Lover next trench
--------------------
This is a story of one of
Balto`s and Jenna`s kids,
Renna.
I had to make Balto and Jenna
live for little longer. Well, let`s say for much
longer (for a dog). Or had to „delay“ the Serum run to Nome for a little. So,
this is historically impossible. I know, I am bad one. But it’s just fanfic…
Story takes part in Europe,
Somewhere in France at WW2, respectively after D Day. West front: It`s summer / autumn of 1944 and Allied forces are
advancing towards Germany....
---------------------
Renna didn`t
know what`s happening
exactly. Her peaceful life in Nome was suddenly interrupted. She knew her
master and many other men were talking about war in Europe, but she didn`t pay attention to it.
But one day
her master came home, he looked worried and sad. He said to his wife: “Love, I
am going to
“Don`t cry
for me, darling. I will come back, I promise.”
“But... who
will look after you!?” she cried.
“Renna`s
going with me, too... you see, I will not be at the first line. They need
rescue and guard dogs. And of course their masters...”
Renna
didn`t understand again, but she knew something big is going to happen.
“When are
you leaving?”
“Tommorow
at lunchtime”
“Oh,
Thomas...” she cried and hugged him.
Renna
realized she would go, too. And she needed to tell her parents.
-----------------
“So, you
are leaving?” Balto asked her after she had told him. “I knew you wouldn`t stay in
“I... I
don`t know this. But to somewhere far away. I am going with Thomas.”
“That`s strange...
somewhere far away, you say? Huh...
“No... I
think it would be VERY far.”
“Wherever
you go, don`t forget about us. You are well-bred, remember it. And you are my
daughter. Follow your master everywhere.” Balto had tears in his eyes.
“I will
return. I will...” Renna cried too and hugged his father and mother like Thomas`
wife did.
----------------
The next
day after lunch they left
Next days
were so hectic. Renna didn`t remembered clearly what happened. Quick, quicker!
No time to lose! Everything went quickly. She saw lot of new face for the first
and for the last time. She saw many places, she wouldn`t believe she would see.
And then... there was sail to
How happy
she would have been, if she could speak with her parents. She saw them in her
dream. But... it was just dream, after all.
“Mum...
Dad....” she whispered in tears as she was watching the ocean.
Finally
-----------------
„Private Thomas Kinley?”
“Yes sir!”
“You are
assigned to the fourth recon team. They need dogs. Last one assigned to them,
and his master, got hit from a Kraut mortar. Everything we could find was just
a piece if its collar, hehe..”
“And what
about basic training, sir?”
“Oh, you
don`t need any. Just try not to die. That`s all. Are you good shooter?”
“Quite
good, sir.”
“Good, go with this to sergeant Napper, private. “ Thomas was given a sheet of paper.
So much for the training, he thought.
„Thank you, sir! Renna, come!“
She followed her master to the sergeant. She didn`t
understand them, but when it was over, Thomas kneeled infront of her and said:
„Now, girl, we are in. Take care.“ And he gave her a new collar which was
saying Renna was now member of the U.S. Army. Like her master. He got collar,
too. Smaller, and it wasn`t
called collar. It was called Dog tags.
------------------
Few hours
later, they met their comrades. And Renna met her first friends in
One of
them, called Jon, was young husky. In fact, he was the youngest dog in the
team, but he had proved himself brave already. Second, malamute was informal
leader of the team. Although he was 5 or 6, he was experienced like an old
soldier, brave and strong, despite his name. His name was Mut and other dogs
called him ussually sergeant Mut. And the last one, Danny... well, let`s say if
he was a man, he would have glasses, unkempt hairs and sit behind the table in
an office. Sometimes absent-minded and very shy, nervous, but clever. And only
he seemed to be afriad of death. Jon, very talkative and friendly one suited
Renna well, and Mut... he said: “Don`t
be afraid, I will look after you. Like your dad, if you wouldn`t mind...”
“I
wouldn`t, sergeant...”
“Oh, don`t
call me a sergeant,” he smiled. “I am not a sergeant like sergeant Napper is.”
Sergeant Napper was the leader of fourt recon team. He was about 47 yers old
and his men held him in a great esteem.
“You... you
are the one... w-...who will replace Tim?” Danny asked her.
“Replace?
What happened to him?”
Danny`s
face was filled up with fear and he gasped. “He.... he... he was hit by something!
It just came from nowhere... and... BANG! He... he was no more!” Danny
described it like it would have been something unbelievable.
“Pardon
him... he... is just...” Jon apologized.
“No, I
understand him.”
He was no more...
“So, Renna,
would you like have something to eat? And I don`t speak about that awful slop
we have. I speak about meat... or they call it the meat in here...” Mut grinned
and headed to the field kitchen, followed by others.
“I haven`t
eaten a good meat since I left
Renna came
to life, suddenly: “Did you say
“Yes, I
did. Oh, don`t tell me you are from there, too!”
“I am!”
“Well, what
a coincidence! But in fact, I am originally from
After a
while, they managed to reach field kitchen and soldiers, who were having their
lunch.
“Here we
are. Everything you need is to look adorable, lovable and needy. Got it?” Jon
instructed Renna. “Try it... it`s not so hard...”
“Jon, but
this is a begging and....”
“So what?
It`s beneath your dignity? If it is, you can stay hungry, but me....” and he
came near one soldier and began whinning and whimpering, pretending he is soooo
hungry.
“Oh, look
who we have here!” Man tapped Jon`s head. “You hungry?” Ron licked his own nose
and barked. “Okay, I think I can spare little food.” Man gave bit of his ration
to Jon, who waved his tail and ran away. “Hm... not so much, but it works.” He
told Renna smiling.
“Try it...”
‘And why
not? I will try; it won`t cost me anything,’ Renna thought and tried to beg as
the best as she could.
-------------------
But the
next day they had to move. They were sent for inspection of a little village.
Altought they were taken by jeeps, they had to make two final kilometers by
foot. “Check you guns! Always reload before going into the battle. Watch your
back. If you see the flash, it`s already too late. Stick together. And
remember... it`s just recon. If you see enemy, no shooting, just get out.”
Napper gave last advices and so Mut did: “No barking if necessary. Don`t try to
be a heroes. It`s better for you to be living cowards than dead heroes for now.
Watch your backs! They`ve got dogs, too. And try to not die. Clear?”
