gathered people and smiled at them, touching my forehead with two fingers.

We walked into the market and kind of split up, like we were taking a beachhead.  Within 20 minutes we were back at the front; everyone loaded down with what they'd picked out.  I walked to the front and stood in front of the old man working the till.  He looked at all of us kind of nervously, before speaking to me.

"Hauptsturmführer, how may I be of service?"

"Herr…?"

"Reinhard, Hauptsturmführer."

"Herr Reinhard, we'd like to pay for our purchases now, if you please."

"At once, Hauptsturmführer."  He began ringing up our food stocks, his hands shaking as he put them into cloth bags after pricing them.

"Please relax, Herr Reinhard.  We're just here to purchase food; not to arrest anyone."

"Of course, Hauptsturmführer; my apologies."

I shook my head a little.  "Herr Reinhard, is there a bakery in town we could try?"

"Yes, Hauptsturmführer, it is 5 doors to the west; they have fresh cakes and rye bread daily.  Would you like me to escort you there?"

"That won't be necessary, Herr Reinhard.  I'm sure we'll find it; thank you."  I was actually surprised there was a bakery within smelling distance and Wolfy hadn't mentioned it.

"Not at all, Herr Hauptsturmführer; it is my pleasure.  Will there be anything else for the Hauptsturmführer and his men?"

"No, thank you, Herr Reinhard; you've been most helpful.  What is the tally?"

"With your discount, it comes to 14 Reichsmarks, Herr Hauptsturmführer."

I smiled at him.  "Herr Reinhard, we do not require a discount.  You cannot run a profitable business offering discounts to unknown customers; we'll pay full price for our purchases.  And we will likely be here a few times a week buying more food; it takes a lot to feed 5 men."

"Of course, Herr Hauptsturmführer; my apologies.  The total will be 24 RM, please, Herr Hauptsturmführer."

"Very well, Herr Reinhard."  I counted out 24 RM and handed it to him.  He took it with slightly shaky hands and put it away.  "Herr Reinhard, we are here to find the saboteurs; we will not be in anyone's way.  Please tell your other customers not to be concerned with our presence.  We are just here to do our duty, nothing more."

"Of course, Herr Hauptsturmführer.  May I ask where the Hauptsturmführer and his men are staying while in our village?"

"We are staying at the farm 10 kilometers east of here; the one with the large, white house and barn, Herr Reinhard."

"Very well, Herr Hauptsturmführer; will there be anything else?"

"Actually, yes, Herr Reinhard.  Do you know of a plumber in the village?  We have need of one."

"Of course, Herr Hauptsturmführer.  There is the plumber that has installed most everyone's indoor water.  He works out of a shop 2 streets south of the schoolhouse."

"My gratitude, Herr Reinhard; we will pay him a visit.  Would you know his name, by chance?"

"Herr Haidenger, Herr Hauptsturmführer."

"Thank you, Herr Reinhard.  Have a good day."

"Thank you; and you and your men as well, Herr Hauptsturmführer."

We all gathered up our bags and walked back to the car.  After loading them in the boot I looked over at Wolfy, a grin on my face.

"You're slipping, Wolfy; there's a bakery a few doors away and you didn't smell it."

He grinned back at me.  "Oh, but I did, Herr Hauptsturmführer.  I just thought I'd tell you about it when we were finished in the market, Herr Hauptsturmführer."

I grinned at him and rolled my eyes.  "Very well, Herr Oberscharführer.  Let's go see what they have."  The other three were chuckling at our mocking the poor shopkeeper.

We walked the 4 doors down to the bakery, still gathering as much attention as when we drove up, and walked inside.  The smell was incredible; I was wondering how I had missed it.  Wolfy walked up to the counter, looked down and began to drool.  The young lady behind the counter approached him, smiling.

"Is there something that catches your attention, mein Herr?"

He grinned at her.  "Everything!"  I was wondering if I were the only one who caught the double entendre.

