oops ....wrong thread

Having searched the small cabin and reported on his negative findings.. Brutal stands by watching and covering their prisoner.. lovely though she may be .. she was still a kraut.

The Captain moved closer to look at her. Not considering the language difference he says to her, ‘“Look lady, we don’t want any trouble... scratch that... we do want trouble, but just not with you. We need to find Castle Rautenberg. Do you know where it is?”
Brutal was watching her closely and he too noticed the lack of confusion in her eyes that should have been there if she had not understood the Captain’s English… he turned and glanced at the Sarge and Captain.. he saw to his amazement that the Captain had realized it too.

“She ‘sprakens’ English .. Captain,” he says with a faint smile at her that he purposefully let shift into a threatening one, “I think she can tell us a lot… if properly ‘motivated’.”

(Yes I know I misspelled the word Sprechen… hey Brutal doesn’t really speak German.. sure he over heard the word someplace )

"So it seems, Corporal." The Captain replied with a friendly smile towards the lady.

"Now, get Doc in here so he can look after the Lady's cheek. I'm sure he'll be able to help it from swelling."

He turned back to the woman. He really hoped they could persuade her to help them out. By the Heavens, they needed some help here.

"How about it Lady? Why don't we start with proper introductions. I'm Luke. What happened here?"

"So it seems, Corporal." The Captain replied with a friendly smile towards the lady.

"Now, get Doc in here so he can look after the Lady's cheek. I'm sure he'll be able to help it from swelling."
Brutal nodded and then moved to the door... he saw Doc returning from behind the cabin looking less than excited.. so he figured he didnt find anything.

"Captain wants you inside," he told Doc, "he wants you to tend to the lady." There was a undertone to Brutal words... a hard tone when he spoke to Doc.

As the Doc moved to enter the cabin Brutal stopped him by grabbing his arm and looking the man in the eyes... he spoke in a low menacing tone.

"You screwed up Corporal," he said his teeth clenched, "you compromised us earlier when we approached this cabin."

He was obviously talking about Doc's outburst about their plan on breaching the cabin and how he disagreed with it and didnt even know what the plan was in fact.

"You ever do something like that again and I will bury you. You got me!"

His last words were more a statement than a question... he moved to let the Doc pass and then signaled to their sniper out there that everything was alright and then he stood just inside the doorway so he could keep and eye on things inside and out.

Jack had finished checking behind cabin and was headed back around to join others in the Cabin. He heard Captain speaking to Brutal.

"Now, get Doc in here so he can look after the Lady's cheek. I'm sure he'll be able to help it from swelling."
Doc saw Brutal step around the corner and wave forward,

"Captain wants you inside, he wants you to tend to the lady."
As Doc started to step past him he grabbed Jack’s arm saying,

"You screwed up Corporal, you compromised us earlier when we approached this cabin. You ever do something like that again and I will bury you. You got me!"
Doc looked into Brutals cold eyes and in a calm voice said,

” Save your bad ass attitude for scaring the woman and children. You’re just lucky that was the only Kruat, and the lady killed him for you. Now go find a bucket of water and rag so we can make nice with the lady.”

Doc walked over to captain,

“It’s all clear outside, that was the only enemy soldier you have to worry about. “

Jack glanced to door where Brutal was still posturing,

“The well is behind cabin Jake, I still need some water for this lady.”

Pulling out his medic’s pouch Doc showed the lady the Red Cross,

“It looks like that Enzo Ferrari wanna be had no manners; may I check your face, Miss?”

Doc looked into Brutals cold eyes and in a calm voice said,

” Save your bad ass attitude for scaring the woman and children. You’re just lucky that was the only Kruat, and lady killed him for you. Now go find a bucket of water and rag so we can make nice with lady.”
Brutal didn’t stop the Doc as he pulled away and went inside to do as ordered.. instead he smirked alittle.. he had to admit the little man had guts.. not very bright.. but guts.

He stood guard inside the door.. making no move to follow Doc’s instructions.

Jack glanced to door where Brutal was still posturing, “The well is behind cabin Jake, I still need some water for this lady.”
Brutal looked over to the Corporal and smirked again, “Be my guest.” He made no move to get any water or anything.. he was the Doc.. let him get his own damn things.

Luke hadn't caught the words that had been exchanged between Brutal and Doc. Now Doc asked Brutal to get some water, and the Corporal refused, he knew something was up. Be it attitude, friction or whatever, he knew they didn't need it in their team.

So, in a no-big-deal kind of way, he said: "Get the man some water, Corporal. Gives you an excuse to double check if we're alone."

" Sind Sie Englisch oder Amerikaner? Amerikaner, glaube ich. Was tun Sie hier? Ich wünsche keine Mühe.
Romo continuing to talk in German quickly replied to her question.

