Fred was sick of this damn car. They’d been driving two days straight while swapping seats and stopping to take a leak. Richeaul was asleep amongst the guns in the back and a waning sun watched them wearily. They were near the Spanish border, Fred was certain, and he kept a close eye. This payed off when a wooden structure appeared up ahead. The road was massed with soldiers. He reached around and woke Richeaul roughly.
“We’re at the border.” The Frenchman’s sleepiness disappeared and he drew a Mars pistol. Fred hated it; it was heavy, bad recoil and bad cartridges.
“Monsieur we have to skip them. They might be Spaniard’s and if so the Germans will swarm upon us like bugs. Drive around them, they will have guard’s but we kill them.” He said in a determined voice. Fred spun the wheel heavily to the left and they barged into the countryside. He watched the soldiers then swore as they hit a lage rock. His head whipped back and the Frenchman fell into the guns, and one fired. Fred looked back; saw a stunned Richeaul then the car ripped forward. They went faster then anyone had and neither words nor bullets reached them. Both, as Fred imagined it, danced behind them easily. The Frenchman stood up and swore at the soldiers before tipping dangerously over the edge as Fred swerved onto the road. Already he could see a city ahead.
“And now… we are in Spain monsieur.” Stated Richeaul.
“What is that city?” asked Fred meaning the city looming on the horizon.
“That is where we sleep tonight. That is Badajoz. Spanish still but not for long.” Said Richeaul carelessly.
“Why not?”
“The Germans, once they have swept away the British in Salamanca, will rip through here easily no matter what Spanish garrison stands. This is non Madrid! Lisboa will be German before the year ends.” He stated easily, obviously care free. Fred felt angry towards his remarks. How dare he insult Britain’s army’s so!?
“We’re the finest bloody fighting force Europe has seen!” Argued Fred. Richeaul looked at him.
“So, monsieur, why have you not won every battle you were in? You Brits are good, yes.” He admitted painfully, “We French, okay, though the Foreign Legion remains more better then any foreign army, but the Germans.” He made a motion to indicate it meant they swept the field of competition.
“You’ve never seen a German Regiment before, have you Monsieur?” he asked.
“Yes, I have in fact.” Said Fred in a sad voice, “Bloody chased by one.” He added gloomily.
“Where? Hm? When you were on some boat running with your tail between your legs?” insulted Richeaul.
“No! At Mons! Attacked and bloody massacred for that. Government didn’t give a care in the world. I was chased miles for that ran Belgium for my King and country!” he said somewhat proudly.
“Blind as a bat. You not realise? Your King does not care! He cares not about some stupid fool on his frontline! He cares about food and wine, he cares about where he sleeps tomorrow and what’s happening. Do be fooled by your foolish pride, monsieur!” said Richeaul. Silence. Fred did not bother replying. Why not? Richeaul did not understand the basis of pride. He did not care and only wanted Fred to join him! Fred ignored him until they reached Badajoz.
Fred was gloomily drinking a large mug of beer. Richeaul was sitting silently beside him detecting Fred’s disquiet. Fred glanced and saw him watching a group of Spanish soldiers closely. They had taken refuge in the cheapest place in town, and it clearly was with the worst beds Fred had seen for some time. He was not happy/
“What do you know about a German regiment, Frederickson?” asked Richeaul suddenly. Fred sipped his beer before replying.
“They’re bloody fast.” He said sharply. Richeaul laughed.
“Fast, eh? That is true, monsieur. Did you know they can march so that their boots hit the ground at the same time?” asked Richeaul. Fred didn’t know this, but knew such talent was rare. Some regiments in the British Army got it.
“Yeah, I knew that.” Fed said it so it smothered any chance of conversation and it worked. Someone entered the bar and Fred saw it was two people from the streets. Their clothes were bad and they looked very shifty. Richeaul was all eyes, watching them closely. Fred picked up a paper and scanned the frontline, saw it was Spanish threw it back down. He stood,
“I’m going to ask for a English paper.” And walked up to the bar.
“Two beers of some southern Spanish brew.” Asked the two next to Fred, and two mugs slammed in front of them. The manager grinned at Fred,
“Yes?”
“Do you have an English version of the papers?” he asked politely. The manager nodded heavily and brought it forth. Fred slapped some coins on the bar and walked back to Richeaul. He read them over,
Salamanca in closed waters!
The German Army fell upon Salamanca today, bringing forth their revolutionary tactics to smash the British Army. Though victory eluded them only today, victory is promising itself
Fred threw it down as well. He should’ve known the Germans would have the papers under a strong hand. The authors were well paid. Richeaul tapped him on the arm and spoke into his ear quietly.
“Did those two men order in English?” he asked.
“Yes.” Fed replied, mystified. Richeaul face was like he’d sealed a contract.
“We’re leaving. Now.” He added as Fred started to complain about finishing the beer. They stood and donned long coats to cover their army things. As they stood one of the men leaned over and looked immediately sick. For the first time this night, Fred’s mind was thrown into suspicion. He grabbed the Webley in his pocket and held it there, as he and Richeaul left in the great overcoats. They hurried down the street and hid in an alley. Richeaul pushed him back and watched. He swore,
“Damned fools are coming this way, monsieur, we can not lose them!” He said quickly, grabbing Fred and taking him deeper into the alley and turning quickly.