“Yeah,
don`t worry!” Jon was optimistic as always.
“I still
don`t know, if....” Danny panicked.
“Living
cowards are better than dead heroes?” Renna wondered.
“Well, for
me yes.” Mut replied, “I want to live at least a day longer...”
They were
at the outskirts of the village. “Okay, men. Cover yourself... but it appears
no Krauts are here!” Napper whispered, but then...
A gunshot.
“Oh damn!
It`s like a practice range! To the village! Run run run! Hide yourself in the
buildings! Let`s get them!” Napper started followed by his team and dogs.
Gunshots began to be more frequent. One hit the ground just in front of Renna.
She panicked, so she did the only thing she could. He followed his master who
followed the sergeant. But after reaching first buildings she didn`t hide
herself and continued running in fear. And then she saw barn.
‘Yes, I
will be safe, there,’ she recalled playing in barn when she was a pup. Of
course!
Door was
opened narrowly, but she squeezed in full speed and then... she hit something
soft, warm and furry.
“Oh, sorry
I didn`t want to...”
And then
she saw the most beautiful dog she had ever seen. He was young German shepherd,
with sad eyes and sad smile. “It`s okay, are you all right?”
She stood
up and shook. “Yes...” He noticed her collar, but said: “What you are doing
here, it`s unsafe... you can be shot!”
“So? And
what about you?” Renna barked. He looked helplessly. “You know...”
“Oh, you
have a collar too! Let me see!” Renna made it for dog`s collar, and although he
tried to dodge, she managed to catch it with her fangs.
‘It`s
different than mine....’ she thought and then a badge slipped out from dog`s
dense fur.
And Renna
saw the cross-shaped symbol she was told it was enemy`s. She made few steps back in awe, but
there was nothing behind her, but solid wall. First enemy she met...
Dog`s look
slipped on the badge and he whispered: “So that....” and then he looked back at
Renna and said in gently voice: “I won`t hurt you...”
“Stay away
from me!” she cried.
‘Dad, Mum,
Mut, Jon, Danny! Where are you when I need you?’
----------------
“Sarge!
Kraut in this house at left!”
“See him,
Kinley! Cover me! I will try to get him!”
“Hey, Tom,
where is yer dog?” it was McShaw, Danny`s master.
“Renna!
Where... oh damn!”
Mut was
rallying his troops. “Where is Renna?!” Others were silent. Mut sniffed and
tried to catch her scent.
‘Yes, no
doubts about it.... she ran this way...’
“You two...
stay here... or hide yourselves somewhere near! I am going to find her!”
----------------
“Stay...
away... from me...” Renna growled, but despite her warning he was advancing
towards her. ‘Will I be able to kill him? Or... just hurt him...?’
Then he
suddenly stopped and quietly said: “I`m Wolf... what`s your name, please?”
‘No, no,
no! It isn`t supposed to be this way! He is an enemy! He is supposed to kill
me, not to talk with me... what... should I do?’
“I don`t
tell my name to the enemies!”
“But I do.
And you are the most beautiful enemy I have ever seen... Please, what`s your
name?”
‘It`s a
just name, anyway. I will tell him. Maybe then he will leave...’
“I`m
Renna...”
He closed
his sad eyes and whispered: “Beautiful name... I am sorry for that... Please,
tell me, will I see you again?” And there was so much hope and wish in this
question and he appealed her so much she stopped growling and said: “I don`t
know.... You are enemy, after all...”
“I will die
if I won`t see you again...”
“YOU WILL
DIE RIGHT HERE!” Mut was standing in the door, and looked like a demon.
Wolf didn`t
wait for a moment and he ran away, but he managed to add: “Renna, I will find
you...”
And he was
gone. Renna was shocked. Was he foe really? He was so kind to her....
“Renna, I
say, are you all right?”
“Oh,
Mut....”
“Easy...
it`s good now... I am here.”
Renna
hugged him and began to cry. He sighed and whispered: “Allright... he is
gone...”
“But...
you... didn`t tell me...”
“I know...
they aren`t all bad. Some of them are nice, but then they will stab you in your
back...”
----------------------
After short
gunfight, Germans decided to fall back. They were from recon team, too.
Wolf ran to
the place where he parted with his companions. He had to think about Renna all
the time. “Ah, here you are, Wolfgang, where have you been? Hiding yourself as
always?” one rottweiler smiled on him. “Oh, Manfred, you ....” Wolf laughed, too.
“Enough,
you two!” Doberman interrupted their thoughtful dialogue. They both stopped
talking. “The truth is, you were both hiding, isn`t it?”
“No,
sir...”
“Shut up!
Another retreat... and why? Because of your poor...”
“Pardon me,
herr Feldwebel?” Doberman stopped as well. Right behind him stood another
doberman, but bigger and more friendly-looking.
“Och, herr
Leutnant...”
“Good...
another retreat... yes... but it`s not Wolfgang`s and Manfred`s fault. They are
good and brave soldiers like you, Reinhardt. It would be futile to fight for
one little village. We are loosing this war...”
“Herr
Leutnant?!”
“Yes, we
are losing this war... whether you like it or not. But now go... we are still
in range...”
They went
silently along witht their masters. Wolf made it to his lieutenant: “Can I
speak with you, Wilhelm?”
”Whatever you want, Wolf...”
And that
was the reason Reinhardt hated Wolfgang so much. He was the lieutenant`s favourite
one. He allowed just few persons to call him Wilhelm, not only by Herr
Leutnant. Wilhelm treated Wolfgang as his own son. ‘What a protection!’
Reinhardt thought.
“I ...
think... I met my love today...” Wolf whispered.
“Oh,
really? And where...?”
“In the
village, you know...”
“Wait...
there were no other dogs than...”
“There
weren`t......”
“I see...
you fell in love with your enemy...”
“But
Wilhelm, she is so... beautiful...charming...”
“You see...
we can`t talk right now about it... wait to the camp. That scoundrel could hear
us....” He was speaking about Reinhardt.
------------------
“And then
he told me that he won`t hurt me...”
“Liar...
they cannot be trusted....”
“But you
didn`t seen his eyes...”
“He is an
enemy... I usually don`t look into the eyes of someone who wants to kill me.”
“Easy, Jon.
And Renna, forget him. Being familiar with an enemy is called treason, here.
And people are usually shot for it.”
