"I think Herr Nis-Ni...Herr Bob would have a few issues with that, sir. He is rather hairy though isn't he? I guess these unterseeboot men don't get much chance to care for personal hygiene."

When Enigma turned around, he noticed that one of the POW's was jogging.

Dummköpfe, alles Dummköpfe.
They will learn soon that being here at the castle will suck out all of your energy. No need to take a hike just for fun.


Gemeiner Enigma started slowly walking along the fence while keeping his eyes on the POW.

"Ah you are most kind. Thank you. A smoke is the only pleasure I have been able to enjoy lately, but perhaps that is about to change?" Nisgeis said as he accepted an offered cigarette and light from Tinman764. He smiled broadly, but with cold eyes.

“Now, of course I am merely a humble servant of the great German war machine and I know as much as you, perhaps even less, I am sure. You are a man who likes to keep himself informed after all and it is all I can do these days to keep abreast of the rapidly changing political situation at home. However, let us take a few facts into account and see if we can make sense of them.”

“We know that we are on a secret base in a remote part of the world, which for all intents and purposes does not exist. We also know that a submarine full to the brim with the latest technology from the enemy just happens to land a hundred yards from an observation tower in a base, that you will recall, does not exist.”

“This submarine was, shall we say, performing an attack of ‘dubious’ merit. Namely, an attack on a heavily defended convoy during broad day light so close to an enemy coast that any major damage would have invited disaster and scuttling of the boat.”

“Yet, no scuttling took place.”

“When a sub that should have sunk arrives at a base that does not exist, people are expected to ask certain questions. It’s natural. We all know that.”

“But, surely you can see how discussion of a Britisher spy does not do our cause any good? There is of course no Britisher spy, but you can of course see how his position could be exposed merely by mentioning it to the prisoners. To have such an influence on a mission, the rank achieved must have been high. It would be a shame to nullify his patience with our impatience.”

“I’d like you to refrain from discussing further about Britisher spies and how they communicated with the task force that attacked them. Oberst Hunter IXC will be able to extricate them after a fashion, one at a time without arousing suspicion, if he is clever, which I believe him to be. Pass the word to the rest of the men that no one is to mention Britisher spies.”

“Oh, but my firend, too much of this oppressive work… Tell me… you have a wife? Girlfriend? What are her favourite flowers?”. Nisgeis drew a last drag on the cigarette given to him by Tinman764, let it drop to the floor and without a thought ground his heel into it, until it was dead.

He then turned and strode off towards the prized British submarine to search it from Bow to Sterm thoroughly.

*sitting in the bunkhouse

Hmm... (says to himself) what can one do in a pow camp...

Well, lets see, nothing. Not even a damn stack of cards! Hmm, and the blank walls. Cant even play I spy... wait... i just said spy, probably not the best thing to say around our new kraut friends. hmm...

*thinks to himself
Best to probably go to bed, who knows what will happen next. (Laughs) one of those krauts might go crazy an... Naaaa....

"Not today mate as they say in your tiny island of a country. Best you stew with rats."

"Roses..." he says to the vanishing figure of Nisgeis. "Um.."
*Lights another cigarette*
Surely when an SS officer confides so much to 1 person.. that must have a meaning.... right?
"Scheiße", mutters Tinman - I forgot to ask him if I can take part in the interigations!
Ok, so he doesn't want the others talking about English spies... I must make sure they don't - but he told me about it, so that means he must trust me with this information.
It's about time something interesting happened on this rock!

*Heads down to the Dormitories, finds some paper and a pen and in large letters posts a sign outside the door to the dorm - *

"BY ORDER OF THE SS -
THERE IS TO BE NO TALK OF ENGLISH SPIES!"

That should do it!

Then I can not fetch the water! * about-turns and goes for a kip! *

Rear settles down with a book in the North Tower, wishing that the Oberst had granted him a few POWs to start rebuilding the exterior wall...

He wonders which soldiers will be on kitchen duty tonight - none of the lower ranks were particularly good cooks and he hadn't had a good meal for weeks.

"I'll make sure that damn English cook Bakkels isn't going to be let near our food any time soon. No man that smelly should be in charge of food!"

As I turn to leave the POW compound I see Nisgeis and Tinman on the rampart. Both smoking. Tinman looking a bit nervous. I wonder what that is all about. Oh well, off to the dormitories. Time for a shower as I'm a might bit sweaty from my gardening. Besides, I'm on leave. I should go into town and tie one one. Oh strudel, I'm on this wretched island. Go to town. Tie one on. Yea....sure.

* L J cant sleep, goes to the bunkhouse door and its slightly ajar * Good grief, I am more tired than I thought. * opens the door and steps into the fenced compound* Hey there is the Chief, what's he up to! " Chief, just going to take the water inside and I shall join you in a mo. "

After grabbing a couple bits of bread from the cookhouse, Tinman strolls back over to the dorm - stopping briefly to ensure the poster is still clearly visible.
No beer today, not after last night.. god I stunk! It's been a long day and I'm sure I wont be missed... I have a feeling I'm going to need to stay fresh for whatever these damn Englishmen have in store for us.

*Climbs into his bed and falls asleep*

Thirty seven, thirty eight, thirty nine.

Thirty nine steps. There are thirty nine steps between each pole holding the wiring of the compound. Half of thirty nine is....

Pioneer does the maths quickly in his head.

Nineteen and a half. Nine and a half feet is the halfway point between each post.

Pioneer walks back alongside the perimeter fence, mentally counting off the paces again.

Sixteen, seventeen eighteen.

He scrapes his feet along the soil, a red plume of dust rises as he toe digs in and a red stain taints his black boots. He stops, and looks back to the south where the closest turret stands. He turns further, the north turret is away. He finds the halfway point of the halfway section of the wire compound away from the castle.

Here.

He looks through the fence and beyond the cleared grass, there is something out there, on the edge of those trees. And he smells water, water being washed downstream through some rocks. The fresh smell and the cool of water.

He has found where the weakest link, where the fence will give the most rise, if he had to go under.

He touches his pockets where his possessions use to be, they are gone. He looks to the sky and back at his shadow. It is late afternoon, night is coming. Darkness will fall.

Upon arriving to the dormatories


"This man is completely off his rocker! English spies? These men came by uboat! Not many spies in the forward battery let alone any other compartment in the boat. I'm thinking the beer has really gone to his head! Besides, he smells of pee. Perhaps there was something said on that rampart after all. I think this island has made everyone mad!"

"No need. I'm going to get my head down"

*Tarrasque heads to his bunk and closes his eyes.*

Yes I really must follow suit. Hmm I have an idea which may help me sleep. * After quick observation of the sleeping crew inside, and Pioneer out In the compound * I must be quick, ugh uh shuffle shuffle uh ahh ! Time for bed. * With a satisfied grin petty officer L J eyes lids roll shut. *