“Yes we are Americans, we are not here to hurt you, please are there any other German Soldiers here??”
(Going on the assumption her answer is no)
With her conformation that the German officer was alone Romo was about to continue asking her for more information when the Captain and Clements had entered the cabin.

“Is she not talking?” The Captain asked Romo.

““Yes sir, she has, but I’m not sure if she understands English, but I can translate”
“Look lady, we don’t want any trouble... scratch that... we do want trouble, but just not with you. We need to find Castle Rautenberg. Do you know where it is?”
As the Captain spoke Romo translated his words into German for the lady to understand. However it was with a small surprise when from behind him Clements spoke.

“She ‘sprakens’ English .. Captain, I think she can tell us a lot... if properly ‘motivated’.”
“So it seems, Corporal. Now, get Doc in here so he can look after the Lady's cheek. I'm sure he'll be able to help keep it from swelling."
Romo having heard the threat in the Corporal’s voice in the word ‘motivate’ blocked his way to the door long enough to quietly pass along a warning of his own.

““Corporal you lay one hand on her and I’ll make sure you face an article hearing once we are back in allied lines. We are American soldiers not Nazi’s. You hear me Corporal”
(Leaving room for interaction here)
His words spoken he turned back to Address the Captain who had continued talking to the German lady.

“Sir, with your permission, I’m gonna retrieve my gear and weapons, do a quick recon and check on McGuinness.”................

(Assuming he says ok I’ll head out right away and do so. This takes place hopefully before the words between Brutal and Doc, as if I hear them, being senior NCO I would have to take action.)

Romo having heard the threat in the Corporal’s voice in the word ‘motivate’ blocked his way to the door long enough to quietly pass along a warning of his own.

“Corporal you lay one hand on her and I’ll make sure you face an article hearing once we are back in allied lines. We are American soldiers not Nazi’s. You hear me Corporal?”
Brutal looked surprised at the Sarge’s comments and he nodded to the man, “Aye Sarge… I didn’t intend to do anything without orders… was just suggesting… it your guy’s call on what course we take.” He shrugged and went on outside to fetch the Doc… and have a word with him too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jack glanced to door where Brutal was still posturing, “The well is behind cabin Jake, I still need some water for this lady.”
Brutal looked over to the Corporal and smirked again, “Be my guest.” He made no move to get any water or anything.. he was the Doc.. let him get his own damn things.

"Get the man some water, Corporal. Gives you an excuse to double check if we're alone." The Captain said to Brutal.
Brutal glanced at the Captain then back to Doc.. and smirked.. here he was starting to think the Captain might turn out to be alright.. and he takes Doc’s side in this.. well he was learning how things were and who he could trust.. he had started out thinking the Doc was an alright guy.. useful in a fight maybe.. but now he was seeing that the man was a know-it-all loud mouth that would get them all killed.. and his first impression of their Captain seemed to be proving right as well.

“Aye ‘Captain’” Brutal said as he walked into the back area of the cabin and grabbed a pitcher of water left on the counter.. he grabbed a dirty rag from the stove and then walking over to the Doc he dropped them both unceremoniously on the floor.. the pitcher splashing water around but somehow staying upright.

“There ya go, Doc.” He said with a smirk, “earn your keep.. for once.”

Without another word or waiting for a reply .. he left to go outside and look around for any signs of danger that the Doc might have missed.. he gave McGuiness a wave and signaled that he was going to reconnoiter the surrounding area.

As the pitcher wobbled to a stop, Doc took a look at the greasy kitchen rag Brutal dropped on the floor.
Shaking his head while he opening the medic kit, Jack pulled out a triangle bandage and dipped it in pitcher and rung out the excess water.

He could tell by the even redden on the lady's cheek that she had just taken a mean slap, it would hurt and stay red for a while but that was all there was.

Had she been slugged or pistol whipped the dark heavy swelling and bruising from broken veins or crushed bone under the skin would have already started.

Handing the cool compress to her he said,

"Here, put this on your cheek, it's cool enough to slow to the swelling."
Looking at Brutal as he walked out the door Doc continued,

"Don't worry about him, his bark is worse then his bite! He hasn't killed anything recently and it's making him a tad irritable. With any luck he'll get something killed soon other then us or himself.
Although Doc joked about Brutal, he was really starting worry if the Sarg could handle that loose cannon.

He just can't see anything past the tip of his own nose.

One man with a personal agenda could get them all killed as he just stood there and laughed.

The woman had watched the exchanges between the men, her own body tensing as the suggestion was made that she could be made to talk. When the one fellow put a cold compress to her face, she finally relaxed enough to gather her legs beneath herself to rise.

