Major Mix-up

By: AliasCWN

Chapter 12

"Were they Germans or Americans?" Hitch asked as they left the unit behind.

"I couldn't tell for sure." Troy answered. "That officer was arrogant enough to be either one."

"What are we going to tell Captain Kaufman?"

'We don't know." Troy answered. "I'm not willing to make any guesses, there's too much at stake." He told Moffitt the same thing when they met up minutes later.

"We'd better call the base and fill the captain in on what's happening." Moffitt suggested.

"We can give him the basics." Troy responded. "I don't want to risk the details over the radio."

Captain Kaufman met them at the gate when they returned to the base. "What's this about a fake American unit?" He was asking questions before the jeeps even rolled to a stop.

"There's at least one unit out there dressed as Americans." Troy explained. "There's a major in charge of the unit. We got a pretty good look at their numbers and equipment while we were delivering our message."

"About that; what message?" Kaufman demanded.

It took Troy a while to explain everything that they had discovered, what they had done, and why. The captain was nearly speechless by the time he was finished.

"So they're still coming here?" He finally sputtered.

"They said they were." Troy confirmed. "I promised that you would provide accommodations if they chose to continue to the base." Troy smiled.

Captain Kaufman huffed. "Yeah, in the stockade."

Troy shrugged and grinned. "I didn't promise first class accommodations Captain, just accommodations."

"What about that second unit?"

Troy shook his head. "Like I said sir, I didn't get a read on them. They could be American or they could be German. The captain in charge questioned the orders and I told him to contact the base to get them confirmed. Did he?"

"No, no one has tried to contact us."

"Then I don't know what to tell you sir. You know about as much as we know."

"About as much? What haven't you told me Sergeant?" The captain demanded.

"We saw them Captain." Troy answered. "We told you everything we saw but we can identify them by sight."

"Then I want you and your men to stay near the gate in case they try to get in."

Troy nodded, resigned to more hours of waiting. He tried to hide a yawn as the captain turned away. The four of them kept busy; more to stay awake than because their help was actually needed. The entire base was evaluated for defense and changes were made when anything was noted that could increase security.

The first unit of strangers appeared nearly two hours later. It wasn't one of the units that Troy and Hitch had spoken with earlier. The officer in charge approached the gate warily and identified his unit.

"Is this the unit you warned me about?" Captain Kaufman asked Troy.

"No sir." Troy answered. "I never saw this one before."

The officer looked confused and repeated what he had already told the guards. Captain Kaufman kept him waiting outside the gates until his identity could be verified.

Half an hour after that the next unit arrived. As Captain Kaufman walked toward the gate he caught the nod from Troy. He immediately alerted his officers. Men began to quietly move into position as the captain continued to the gate.

"Who have we here?" Captain Kaufman called as he came to a stop in front of the major who was seeking entrance.

"I am Major Thomas Payne." The officer identified himself. "My unit was sent to help support this base during the expected German offensive."

"Glad to have you here Major." The captain replied with a crisp salute. "Sergeant Troy told me to expect you and your unit."

"Your sergeant assured me that we would be provided with accommodations if we chose to continue rather than turn back immediately." The major answered warily. "My men can use the rest before we begin our return trip."

"Of course Major, I can provide you and your men with accommodations. If you will please leave your vehicles where they are I will have my men move them out of the way. You'll understand if I keep them outside the gate. We don't have room for anymore armor on the base itself. I will have guards keep an eye on it for you."

"My men can move them." The major insisted.

"Fine." Captain Kaufman agreed easily. "I'll have someone show them where to go."

The major began to relax as the captain agreed to his demands.

"If the rest of your men will follow Lieutenant Todd he can show them where they will be staying for the time being. I'll have the mess hall prepare something for you to eat."

"Thank you Captain." The major nodded as he looked around. "Are you still expecting a German attack?"

"No." Captain Kaufman shook his head. "I think that ship has sailed."

"Excuse me?"

"Their offensive has failed." The captain explained. "The window of opportunity has closed."

The major nodded. "Just as well, I understand that you sent most of the units back to their bases."

"Almost all of them Major, yours being an exception."

"Our mission will be finished by morning." The major promised. "We will head home then."

"No rush Major." The captain assured him. "We have room for you."

The major turned and gave orders for his men to enter the base on foot. Captain Kaufman waited until the vehicles had been taken away before he signaled his men. The Germans had no sooner set foot on the base than they found themselves surrounded and covered by 50 caliber machine guns. The major looked around slowly before raising his hands.

"Tell your men to drop their weapons Major." The captain ordered.

The major ordered his men to surrender.

"How did you know?"

"You shouldn't have used patrol cars to scout for your unit." Captain Kaufman answered. "Our scouts are the suspicious type."

"The sergeant in the jeep?"

"That's the one." The captain confirmed.

"I should have had them shot." The major growled.

"I wouldn't have liked that." Troy smiled as he stepped out into the open. "This was a pretty good idea Major, yours?"

"No," the major snarled, "I would have come in shooting."

"Maybe that other unit will try that." Troy suggested.

"What other unit?" The German asked.

Troy raised his eyebrows. "You're good Major. I still can't decide if their American or German."

"American of course."

"Of course."

Because Troy had seen the other unit he and his men were required to stay close to the gate until that unit arrived. They waited for hours but the officer in charge must have changed his mind and turned around. It was dark before Captain Kaufman decided that they weren't going to show.

"Very good Sergeant." The captain ordered the guard returned to normal. "You and your men can get some sleep now. I promise no one will disturb you if I have to stand guard at your door myself."

"Just let us take our rifles to bed with us Captain, I guarantee no one will bother us more than once."

The captain laughed. "I don't think so Sergeant. I'd hate to have to lock you up for shooting some poor soldier who opened the wrong door."

Troy shrugged. "It was just a thought."

"Get some sleep Sergeant; I think we can handle things from here. Thank you for your invaluable help."

"I think you would have done fine even without our help." Troy answered.

"You definitely made it easier, but I thank you for the vote of confidence Sergeant. I have orders to send you back to your regular base as soon as possible."

Troy groaned.

"But it won't be possible for at least three days." The captain continued. "There's a plane leaving three days from now, you'll be on it. That should give you time to catch up on the sleep you lost." The captain smiled. "That way if your commanding officer has another job for you you will be well rested."

"Thank you Captain. Are you sure you won't change your mind about letting us sleep with our rifles?"

Captain Kaufman laughed again but shook his head. "Afraid not. But I will arrange for someone to stand guard, I have a base to run."

Troy nodded and led his tired, dusty men out of the office. Before turning in they decided to take time to shower. On their return to their room they were surprised to find a guard standing in front of their door. Troy paused before stepping into the room. The guard looked at him curiously.

"If anyone tries to disturb us, shoot them."

The guard looked surprised, then confused. He stared at Troy, waiting for an explanation.

"Forget it." Troy sighed. "Just tell them to go away." He followed his men into the room and shut the door.