She giggled.  "Of course, mein Herr.  Would you like to eat it here, or take it with you?"

"I can start here and take the rest with me.  I'm Wolfy; and what is your name, beautiful?"  I almost laughed out loud.

She blushes and giggles.  "Gertrud…"

He smiled at her.  "A beautiful name for a beautiful girl, Gertrud.  I don't want you to have to bake more today, so I will just have one of everything, please, Gertrud."

She blushes again.  "Of course…, Wolfy.…"

"Thank you, beautiful."  She blushed again and started putting one of each item into a bag; all while Wolfy just watched and smiled at her.

Hage walked over to them.  "Wolfy, are you planning to share, or do we have to buy our own?"

The girl giggled again and Wolfy turned to look at Hage.  "I'll share, but you still might want to buy something; this beautiful girl needs to make a living."

Hage smiled at both of them.  "Of course.  Anything for a lady."  He looked at Gertrud, smiling.  "Alexander Hagen, at your service, Mein Fräulein Gertrud."

She smiled at him.  "A pleasure, Alexander.  What would you like to have?"  Wolfy nudged Hage a little.

Hage just smiled at Gertrud.  "I'll have what Wolfy's having, please."

She giggled again.  "Of course, I'll get it for you; Alexander."

I rolled my eyes behind them.

"Thank you, Gertrud…"

Wolfy nudged him again.  I walked up behind them, touching both of their shoulders.  "I think we have enough sweets now.  Maybe we should let Gertrud get back to her duties; she may have other customers who would like to have something left to buy."

Wolfy looked at me, a small grin edging the corners of his mouth.  "Of course, Herr Hauptsturmführer; my apologies for being so captivated by Gertrud's beauty."

I squeeze his shoulder a little.  "I can understand that; she's very beautiful; but we need to get back to work."

"Yes, Sir."  He looked back at Gertrud, smiling at her.  "Thank you very much, Gertrud; we'll be back for more."

She returned his smile.  "Please, Wolfy, anytime; we're open from 5:30 until 4:00 every day except Sunday."

He smiled at her.  "I'll be here at 5:30…  How much do we owe, beautiful?"

She blushed and smiled.  "2.5 RM each, for you and Alexander, please."

Wolfy and Hage both reached into their pockets, pulling out bills.  They both handed her a 5 RM note, telling her to keep it.  She blushed again and giggled.  I finally got my two horny stags out of the bakery and headed back towards the car; both of them bidding farewell to the beautiful Gertrud as we were leaving.  When we were back in the car, with Hage behind the wheel, I told Hage to head to the plumber's shop, but I didn't miss the chance to say my peace.

"I know you're both young and horny, but we need to maintain our professionalism when we're in town.  I would prefer that nobody gets involved with one of the locals while we're here, please."

"Yes, Sir; sorry, Sir."

I rolled my eyes.  "Don't do that, Wolfy; I'm not chewing your ass.  I'm just reminding you that getting involved with a local girl is not what we're here for.  And, besides I don't need the two of you at odds with each other over a girl; you were like 2 big-horn sheep butting horns."

They both laughed.  "Sorry, Willy.  I know; but I was just flirting with her."

"Understood; just try to keep a reign on the family jewels."

Everyone in the car started laughing.  We pulled up in front of the plumber's shop a couple of minutes later and all of us got out and went inside.  We had to stop doing this; it's like an invasion force every time we move, and it makes the locals really nervous.  We were all standing in the doorway of the shop, looking around.  The owner had noticed our arrival and was standing there looking like he was about to keel over.

"Herr Haidenger?"

"Yes…"

"We need the services of a plumbe,r and Herr Reinhard pointed us in your direction."

"Yes?"

"We need to have an additional pipe welded on our bathroom sink; to run it through a heater, leading into the tub; if you please."

He looks at me like I'm from Mars.  "I don't understand, Mein Herr; what would you need with a water pipe in a heater?"