“Mut,
but....”
“Look,
Renna, no! Even if you were ... uhhh... somebody really famous and important, I
would say the same thing. Forget him! Now and forever!”
Napper
decided to stay in the village for the rest of the day and night. He wanted to
make sure enemies won`t come back, but he strongly doubt it. So his team
secured perimeter and after that they had something to eat. Dogs got some
canned food, and although it was disgusting, they ate it gratefully. Mut said
they should have eaten every meal like it was their last. But Renna didn`t
touch her ration even a little bit. “Something wrong with it?” Mut wondered.
“No, no...
Take it, if you want to... I am not hungry at all.”
“You must
eat...”
She didn`t
say a word.
“Oh, it`s
about him, isn`t it?”
“Mut, I
can`t erase it from my memory like – it seems – you can.”
“I wish I
could do such... look, it will be better tomorrow.” he smiled.
-----------------
“What?!
What do you want to do?”
“To see her
once more, it`s bad?” Wolfgang gazed on Wilhelm.
“Be sure
it`s bad! And dangerous, too!” Wilhelm was obviously more worried it was
dangerous than he was worried about it`s bad. “To sneak behind enemy lines to
see one girl you mustn`t be with?”
“Yes...
it`s all I want to!”
“You won`t
go anywhere alone!”
“But Wilhe-
....”
“I will go
with you.” Wilhelm grinned. And he continued, while Wolfgang was shocked. “We
can say it`s recon. It will be less suspicious than if you would go alone. I
will cover your back.”
“Wha-“
“Wait until
the dusk.... they stayed in village, I bet.”
-----------------
Night came.
Renna was watching countryside. If she had been at home, she would have seen
aurora borealis and heard wolf`s howling. But here, sky was illuminated by distant
explosions and instead of wolves machines howled here. She left her companions
sleeping. Danny was on guard, but she got rid of him. And now she was walking
aroung village.
“Renna,
it`s you?”
That wasn`t
Danny, Jon or Mut. But...
“Wolfgang?”
she amazed.
“Yes? I
said I will find you, so...”
“Go away!
Now! I will not speak with you!”
“Why... you
can`t or you don`t want to?”
“Wolf, go
away, please! Don`t make it harder for me.”
“Renna,“
but he stopped when he heard distant voices.
“You mean
you let her go... alone!”
“B-b-but
sergeant, I...”
“Danny,
shut up! It`s war! She can be death now, just because of you!”
Danny
sobbed. He wasn`t a good type for a soldier.
Renna
panicked: “Wolf... it`s my sergeant! Run away! You already met him before!”
He didn`t wait
for a second, but he blurted out: “I am maybe mad, but I want you to know, that-”
And he kissed her!
“Renna,
where... ahhh, here you are! What are you doing here?!” Mut cried, when he saw
her.
“I just
took a brief walk, Mut!”
Ohmygoddidhekissmerightnow?
“Oh.... HOW
MANY TIMES I WILL HAVE TO TELL YOU AGAIN? WE ARE IN A WAR!”
“But I am
okay...,” she lied.
Yeshekissedmeandthiscanmeanjustonething!?
“Home, now!
Tomorrow, you will have to explain. And you too, Danny!” Mut ordered.
-----------------
Wolf and Wilhelm
ran away. “What... what it was supposed to mean?” Wilhelm wasn`t as angry as
Mut, but still it was something shocking for him...
But
Wolfgang laughed hapilly: “You see? She is beautiful, nice, friendly...”
“Yes... and
she is enemy, too. Do you understand what did you do? You are just young fool
in love!”
“Most
beautiful thing on the earth, Wilhelm...”
“Herr
Leutnant!”
Reinhardt
was very happy he caught them doing something he was sure was against
directives. He grinned evilly and slyly. He got them now. He was sure Wilhelm
didn`t deserve his rank. He thought he, Reinhardt, would have been better
leader, too. Wilhelm was just too soft and that wasn`t a quality of a good
leader, according to Reinhardt.
“It`s you,
Herr Feldwebel? Good. We are back from recon mission. Enemies stayed in village
they took this afternoon. I am glad you went meet us and make sure we are
safe.”
Reinhardt
had to admit this. Althought soft and gentle, Wilhelm was clever and he could
turn every situation into the way he wanted to. But diplomatic skill was
nothing Reinhardt admired.
“Yes, Herr
Leutnant. I`m glad you are safe.” Of course he wasn’t.
------------------
“Mut, I was
just...”
“I promised
I would take care of you. And I am not a liar. What would I say to yer parents,
if something happened to you?!” Mut couldn`t be angry at her, he at least
pretended to be so.
“Nothing...
“
“You have
no mum and dad, then?”
“Of course
I have, but....”
“So don`t
want me to say them their beloved daughter is no longer alive just because of
her folly.”
“And what
about your parents?”
“They are
both dead... but this makes things just easier. No one will have to to tell
them. Ha!”
Then he
laughed and said: “Renna, to bed, Danny, continue... Jon will replace you in a
hour...”
Renna
obeyed Mut’s order. She curled down, but she could fall asleep. She had to
think about handsome enemy who loved her so much he risked his life to see her.
And he was soft and gentle, too…
I wish to see him again…it is possible I like
him?
-----------------------
“We will take
the village back. Just pack of Tommies won`t scare us, mein Herren.” German
commander Hartmann decided. “We will have a mortar support. It will be easy, I
am convinced.”
“Yes, sir!”
men were eager and they trusted their leader. He could be compared to Wilhelm,
like Mut could be compared to Napper.
He knew
that re-taking of this village was pointless, but he was ordered to.
“We will
wait till morning and then we will go. Take dogs, too. Any questions?”
There
weren`t any.
But Wolf
had lot of them. “Wilhelm, tell me, what if Renna would be…”
“It`s a
war, Wolf. And although you love her, she is still our enemy.”
“No! She is
not my enemy! She is enemy of yours!” Wolf shouted out to Wilhelm`s face.
But Wilhelm
remained easy and pleasant. “Yes, yes… I forgot. I was in love, too, so I know
how love can be selfish.”
“But… what
if…” Wolfgang calmed and was ashamed for that recent shout.
“Look,”
Wilhelm whispered, “I can’t promise you she won`t die. We will go and see. We
have no other choice.”