"Indeed, I do speak English, " she began, holding out a hand to be assisted to her feet with the confidence of one seldom refused," though I can attempt to speak "American" if that would be easier." A small pursed lip smile took any sting out of the comment, and in fact, her English was only slightly accented.

"We are alone, there is no need to search for others. That one," and here she indicated the dead man with a contemptuous flick of her chin," did not want company for his plans. I killed him too quickly, the pig! " she sniffed.

Her blue eyes flicked from man to man, before settling on the Captain. "Luke, is it? My name is Greta Hofstetter, and I had convinced dieses Schwein to take me to der Castle Rautenberg. Unfortunately, he had planned a detour, and I doubt he would have actually taken me there. It's actually not much farther, I can certainly show you. I must ask, though, what is your interest in it?"

."Indeed, I do speak English, " she began, holding out a hand to be assisted to her feet with the confidence of one seldom refused," though I can attempt to speak "American" if that would be easier." A small pursed lip smile took any sting out of the comment, and in fact, her English was only slightly accented.
Doc extended his hand; the lady smoothly rose to her feet. As she passed closely, her perfume filled his head.

It was enough to raise his pulse and although there was no effort in lifting her he still had a catch in his breath.

But it didn’t take Jack long to realize that the lady sized them up quickly. She wouldn’t waste time with the hired help.

With a sigh, Doc let his brief fantasy fade.

Her blue eyes flicked from man to man, before settling on the Captain. "Luke, is it?

“Miss Hofstetter? Pleased to meet you.” Luke said. “Our business as American soldiers in Germany should be quite clear. We’re not here to enjoy the German mountains and search for Edelweiss.”

He hesitated. Could he trust this woman? She had some kind of business in the Castle, and they would need her help. But he felt reluctant to tell her what their mission really was. On the other hand, if she was going to play them in any way the damage would be done. She knew of their presence. It would be better to tell her and anticipate a deception than beating around the bush and ending up confused.

“We’ve learned the Castle houses weapons of mass destruction; bombs that would be able to destroy whatever enemy the Germans have, including my home land. Now I know that most people don’t like a war, and I can tell you that I’d rather not see any more people die if unnecessary. So, you understand, we cannot allow those weapons to be completed.”

He was going to leave it at that, but his curiosity was triggered.

“What was your business at the Castle?"

July 14th 1943, 2:30 am, Day Two of Mission
With McGuinness, Sarge and Brutal outside, Doc sees to the lady as best he can. The captain continues to talk to her, wondering what he is getting himself into with this lady. She is very composed considering the situation and obviously can handle herself well - better than some recruits that Luke had seen in his time. She doesn't seem surprised by much and her responses are cautious by questioning.

Outside, the three soldiers suddenly hear a loud noise. It is a harsh "whoosh" sound that is followed by the night sky being lit up with an unearthly blue glow from the south. It lasts for about 3 seconds and then stops, plunging the night into what seems like a darker blackness than before.

Inside, the noise is heard as well. Through the window, they can see the strange glow as well. Testing the fuel? The light does not flicker or waver like a flame, but whatever it is must be very bright.

Brutal was outside checking the surrounding area for anything… He was sure that the Doc missed something. The only thing he seemed good at so far was shooting his big mouth off… he hoped his doctoring skills were as good as his mouth.

He was finishing up a circuit of the area when he came up to the car… he decided to check it out. He opened the door and looked inside… searching it he found a briefcase which he found was locked when he tried to open it. He thought about forcing it open but then thought it might be trapped so he just took it with him and headed inside.

Before he got to the door however the sky to the south lit up and a ‘whoosh’ sound was heard. He whirled drawing his shotgun up and stood ready as if he were being attacked. He relaxed when he realized the sound and the light were far away. The color was… wrong… he had never seen anything like it. When it faded he turned and hurried inside.

Stepping in he saw the others all paused in wonder at the light… surely they too had seen it.. it had been unusually bright.

“You all seen that!” It was a statement really as he walked in the door toting the briefcase he found. He walked over to the Captain and handed him the case.

“Never seen a light that color before…. Seemed to come from the direction of the Castle. What you make of it Captain?” He was anxious to see what was causing that light. He glanced at the fraulein who was now standing there apparently being questioned by the Captain.

“Maybe she knows what is going on up there? She spill her guts yet?” He gave a grin as he looked at her, hoping to elicit some response from her. Brutal was only attempting to scare her, actually while he could be exceptionally ‘brutal’ with men in battle and even with his own companions… he was always respectful of women. He would attempt to scare one like this who he thought might be an enemy… but when it came down to it .. he couldn’t hurt her if his life depended on it.