"To heat the water for a bath.  The water pipe runs through a burning stove or heater, and the water gets hot as it passes; then pours into the tub."

He grinned, finally getting it.  "That's quite interesting, Mein Herr.  I have never seen that done before.  People usually just have a boiler installed for hot water."

"Well we don't want to go to the expense or hassle of installing a boiler; we only need the hot water for the bathtub."

"Very well; when would you like this done?"

"At your earliest convenience, Herr Haidenger."

"And you already have the stove in place?"

"No, but it will be before you arrive."

"You have a vent for this stove, correct?"

I hadn't thought of that; the bathroom could get kind of smoky.  "Actually, no, we hadn't considered that.  Is there a way for you to vent the heater out of the bathroom?"

"I would have to knock a hole in the wall, leading outside, and run the stove pipe through it; but yes, it can be done."

"Very well, Herr Haidenger; bring stove pipe and water pipe with you when you come.  We are staying at the white farmhouse 10 km east of here; do you know it?"

"Yes, the Morgenstern farm.  I installed their plumbing 2 years ago; where have they gone?"

"They have moved away, and we are staying there during our investigation of the sabotage incidents."

"You mean you sent them away; to one of those camps we hear about."

"Herr Haidenger, I have no knowledge of where the Morgenstern's are; and you need to be careful of the accusations you throw around.  We are here to do our jobs and nothing more."

"We hear about those camps where the Jews get sent; and the SS is the one that's sending them there; surely you can understand my thinking."

"I do understand, Herr Haidenger, but we're not here to round up Jews; we're here to find the saboteurs.  I would be very careful if I were you about saying things like that out loud; especially to an SS officer."

He puffs his chest out a little.  "Is that a threat, Herr SS officer?"

He's getting on my nerves.  "No threat, Herr Haidenger; a promise from me that if you don't learn to watch your tongue I will find the SS company responsible for relocation and send them your way.  Do we understand each other?"

He stops short; considering what I've said.  His chest slumps back to normal, and he looks at me with a cold stare.  "Yes, Mein Herr, we understand each other.  What time would you like me to be at the farm?"

"At 1 P.M., Herr Haidenger; and please leave the attitude here at your shop."

"1 P.M. Mein Herr; will there be anything else?"

"No.  Good day."

We walked back outside and got in the car.  Peter looked at me.  "What an ass!  I was about ready to send him somewhere with no address."

I chuckled.  "Down, Peter; we can't just send good German's away because they don't like us."

"I've run into a lot of so called 'good Germans' that don't like us; but they have sense enough to hold their tongue."

"I know, but not everyone has that ability, apparently.  We will keep a close eye on Herr Haidenger; both when he's at the farm and once he leaves, as well.  I don't want him alone for one second while he's doing his work on the bathroom.  And we are going to move the radio table into Hage and Wolfy's room while he's there; he doesn't need to see anything we have."

"Of course.  Jan, you are to watch every move Herr Haidenger makes while he's at the farm later.  I don't want him out of your sight."

"Yes, Peter."

"Good man."

We returned to the farm and got our purchases all put away.  After making another check of the tree stand, we walked around for a couple of hours, basically following the line of the Polish border, looking for footprints and whatever else we might find.  Around 11 we headed back to the house; everyone's stomach was grumbling again.  After lunch we got cleaned up and moved the radio table into the lower bedroom, in preparation for our visitor's arrival.  While Wolfy, Hage and I were doing that, Peter and Jan were bringing the stove in from the barn.  It looked like just the right size to fit in the bathroom.  Our plumber arrived right on time at 1300.  I opened the door for him, trying to keep my team away from him; all of them were grumbling about taking him out back and shooting him just for live target practice.

"Herr Haidenger, please come in.  We want this done on the first-floor bathroom.  And might I say, you did good work on installing the plumbing here."

"Thank you.  I have my tools and supplies in the wagon."

"I'll have one of my men help you with them.  Corporal Richter!"  He popped his head around the corner.  "Please help Herr Haidenger bring in his tools and supplies."