----------------------
Renna followed Mut to the barn where she met Wolfgang for
the first time. Napper decided the barn would be their headquarters, so men put
almost all their things here, weapons, munition and everything what could have
been useful. Who wasn‘t on guard was chatting with others here and pretended
there was no war. As dogs entered, Thomas and Napper turned their direction and
Napper grinned: “See, they are
right here. I knew Mut would take care of her.”
“I see,
John...” Thomas and Napper became more familiar when they found out they were neighbours,
practically.
“Well, it
seems our masters became friends...” Mut stated.
“You mean
that...”
“Ah, I
forgot you are new. Yes, Sergeant is my master.” He grinned and headed to Jon,
who lay near kerosene lamp, which was found by somebody.
“And what
about Jon, he didn`t- “
But renna
was interrupted by Mut, who whispered: “Never talk about master in front of
him. His master was killed the first day he joined us, but McShaw adopted him,
although he has got Danny already. I know, there were some problems with it,
but sergeant took care and then everything went smoothly. I spoke with Jon
about his master. He was quite strict and nearly heartless and he treated Jon
roughly, but I think Jon mourns his loss.”
“That`s
sad...”
Mut nodded.
“So, anything new?” he asked Jon.
“No, not at
all.” Jon lounged as an overgrown pup. “It seems it will be calm night...”
-----------------
Wolf was
watching village from safe distance. Tomorrow, they will attack it. He hated being
a soldier. And now, he would give everything for not to be.
“Hi,
Wolfgang,” Manfred approached him from behind, “What`s the matter with you,
guy?”
Manfred was
strong rottweiler, older than Wilhelm and Wolfgang, and proud father of three
little pups. Other dogs admired and loved him for his strenght and wisdom.
“Manfred,
tell me, where did you met your mate for the first time?”
“I don`t
know exactly, but I know it was raining and... maybe it was restaurant, I don`t
remeber it clearly. But it was love at the first sight. Why are you
interested?”
“Never
mind...” Wolf kept watching the village and Manfred noticed that.
“Are you
afraid of tomorrow?”
“Yes, but
it’s not because of my life, but-“
“But
because of the life of somebody you love, isn’t it?” Manfred finished it and
Wolfgang nodded.
“That’s
normal. I am afraid of it, too. This fear is nothing you can get used to. But
if we protect each other and take good cover, then what can-”
“Manfred,
look, it’s not about protection. I mean I am afraid of life of somebody who I
am supposed to kill.”
“So then
don’t kill him... or, in your case, her.” Manfred obviously knew it. But he
wasn`t shocked or upset or something else. He didn`t tell Wolf it was bad to
love enemy and so on.
But who
told him?
“How do you
know?”
“Oh, do you
think I am blind, deaf and totally stupid? I can realize somebody fell in
love.”
“And what
do you think?”
“You want
me to tell you whether it is good or bad? I can`t judge it. If you feel it`s good,
then... I can`t find anything bad about love. And if you think it`s bad, and
you don`t seem like this, you wouldn`t even started. It`s your choice.”
“You can be
very helpful, I see. You didn`t help me at all.”
Manfred
just smiled and replied: “How can I help you when you already made up your mind?”
Wolf didn`t
say a word for a while. And then he whispered: “I wish I was as wise as you
are.”
“You will
be, Wolfgang, one day, you will be. And you will be even smarter, I am
convinced.”
--------------------
For a
moment, Renna thought she was at home. Everyone was joking and was in a good
mood, she was chatting with Jon and Mut and night was warm and whole barn was
full of pleasant feelings. She fell asleep just near Jon and then cuddled
against him. She didn`t even noticed when Jon left to replace Danny.
Although
her body was in the barn somewhere in
---------------------
“I wonder
what they are doing right now...”
Wolfgang
was sure Manfred was talking about his family.
“After the
war, they will tell you, I am sure...”
“Thanks.
But I think my road will come to the end tomorrow morning.”
“What? Are
you kidding?”
“If I was
kidding, I would tell you a joke.”
“I have the
same feeling, really.”
“I am not
afraid of death, but who will tell my family I will never come back?” Manfred
sighed. Now, it was serious.
“Nobody,
because you will come back.” Wolfgang was scared. He never heard speech like
this from Manfred.
“Promise me
one thing...” Manfred asked him, “If anything happens to me, don`t take care
but make sure she is safe.”
“Manfred,
I...”
“Just
promise me, maybe you won`t have second chance to do so.”
“Allright,
I promise.”
They both
watched the village for a while, and then Wilhelm and Reinhardt came. They sat
down near Manfred and Wilhelm said: “Men, if there is bullet for you, you are
going to get it. But tomorrow, there will be a lot of bullets and each of us
has got only one. So yours one may not be even fired. I know you are afraid. I don`t
know anybody who isn`t. But I am pleased you are not afraid of your death.” he
wanted to say something else, but he stopped. Even Reinhardt was quiet.
------------------
It was just
before dawn.
“Schmidt, Jung...
you are the best marksmen in our squadron. You will cover us with sniper
rifles. If you see enemy who is careless enough to show even little bit of him,
shoot him. If you see anybody firing at us, shoot him.”
“Yes, sir!”
“And Jung,
I will take care of Manfred, you can be sure, although I can`t promise you he
will survive. But we need every man and dog.”
Jung just
nodded and picked up his gun and made sure it was loaded.
“And the
rest... we will split up into two teams. First team, led by me, will try to
draw enemy fire and locate enemies, so second team, which will remain back, can
provide covering fire and direct mortar fire. We will have to wait; I want
mortar to shoot at least five times. We will use the craters and haystacks for
cover. And after that, first team, followed by second, will rush in,
eliminating all resistance, and for that purpose I need all dogs.
I know it`s
bit cynical, but better dogs than anyone of us. I expect enemy uses the old
barn as base. So try to hit it with first mortar shot.”
He took a
brief look at his men and continued: “They don`t expect this. We can take them
by surprise. We have about fifteen minutes till light. Check your guns. First team: Schwab, Böhm, Weiss, Fuchs, Klein, Brandt, Schiffer,
Vogt, Mauer, Richter, follow me.
Wilhelm, Manfred, come!” Wilhelm and Manfred were followed by Böhm`s Wolfgang and Richter`s Reinhardt.
“In fifteen
minutes from now shoot the mortar!”