"Right away!  Herr Haidenger, would you follow me and point out what you will need?"

Haidenger grumbled something and walked out with Jan.  They were back in 5 or 6 minutes; both of them were loaded down with plumbing materials.  Jan led him to the bathroom and set his load down in the hall, keeping it against the wall and out of the way.  Haidenger set his load down in the bathtub, scratching it while doing so; the prick.  Haidenger looked over everything and turned to Jan.

"Are you just going to stand guard over me the whole time?"

"No, Sir; I would like to watch, and help if you need it.  I have a bet with one of the men that this plan of theirs won't work; I want to see how you do it."

"Oh, it'll work, son.  I've never thought of it before, but the way your commander explained it; it should work just fine.  Hand me that stove pipe if you're going to just stand there."

"Yes, Sir."

I had agreed with Peter to put Jan on him.  I was glad I had, because he was the only one who hadn't said he wanted to use him for live target practice.  He only wanted to hang him on one of the rails for an hour or so; just to let him sweat it out, he said.  While they worked on the hot water issue, the rest of us wandered around the farm, checking out the barn more closely and found a few items that might be useful to us.  We were all back inside, sitting around the table when Jan and Haidenger walked into the front room; Jan looked excited.  I looked at my watch and noticed it had been a little less than 3 hours since they started.

"Come and look!  He got it set up, and it looks like it should actually work!"

"You'll need some wood for that stove; you won't get hot water without a fire."

"We'll get some wood, Herr Haidenger.  Sergeant Wolf, would you grab some wood please, and bring it to the bathroom?"

"Right away."  He turned to walk back out the back door and the rest of us followed Jan into the bathroom.

"It looks very professional, Herr Haidenger; thank you for all of your hard work."

"Hmfpt.  I always do professional work, Mein Herr.  Where's that boy with the wood?"

"That 'boy' is my Sergeant and he's 25 years old; I expect you to show him due respect."

"25 is still a boy, Mein Herr."

"Maybe to some; but I still want you to treat him; and all of us, with the same respect we show you."

"Hmfpt.  I'm glad I didn't have you for a commanding officer during the first war; you're a jumpy one, you are."

"Excuse me?"

"I said you're jumpy.  You never let anything pass.  You have to comment on everything; jumping on it."

"I only 'jump' on disrespectful comments."

"Well, I don't care what kind of uniform you wear; I'm still your elder and I expect you to mind your manners."

"And I may be 30 years younger than you, but I expect you to show some manners as well."

"Hmfpt.  Damn kids; put a uniform on them and they think they own the air around them."

"Herr Haidenger, I've had enough of you for one day; how much for the work?"

"Forty."

Probably double what he'd charge anyone else.  "I'll pay you 30 since my man helped you."

"The price is 40; I didn't need anyone's help.  And I want real money, not some promise from Berlin that I'll get paid when the war's over."

I pull the money out of my pocket and hold it up.  "You're a real ass, Herr Haidenger; take your money and your shit, and get out."

"And you have the nerve to tell me to mind my manners?  Learn some respect, boy!"

I was fighting for control.  "You have 10 seconds before I stick a pistol in your mouth and pull the fucking trigger.  Get out!"

"Burn in Hell!"  He grabs his tool box and shoves his way past me; snatching the bills out of my hand as he goes by.  I notice Peter start to move after him.  I reach out and grab his arm.

"Stand down, Peter; just let him leave."

"He needs to be taught a lesson; and I'm the one to do it."

"He's just a crotchety, old man Peter; let him be.  Nothing would be gained by hurting him or killing him."

"He might learn some fucking respect."

"I doubt it…  Jan, please help the old fuck load his crap up so he can get out of here."

"Yes Sir."

I took Peter's arm and dragged him back in through the front room and back to the kitchen.  I opened the back door and took him outside with me; standing on the back porch.

"You got a cigarette on you, Peter?"