--------------------
Napper was
nervous. There was something in the air, but he didn`t know what. He woke up
his men and said: “Take your guns. Something is going to happen. Take cover in
the buildings.”
If he
hadn`t been Sergeant Napper, they wouldn`t have paid attention to him. But he was Sergeant Napper, the same who risked
his life for them and treated them like his sons.
“Yeah, and
dogs will stay here. We don`t need anything that could show Krauts we are
waiting for them.”
-------------------
It was the longest fifteen minutes in Wolfgang`s life. First team made it safe to the cover and now it could begin. Just three minutes... two... one...
Allright, where is the mortar?
-------------------
Kinley and
McShaw were crouching behind low hedge right in front of the first house of the
village. They had been told to try to make it to the old foxholes and trench
about half a kilometer behind the village, if the situation would have been
critical. These foxholes were remains of recent German fortifications, but, as
Napper said, it could serve them well, too.
“Tom, do
you think they will come?”
“I don`t
think so, but... it is possible, so...”
And the
first mortar shell exploded about twenty metres behind them and hit one of the
houses.
“Well...
that`s bad!”
-----------------
It was bad,
indeed.
-----------------
“Wait, four
to go!” Hartmann ordered. Dogs were eager like men, but Wolfgang gasped and
stuttered in fear to Wilhelm: “She... she is in... the barn... I know it! She
is right there!”
“What?!”
“I know it!
She is-“
Second
shell exploded and hit the ground just in front of the barn.
“Wolf, you
stay here! Don’t go outside! I will take care if...”
Third shell
hit the barn.
---------------------
Renna
jumped out. Whole place was covered in smoke and dust. There was fire, too. It
spread when kerosene lamp fell down and set the rests of hay on fire. “Mut!
Jon! Danny!” she cried coughing.
“I am here!”
somebody shouted in her ear. It was Mut. “Danny and Jon are safe; I will get
you out of here!”
“Mut, I
don`t see anything!”
Mut
coughed. There was more and more of smoke and fire was spreading fast. “We need
to get out of here!”
One of the
wooden joists fell down and raised more dust and smoke. “It`s a prison, Mut! We
will die here!”
“Yes, but
it will be quick, they left all grenades here…”
---------------------
The fourth
and the fifth shell fell down and the first team advanced.
“Here they
are! Fire at will!” McShaw yelled and fired few rounds from his Garand over the
hedge. In that moment each one of Napper`s men fired from his gun. German
rifles responded. McShaw stood up once again to fire, but one of the German
snipers saw him before. There was buzz and sound of flesh-hitting bullet.
McShaw fell down holding his shoulder and shouted: “Ahh, you bastards... my god, that pain...”
Kinley
kneeled and tried to drag McShaw away to the safer location, while bullets flew
over his head. “McShaw got it! Medic!”
One of his
comrades, White, came running and took care of McShaw.
“Just
shoulder, flesh wound, you will be okay, pal.”
Kinley took
cover behind the well. The first enemies were just near the hedge.
Napper was
good marksman, but now he was so nervous he didn`t hit nearly anybody. He knew
something was going to happen, but he didn`t expected anything like this.
---------------------
Wolfgang
stayed in the cover, he was ordered to. He watched Wilhelm, Reinhardt, Manfred
and others rushing towards the village. And he felt ashamed.
Wilhelm was
very fast and it seemed there was no bullet for him today.
“Follow me,
we are almost there!” he spirited others up and he didn`t even notice that
Manfred fell to the ground.
Just few
final steps... Okay, here I go to save enemy for the sake of my best friend.
----------------------
“Just let
me think, Renna, I will...”
“Mut...
that flames...” she coughed.
Then one of
the cartriges, which was left here by soldiers, exploded. Renna jerked and
jumped aside and that was the best she could do. After a second, part of a
wooden joist fell down right on the place, where she had been standing before. She
was alive, but separated from Mut.
“I don`t
want to die in here! Mut!”
No
response.
“Mut?!” She
yelled in despair, but her voice faded away in the sound of fire. Then she saw
someone rising. It was Mut. Few roof slabs fell down on him, but they were
weakened by fire they didn`t hurt him so much.
“Renna!
Where are you?”
“Righ
here...!”
“Good,
forgive me, please. I failed to protect you.”
“Not yet,
Mut, not yet!”
------------------------
Danny and
Jon forgot about Mut and Renna and were running against enemy.
“Hey, it`s
good it`s not raining! You know, rain can ruin one`s day perfectly!” Jon joked.
“You are
right, especially in the morning!” Danny responded.
“You know,
that could be the last joke in yer life!”
“Ye- Hey! I
see somebody righ in front of us... get him!”
Wilhelm was
alone in the middle of the enemy teritorry. But smoke rising from the barn led
him perfectly. But now, his road was blocked by two foes.
‘Perfect,
how will I explain I am here to save one of them?’
“That`s the
end, Kraut!” Danny leapt, but he hit somebody else. It was Reinhardt. He stood
up slowly, but then he yelled: “Herr Leutnant, I will take care of them, just
keep up the attack!”
Wilhelm
stayed in a deep shock for a while. He knew Reinhardt very well. He knew his
ambitions and his thoughts, so now he was amazed Reinhardt did such thing like
risking his life for one he hated.
‘Well,
maybe war can really change everyone.’ he thought and he ran away abandoning
Reinhardt.
“Now, you
have bussiness with me, Tommies.”
“We will
kill you!”
“Whatever
you say....”
-------------------------
“Sergeant,
McShaw is wounded and Summer, Peterson and Grey are dead!”
“Well,
that`s nice, could you do without a little ammo? I have already run of it!”
“Okay, here
you are...”
“Any
grenades, Kinley?”
“No, sir, I
haven`t got any. We left them in... the barn!”
“Good.
Haven`t you seen Mut?”
-----------------------
Second team
began to advance, too, and first, despite the casualties, was already in the
village.
“Take the
buildings, one by one! We will wipe them, men!” Hartmann ordered.
Wolfgang couldn`t stand any more of doing nothing, while his comrades were fighting. So he left his cover and now he was running towards the village. Enemy didn`t pay attention to him, so just one randomly fired bullet hit the ground in front of him.
----------------------
“Mut...
farewell...” flames were almost licking her fur, her eyes were full of dust and
she couldn`t breathe because of the smoke.
“Renna! No!
You just can`t...” Mut turned her direction and in that moment something jumped
in the barn through old window which Mut didn`t notice. It brought a wave of a
clean air and blowed smoke and dust away for a moment.
“Anybody
here? Renna?”
Renna heard
her name, but she didn`t recognize the voice. It was not Danny, Jon or
Wolfgang.
“Who
are...” she shouted.
“I am
friend of your friend. Just get out this way! Is there somebody else?”
“Yeah, me,
Mut...”
“Follow
me.”
“Hey, who
the hell are you?”
“No time to
lose. Shut up and go with me throught this window!”
The unknown
one found the way to Renna and now he was helping her out.
‘Who is
he?’ Renna wondered as she was going through through the window. And when she
made it, she fell down and coughed. And then she took a deep breath. She didn`t
believe she would ever have one more breath few moments ago.
After a
short while, Mut came out from window coughing, too.
“Renna, I
tell you, it had to be an angel.”
“He said he
is a friend of my friend...”
Then
something jumped from the window.
“Yes, I
said it. But that doesn`t mean I am friend of yours.”
Both Renna
and Mut turned to see their saviour and petrified.
“Something
is wrong?” Wilhelm asked.
----------------------
Napper`s
squad was retreating. Napper had no interest in this pointless fight for a
small village. And Germans were polite enough to don`t shoot them retreating.
Mut`s look was oscillating between his saviour`s face and his collar. Wilhelm turned to Renna and whispered: “You know who send me. He wanted to come, but it was too dangerous. Do you want to send him a word?“
“Don`t
speak with him, Renna!”
“Oh, Mut, I
suppose.” Wilhelm sighed.
“For you:
Sergeant Mut, Kraut!” Mut yelled
“Well then,
Sergeant. Lieutenant Wilhelm. Tomorrow, we are going to be enemies again,
despite what happened today.” Wilhelm remained easy and well-mannered.
“Of course,
Kraut. That suits me very well.” Mut growled.
“Indeed...
I didn`t expect anything different from you.” He turned and walked away, but
Renna caught up with him.
“Please,
tell him I will see him today right at
He
proceeded without a word, but after a while he smiled: “I will tell him...”
------------------------
“Herr
Leutnant, village is in our hands again.”
“Good. How
many casualties?”
“About six
or seven men.”
Hartmann
sighed. It was the cost of this petty victory. He went to the field from which
they launched the attack. Three of his men laid dead here and about four were
injured. And he saw Jung sitting next of Manfred. Jung was crying and hugging
dead body of his dog. Hartmann stepped next to him but didn`t say a word. Jung
noticed him, but he just whispered: “I know it`s not your fault, Herr
Leutnant.”
“I am
sorry.”
------------------------
Wilhelm
knew they took the village and now he was taking just brief walk to unwind. And
as he was walking, Wolfgang ran into him.
“Issheallright?”
he thundered.
“Easy,
Wolf, easy... she is allright.”
“Thanks,
Wilhelm, you don`t know what have you done for me...”
“Oh, let it
be. Do you where is the rest?”
Wolfgang
didn`t know that.
“Hm... oh yes.
Reinhardt... Reinhardt! Follow
me!“ he ran to the place where he left him.
And there
he was lying. Torn and bitten badly. Wilhelm and Wolfgang came running to him.
Reinhardt saw them and he turned his head their direction. “Herr... Leutnant...
I am sorry... I didn`t... I did...”
“Be calm,
friend, we have won. And call me Wilhelm, please...” Wilhelm was doing his best
to remain calm and friendly, but Wolfgang had tears in his eyes. He didn`t like
Reinhardt, but now he saw him defeated, lying on the ground and injured badly.
“Wilhelm...”
Reinhardt whispered like he couldn`t believe it.
“We will
take you out of here, Reinhardt. Can you stand up?”
“Are you
crazy? He is dying, what are you trying to do right now?” Wolf hissed to
Wilhelm.
But, to
Wolfgang`s amazement, Reinhardt stood up.
“Yes, Herr
Leutnant. I think I can follow your next orders.”
“Good, then.
So follow me. We are going to meet Manfred.”
---------------------
Mut and
Renna were retreating to the old foxholes, where was the rest of the team. Mut
was in a really bad mood.
“Saved by a
Kraut... It would have been better if I had died there!”
“Oh,
Mut...”
“What a
disgrace! Got it? Now, I can`t kill him without feeling guilty.”
“Hey, Mut!
Renna! You are okay, thank heavens! Where... where have you been?” It was Jon,
who ran towards them.
“Jon!”
Renna cried in relief and hugged him.
“We were
having a little party in the barn, you know?” Mut grinned and at this moment
flames got through the wooden box and met it`s content. Barn exploded.
“Oh, and
Danny`s fine, too. We came upon one Kraut, but we took him out.” Jon grinned,
too. He had few fresh scars and light scratches.
“Great
work.”
-----------------------
Reinhardt,
Wolfgang and Wilhelm stood near Manfred’s body. Wolfgang was nearly vrying. The
one he had been talking with yesterday was dead now. He admired and liked him.
Reinhardt sighed. It was another casaulty, but he whispered: ”They will pay for
this…”
Wilhelm
didn’t say anything. Manfred’s bullet had been fired. He looked at Wolfgang,
like he was saying: ‘You see… the one you love is one from the Manfred’s
killers.’
----------------------
“What now,
sarge?”
“What do
you think, Kinley?”
“Will they
send reinforcements?” White asked.
“Indeed…
White, we are behind enemy lines and sending additional troops will draw
Krauts` attention! But…” he stopped, “I guess we need to send message to them.”
“And how we
are supposed to do this since our only radio is in the village?”
Napper’s
eyes slid down on Mut. Jon noticed it and said. “Sergeant, you are needed here.
Let me go.”
“Okay, Jon…
but don’t die. That’s direct order. Got it?”
Jon yelped
and jumped in Napper. “McShaw?”
“Sir?”
“It seems
your dog wants to go instead of Mut.”
---------------------
Germans
took position in the village. Hartmann knew Americans were digged in the old
trenches. But he also knew they were cut off.
‘They will
surrender soon, their situation is critical and they know it’ he thought. He
ordered his snipers to watch the trench.
---------------------
Napper read
the whole message again. It was short, but there was everything essential. Then
he took his pen again and added:
Send the dog back with answer as soon as
possible.