"Of course; here."  He handed me one then lit it for me; taking one for himself and doing the same.

"Thank you.  You have to maintain, man.  We can't just go around torturing and shooting the locals."

"He's a special case.  I mean, come on, Willy; he called you a fucking boy and you're just going to let him walk away?"

"You never know; we might need a plumber again."  I grinned at him.

He smirked.  "It's not funny; he was being a complete fuck."

"Peter, I'm not excusing his behavior, or his words, but I don't want to have to defend ours to the men in Berlin, either.  We have to let some shit slide past us."

"He better hope I don't catch him alone in town…"

"You will not touch him; is that understood?"

"OK…"

"Peter, I'm serious.  You will not bring that man to any kind of harm; are we clear?"

"Yes, we're clear.  I won't touch him."

"That means you can't shoot him either, right?"

He smirked.  "I won't shoot him.  I won't go near him.  I understand what you're saying."

"Good.  Thank you.  Just accept him for what he is and move on."

"OK, Willy.  I'm sorry I got so pissed."

"Get as pissed as you want; just don't act on it."

"OK."

Wolfy walked up onto the porch carrying about 6 split logs.  He looked at us.

"What's going on?  I thought we were going to light a fire."

"I'm trying to keep Peter from lighting a fire under Haidenger."

They both laughed.  "What'd the old fuck do now?"

"He called you and Willy … 'boy'."

Wolfy laughed.  "Well, I don't know how Willy feels about it, but I get called boy all the time; it's not a big deal."

"It's not just that he called you both 'boy', it's his fucking attitude.  He's nothing but an old prick!"

Wolfy smirked.  "That's old news Peter.  You gotta learn to let shit go; no point in getting all worked up over some old man with a bad attitude."

"I just finished telling him the same thing.  Maybe coming from a senior comrade he'll believe it now."

They both laughed.  "OK, OK.  I'll let it go.  You two are turning into a vaudeville act."

"Relax Peter; we're just trying to cheer you up; don't get your balls out of shape."

We all laughed and Peter actually blushed a little.  Wolfy was smart enough to let it pass.

"You still want this wood?" Wolfy asked innocently.

I burst up laughing.  They looked at me for a few seconds before catching on; both of them rolling with laughter, Wolfy even dropping some of his … 'wood'."

"Oh fuck!  You're as bad as the younger ones!" Peter said, still laughing.

"Hey, I can't help it if I can connect un-related statements and make them dirty; it's just a gift."

Wolfy laughed yet again.  "You tell him, Willy.  Sometimes you just have to express what's on your mind."

Peter laughs again.  "So you're saying he has 'wood' on his mind?"

Wolfy flushed bright red.  Peter and I laughed again.  "No…!  I'm just saying….  Fuck it, there's no way I'm getting out of this alive.  Bye."  He walked into the house, minus 3 logs and Peter and I laughed some more.

I looked at Peter, still grinning.  "Feeling any better?"

He smirked.  "Yeah.  I don't want to kill the old man anymore, if that's what you're asking."

"That's what I'm asking.  Good to hear it."  I smirked again.  "Now … let's go back in and watch Wolfy set fire to his wood."  Peter burst up laughing again.  We walked back in the house, our arms around each other's shoulder, holding each other up from laughing so hard.  When we got in the hall, everyone turned to us and just stared.  Wolfy walked out of the bathroom.

"The wood's burning."

Peter and I dropped to the floor laughing hysterically.

Wolfy had some idea of what we' were laughing about.  "Oh fuck…."

I looked up and saw the two youngest ones just standing there, staring at us, a huge smile on their faces, probably wondering what the hell we'd found so funny.  It took us both at least 2 minutes to calm down enough not to smirk every time we looked at Wolfy.  We finally made into the bathroom to check out our new water heater.  I turned around and looked at Jan and Hage, thinking that watching their two commanding officers roll around on the floor in hysterics probably relaxed them more than anything I could ever think to say to them.  I smiled and winked at them.

"You guys think this will work?"

Jan responded.  "It should.  Let's turn the water on and find out."

I turn back around.  "OK Wolfy, let there be hot water."

He grins at me then turns the water tap on; only about a third of the way.  We all just stood there staring at the water coming out of the pipe into the tub.

"Well, somebody… hold your hand under it and see if it's hot."  I rolled my eyes.

Wolfy stuck his hand under the water.  "Fuck, yes!!  It's hot!"

Cheers went up around the bathroom; reverberating off the walls.  I walked over and stood next to Wolfy; reaching to feel the water.  It's not what I would call hot, but it's not bad.  About what you'd give a baby a bath in; but much better than cold, and a hell of lot better than hauling it around the house.

"Men, we have hot bath water!  Hoorah!"

More cheers go up.  I started to notice the only downside to our little water heater; the bathroom is getting damned hot with that heater running like a blast furnace.

"Well, if the water isn't hot enough, at least the room will be."  They all chuckled.

Jan looked at me, smiling.  "So who gets to be the first to test it?"

I smiled back at him.  "You.  You're the one who helped build it, so you should get first chance at it; and after you will be Wolfy, for providing the wood."  Peter and I smired.

Jan grinned.  "OK, everybody out!  I'm shy; I don't need you all looking at my body while I'm in the tub."

He probably should've kept his mouth shut.  We all just stood there, staring at him; grinning.

He turned red. "Oh hell….  Come on; you have to leave so I can jump in the tub."

We just stay where we are, staring at him.  I look over at the tub; it's about a third full.

"You better get a move on; the tub's going to be over-flowing."

"But…"  He just looked around the room at us.  "Fuck it, you want to see my body, here it is."  He started taking his clothes off.

I'm guessing he's hoping that we'll scatter in fear of seeing him naked, but we stayed right where we were, still grinning at him.  He got his boots, socks and shirt off and then stopped, looking at us, pleading with his eyes for us to leave.

"Come on guys, please?"

Hage starts chanting.  "Strip, strip, strip."

The rest of us joined in, laughing and chanting 'strip'.  Poor Jan was as red as a tomato and just stared at us, with a silly grin.

"I don't wear underclothes, dammit; come on; please?"

We kept chanting and laughing.  He finally decided he was not going to win so he un-did his uniform pants and let them drop to the floor.  We all cheered and started clapping and whistling.  He turned even redder.

Hage looks at his crotch and grins.  "Nice cock, Jan."

"Fag."

"You wish…"

"OK, guys, let's let poor Jan bathe in peace; we've embarrassed him enough for one day.  I'm sure he'll take another bath sometime this month…"

"Yeah!  Let me be in peace!"

We all laughed again, and started walking out of the bathroom.

Wolfy stopped and turned to look at Jan.  "I find any white floaters in that water and I'm taking your ass."  We all laughed again.

"Get out!  I don't do that in the bathtub; I do it in bed."

"That's more than I wanted to know, but as long as we're clear on it, have fun."

We all filed out into the front room, Peter and Wolfy heading out front for a smoke; Hage and I were sitting down at the table.  When they returned, I had Peter join me in the kitchen to get dinner going.  When we'd been in there for about 10 minutes, I heard Jan yelling down the hall.

"Wolfy!!  It's all yours!"

"Thanks, Jan!"

About 5 minutes later I was standing in the front room, drying my hands on a small towel.  Jan and Hage were sitting at the table talking and Wolfy came storming into the room, stark naked, pointing at Jan.

"What the hell is that white shit floating around in the water!?  I told you not to beat off in there, dammit!"

"I didn't!!  Maybe it's just soap!?"

"Soap doesn't fucking flake off and float in the water, dumbass.  You were in there beating that damn big dick of yours."

"I was not!  I didn't touch my dick except to wash it!"

"Wolfy!  Calm down.  Let's go see what's floating in the water before you start fucking poor Jan."