He rolled
the paper and put it in tin pipe on Jon’s collar.
“I hope Jon
knows what’s going on… if he fails, we will die…” Napper said.
Renna and
Danny were worried. But Mut nodded and gave basic instrucions to Jon.
Jon just
nodded and was about to run. But Napper held him back.
“Use smoke
grenades. We don’t need Krauts shoot him right now.”
Few smoke
grenades did good work. Smoke was thick enough to cover Jon.
“See you
later!” he yelled and ran.
“Watch
carefully,” Mut said, “this is maybe the last time we see him.”
--------------------
“Herr
Leutnant! Look! Smoke!”
“Hmm… I
don’t think they are going to attack us… maybe they are trying to send a
message to their comrades.”
“What now,
Herr Leutnant?”
“Don’t
shoot… since they can’t afford to miss any man, they will send a dog. And they
will wait for reply. But it won’t come. We will kill that dog on its way back…
be ready…”
Wilhelm
watched his master frowning. Then he looked at Wolfgang and whispered: “Come
with me, I have a message for you…”
“From her?”
Wolfgang twitched his ears. Wilhelm nodded and being followed by Wolfgang
headed out from the village.
“What did
she say?” Wolfgang was eager to hear.
“So… she
will see you at
“Great!”
Wolfgang yelped.
“Indeed…
meeting with one of Manfred’s killers is great, isn’t it?”
Wolfgang scowled,
but then his look slipped down from Wilhelm. “I know….”
---------------------
Three hours
passed. For Wolfgang, it was like eternity like for Napper and his men. They
didn’t expect Jon will return so quickly, but they wanted to get out of there
as soon as possible. Renna sneaked from her position, making sure she wasn’t
seen by anybody. Mainly by Mut and Danny.
Yes, it was
dangerous, but she needed to talk to him. Finally. Just fe steps and… He waited
for her. “Renna…” he sighed in relief. She came. She really came.
“Wolf…” whispered she and ran towards him. He
caught her and hugged her. “I am sorry I didn’t help you… but Wilhelm ordered
me to stand back…” he whispered in her ear.
“No… it’s
all right. I am glad you are safe…” If Mut heard her, he would rage like the-
no… nothing could describe his rage, then! She was glad her enemy was alive!
But Wolfgang was no longer her enemy. He nuzzled her softly.
“Renna… I
know it will sound silly, but I love you.”
Renna
expected something like this. And she had thought she would be able to reply.
But she wasn’t.
“Wolfgang,
I… I like you, but we are enemies… we can’t.”
“Why do you
think so? Just because it’s war? My close friend told me it’s just about us. If
you think it’s wrong, then tell me right now. But I don’t find anything bad
about it…”
Renna was
silent.
“And the
friend of mine is now dead. Your humans killed him. I could hate you for that,
I could avenge him, but I just said I love you. Because this is the way he
would like.” Wolfgang looked in her eyes.
“I am sorry
he is dead…” Renna whispered, “He was right… there’s nothing bad about it. I
like you Wolfgang, but I can’t tell you what I feel right now…”
“I
understand. I love you, no matter what.” He kissed her lightly and smiled.
Renna
blushed. “I need to go back… If they notice I am missing it will be very
unpleasant. What about same place and same time, tomorrow?”
Wolfgang
nodded. She didn’t reject him!
------------------------
Night
passed, but it was sleepless one. Napper’s men waited for response and were
afraid of German attack. Hartmann and his men had completely different
problems. They had casaulties, too and injured ones. Hartman decided Richter
would drive their only car and take the most injured back to position of their
army. Reinhardt went with Richter, so only two dogs remained. Wolfgang and
Wilhelm.
“Sir! Sir!”
It was
early in the morning when Kinley spotted something he was sure was Jon. Napper
grabbed binoculars, watched and then he said with smile on his lips: “I think
Jon deserves at least double rations…”
But he knew
the worst part would come. Jon had to run around the village. Through the no
man’s land. And without any chance for cover. There was just one crater the mortar
made the other day.
“Now… our
lives are in his paws…” Napper sighed.
‘Okay,
Okay… I will make it… it’s just few steps…’ Jon though.
And then
something buzzing flew over his head.
‘Shit!’
“Shit! They
saw him!” Napper shouted. “Covering fire!” Men started firing from all guns
while Renna and Mut crouched down. Noone could fight a bullet.
Jon kept
running. If he had stop it would be his death. Just few more steps…
“Shoot it!”
Hartman ordered and aimed on Jon’s head. He wasn’t good marksman, but he was
almost sure he would kill that dog.
“Keep
firing! He will be here soon! Look, he is near the crater and-“
Jon jerked.
Something threw him aside. Something hot and painful. His blood spurted and he
fell down to the crater. Renna yelped when she saw this. And taking no care
about bullets she ran to the crater. Her thoughts were with Jon.
‘It will be
good… I will bring him back… he will be all right. And then we will go home…’
She jumped
into the crater.
“Jon!” she
shouted.
His eyes
were opened but cold and dead.
“No… no…
It’s not supposed to be this way…” Renna whispered and started crying.
“Jon, why
did you do this to me? To us?”
Her tears
fell down on Jon’s fur.
Something
seemed so futile and ironic to her now.She wanted to curl down and cry forever,
or run away somewhere far away.
She nuzzled
Jon’s dead body and then her nose met something cold.
Of course!
The message!
She didn’t
wait for any longer, ripped metal case from Jon’s collar and she jumped back to
the trench.
Her eyes
were full of tears and terror. Mut knew it. He was scared and terrified too,
when he saw killed friend for the first time. But Renna made the best she
could. She brought back the message. Napper snatched the case anxiously and
read the message like it would have been the most important thing in the whole
world.
Renna
hugged Mut crying.
“Mut… Mut…
Jon’s dead…” she sobbed and hid her nose in Mut’s fur.
Danny
watched them speechlessly. But after a while he curled down, put his paws on
his eyes and shouted: “WHY?!” Mut looked at him. “Danny… This is a war and Jon
did something brave and heroic. He laid down his life for us. And we can cry
for him later, now we must make sure his sacrifice wasn’t futile.” He laid paw
on Danny’s shoulder. “Jon is a hero and we will tell his story to others, but
first… we must get out of here…”
Napper was
reading the note then he threw it away and looked on his watch.