"I wouldn't touch his ass with Hage's dick."

"Whatever.  Let's just go see what's in the water; maybe it is just soap."

I followed Wolfy back to the bathroom, admiring his ass as he walked in front of me.  Nothing at all wrong with a fuzzy butt, I thought to myself.  We got in the bathroom and I looked down at the tub.  There are white things floating in the water, but I'd beat off in the tub enough to know it wasn't what Wolfy was thinking it was.

"That's not cum, Wolfy.  I have beaten off in the tub so I know what it looks like, and that's not it."

"I didn't need to know that, Willy.  What do you think it is, then?"

I bent down and scooped up some of the water in my hand, bringing it up to look at it.  I rubbed my thumb over it a couple of times.  I brought it up to my face and smelled it.  Wolfy made a disgusted noise.  I looked down at the tub, paying close attention to the bottom.  Yep, there was the scratch that the stupid old man made when he dropped his tools in the tub.  He scraped the paint off and that was what was floating in the water.  I stood up and looked at Wolfy.

"It's not cum, Wolfy; it's paint.  That jackass old man dropped his tools in there, on purpose, when he came in here.  He scratched the bottom of the tub and now there's paint floating in the water."

"So, it's not Jan's cum; you're sure?"

"It's not Jan's cum.  It's just paint; and you owe Jan an apology."

"Shit.  I know…"

"There's no time like the present…"

"OK."

He walked back out of the bathroom, still butt naked, and my eyes trained on his ass, and I walked back into the front room, stopping at the table.

"Jan, I'm sorry.  It wasn't your cum; it's paint from that fucking old man dropping his shit in the tub.  I apologize for yelling at you."

"Thanks, Wolfy.  I told you I wouldn't do that in the tub; I wish you would've just believed what I said."

"I'm sorry, Jan; I should have."

"OK, Wolfy.  Now please go back to the bathroom; it's hard to look at you standing there naked."

Wolfy grinned.  "I've never had any complaints before…"  Jan frowns at him.  "Don't be so serious all of the time Jan, it will make you old before your time."

"Staring at your dick is making me old before my time."

"Then stop staring at my dick."  He grinned again.

"That's not what I meant!  I mean, with you standing there naked."  He blushed.

"OK, Jan; I'm sorry.  I'm gone."  He turned around and walked back to the bathroom.

I went back to the kitchen to finish dinner; having a great mental image for later, well … a few of them actually.  Jan's 'nice cock' and Wolfy's furry butt; and not to mention his fat cock and big balls.  I may pull a wrist muscle…

The rest of the evening was far less dramatic than the entire day had been.  We finished dinner; with Jan and Hage doing dishes; with a little help from Wolfy because he still felt bad for yelling at Jan.  Peter and I went to have a smoke on the front porch.  By 2030 we were all starting to nod off.  None of us had had much sleep, and we'd been up since 4 that morning.  I wanted to make a perimeter check before bed, but I thought I'd let it pass tonight; none of us would make it around the front porch.  I stood up from one of the paisley chairs I'd been sitting on, stretching and yawning.

"Time for bed; we all need some sleep."

Hage yawned big.  "I might fall asleep on the way to bed."

"We'll cover you up as we walk over you."

He grinned at me.  "Thanks…"

"You're welcome; now go get some sleep.  And one of you needs to have a weapon handy in case something happens tonight."

Wolfy grabbed his machine pistol.  "Will this be enough?"

I grinned at him.  "Just don't shoot any of us with it."

"Never.  Do you want a couple of us to run guard duty tonight?"

"No.  I want all of us to get a good night's sleep.  We'll start rotating schedules tomorrow, but for now we're all dead tired; let's just sleep."

He grinned at me.  "Yes, Boss."

"Go to bed!"

We all made our way to our beds, turning out the lights as we went.  I didn't know about the rest of them, but I was asleep with minutes. 

To be continued...

Posted: 11/16/12