“… seven…
six … five… four… three…”
Hartmann
glanced back. He was sure he hit the dog, but about that message… He sighed
when five
“Böhm… have we got something like white
flag here?”
-------------------------
And the
nightmare was over. When Napper spotted the white flag and unarmed Germans
heading to them, he sighed with relief.
“Okay,
don’t shoot… McShaw, did you hear me?” McShaw didn’t respond, but kept holding
his rifle. “I am sorry for Jon, but now we can’t shoot them. They are surrending
now…”
Napper
stepped out from the trench and followed by Kinley and White. Other men were
ready to shoot if necessary, but it wasn’t. Hartmann came closer and spoke to
Napper.
“Lieutenant
Hartmann, 87th reconnaissance unit, Wehrmacht. I want to save lives of my
men, so I offer our surrender.” His English was quite bad, but Napper
understood.
“I accept.”
Hartmann
sighed. “I am sorry for all your casaulties… we are mere soldiers like you
are-”
And they
talked and talked. Renna, Mut and Danny were watching the scene and although
they didn’t understand a word, they knew what it meant. They knew it was over…
But…
No… Renna
looked at Wolfgang and whinned.
“ –and I
know we won’t be able to take our dogs with us and… therefore, accept them as a
gift… or ‘loot’. Keep them or… shot them. As you wish. But If you are going to
kill them, please… do it quickly. They are soldiers, too.”
Napper
nodded. Germans were going to go to the POW camp somewhere in
Then
another sergeant came to Napper and said: “We will handle this from now on.”
Napper
sighed. Hartmann kneeled infront of Wilhelm, hugged him, said something in
German and took his collar, so did Böhm, but he let the collar be. After a
while, prisoners were taken away.
Renna made
two quick steps towards Wolfgang, but then she stopped and looked back at Mut.
Mut
pretended he didn’t see it. So she came to Wolfgang and whispered: “I think now
I can tell you what I feel. I… I love you. Wolf.”
------------------
They were
treated like heroes when they came back to the camp. They had been considered
dead, but now, Napper and his men came back. But Napper wasn’t happy at all. He
was scowling all the time and murmuring: “Yesh, he is a Kraut, but… no, it
won’t help… but then…” His thoughtful monologue was disturbed by Kinley who
came running.
“Sir! We
are going home! For good!”
“Well…”
Kinley was
surprised. He expected sergeant would be happy to hear that like each other men
from the squad.
“Kinley… do
you think you could handle one more dog?”
“Sir?”
“I think
Renna has chosen instead of you…” Napper pointed on Renna, who lay near
Wolfgang.
“Sir, do
you mean I should take this German dog and-“
“Yes.”
“But that’s
against-“
“Let’s say
it isn’t. So, do you want it?”
Kinley
shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t know Wolfgang after all, it was dog of enemy.
“If I don’t
want, will you kill it?” he asked.
“We won’t
have any other choice.”
“But how can
we-“
Napper knew
exactly what Kinley wanted to say. He just raised his arm with new colar and
two sheets of paper. “We can say it’s our own dog, can’t we?”
Now Kinley
was sure THAT was against the directives.
“But it’s
just on you. Take or not.”
“But Sarge,
where the hell did you-“
“Don’t ask
me, Kinley.”
Kinley
looked at Renna and Wolfgang again and he grabbed collar and papers. Napper
smiled slightly. “I will keep the dobbie, then”
Kinley came
up to Wolfgang and patted his Wolfgang’s head and then he managed to take his
old collar. He was really afraid Wolfgang would attack him, but nothing.
Wolfgang stayed calm. After change of the collars Napper and Kinley went to
celebrate their return with others.
Wolfgang
looked at his new collar. It was same as Renna had. He smiled and nuzzled her.
“Love, I
think we will be together forever.” Renna giggled. “We will be, Wolf.”
-----------------
“So, now we
are allies, Kraut?”
“I have a
name, Tommy, and I would prefer you’d call me Wilhelm!”
“Well then,
Kraut, I am Mut, not Tommy… I have name, too!”
“But if you
think we are friends just because of those stupid collars-“
“You will
be Kraut for me forever, Wilhelm.”
“And you
will be Tommy.”
“To be
honest I don’t understand… why did he do it?”
“I don’t
know either…”
-------------------
Few days
later two men and four dogs entered
As they
were closer and closer to her parents’ home, the more and more impatient she
was.
Wolf was
just amazed, for he had never seen land or town like this, while Mut murmured:
“That Kraut… it’s too cold... o
course it is, it’s
“What the
hell…” Mut cursed.
Balto
raised his head. He recognized voice of his daughter, so did Jenna.
And another
family reunion followed. Mut and Wolfgang stood aside.
“Who is
this wolf - or dog?” Wolfgang wondered.
“It’s
somebody who is going to be reason of Renna’s upcoming problems…” Mut growled.
“- And dad,
I would like you to meet two great dogs I met there. This is sergeant Mut. My
commander and a hero…”
Mut blushed
slightly “A hero you say...” But then he shouted: ”So your father is Balto,
mother is Jenna and you didn’t tell me anything?! What if something happened to
you? How I would explain it to the real hero?” But Mut intended no harm. It was
just joke.
Balto
smiled: “I am very grateful you took care of my daughter and brought her back
safe. Thanks a lot.”
“Oh, that
was nothing at all… No need to thank me…” Mut averted his eyes and giggled.
“And this
is Wolfgang… he is the one I love. He used to be enemy, but now… he showed me
the true power of love. He proved he loves me and that’s enough for me.”
Wolfgang
nodded and looked in Balto’s eyes. Balto nodded too and smiled.
“Welcome,
Wolfgang.”
“Thanks,
sir.”
“Oh, call
me Balto.”
“And I am
Jenna, pleased to meet you.”
“Balto,
Jenna, you have got amazing daughter. I hope I will prove I am good enough for
her.”
Renna
licked his maw and whispered: “You proved it already, love.”
I
have to admit, idea for this ff came righ after the first part of Times…
Writing
took me so long, because I was lazy to finish it. Well the end is really bad, I
had sort of writer’s block or something, but I think it’s well… let’s say it’s
not that bad I feared it will be.
Balto,
Jenna (c) Universal studios
Renna,
Wolfgang, Wilhelm, Jon, Danny, Reinhardt (c) Me
THANKS
FOR