“Who are they?” whispered Fred, but was shushed by Richeaul. Richeaul drew his Mars handgun and kneeled, aiming it.
“Cover my back, monsieur.” He ordered. Fred turned around and kneeled as well, watching the street behind them. He wondered what was happening on the other street, but snapped to attention when he saw the two shifty men appear in his street.
“Richeaul! They’re here!” Richeaul rushed with the Mars and kneeled beside Fred.
“When you shoot, monsieur, do not miss.” He commanded confidently. Fred was offended he even thought Fred would miss. The two men dawdled down the street trying, too much, to appear with no care in the world.
“Now!” Fred squeezed the trigger and it snapped back once, then twice. One man shuddered and then arched backwards as the other rolled away with a drawn Colt, which Fred found strange due that it was an American gun. Richeaul was swearing, the Mars had failed to fire.
“What the hell is wrong with this damned thing?” he asked to nobody in particular. Fred told him rudely what it was and received a cold stare.
“Thank you for your opi-!” He ducked and swore as a bit of the wall chipped off with a bullet. Fred jumped into the street, fired six times and flew back into the alley. He spared a glance and saw the man lying on the street, bleeding. Richeaul stood and went over and Fred followed. The man was on his stomach.
“Bloody MI6! Following us. Must’ve known from the border guards!” Richeaul swore at the man and they walked off stashing away their guns. Fred stopped, picked up the Colt and pocketed it. It was a fine gun.
They left the next day. After a change of hotels they slept an uneasy night, packed early in the morning and left with no trouble. Fred adored his new Colt gun and shined it the next day, asking Richeaul what type of gun it was.
“A Colt New Service, made in America in ’07. A damn fine gun and not unusual in the British Army. Though automatic might be better.”
“Why the automatic?”
“Why? Are you serious monsieur!?” he asked in a stun.
“Yes.”
“Because you slip in a cartridge, fire, reload. Easy, oui? With a revolver you get the cylinder out, insert the bullets and fire. Strong, but slow.” He shook his head, “You can’t afford to be slow in the Army, Frederickson.” Lectured Richeaul. Fred snorted.
“What are you, Confucius.” He teased, Richeaul laughed as well and silence followed.
“So we’re we heading now?” asked Fred.
“A place called Mericda, a small town which is the crossroads to Badajoz, Salamanca and Sevilla. Very important, the Spanish, British and Germans will all have a close eye on it.” Richeaul told importantly.
“So we’re moving in and moving out fast?” Richeaul nodded, “And then where? Not Salamanca, Germans have sieged it.”
“Really, eh? There’s a road which goes north east from it. Steep hills around the area, the Extremadura region, so we will have to ditch the car. Madrid is a bit on from there.” He informed.
“Madrid?” asked Fred.
“Yes.”
“That’s German isn’t it?”
“It is monsieur. We can evade the Germans easily, take two nights sleep then we observe our situation.” It seemed sound to Fred so he made no more arguments about it. Though if Madrid was British he would never get through alive. Thankfully, or rather unfortunly, depending on what way you look at it, the place was German. So they drove the 15 miles from Badajoz to Mericda.
The car puttered through the barren place. Fred knew the war had hit this place very hard in the stomach, and it was on its knees begging for life. Less then a thousand people lived here compared to the rich 10 000 from beforehand. The Secret Services had ripped this place dry. Fred felt eyes watching them and felt uncomfortable and was grateful Richeaul was driving.
“This place has seen some hard times. It was alive when I was last here.” Stated Richeaul sadly.
“When were you last here?” said Fred as he lay back down amongst the guns in the back so the watching eyes wouldn’t watch him.
“Hm? Oh… probably 1902, when the Legion was heading from Lisboa.” Fred wondered what they were doing in Lisbon, let alone Portugal but Richeaul wasn’t going to say anything more. Fred was thankful when Richeaul put on the burst of extra speed which got them out of the town. He sat up and saw the tall mountains trying to touch the horizon, but couldn’t.
“Is that where we are heading?” asked Fred lamely.
“It is monsieur.”
It was another 15 miles to the mountains.
“We’re being followed” yelled Richeaul down at Fred. Fred glanced back and saw the car at the bottom of the mountain slowly ascending.
“How do we get rid of them?” asked Fred
“Easy, monsieur. We drop the car on them.” Said Richeaul in utter joy. This made absolutely no sense and Fred stayed silent to this madness.
“Get out.” Ordered Fred, who did. Richeaul got eight guns, put two over his arms, two over Fred’s arms, one on his and Fred’s back and they both held one. He pocketed one Webley, several grenades and several to Fred gout out and they both stood in front of it. He kicked the front once and it shattered the plate, kicked three more times and it squealed, or so it seemed, and rolled backwards picking up speed. It was finally basically flying down the road. Fred saw two men launch themselves from the car, but fell of the edge to their deaths, and the car flew sky high in a ball of flame. Richeaul laughed.
“And now, we can move peacefully.”
And so they did. They went fast and only seemed to climb, climb, climb. Fred only saw the back of Richeaul’s shoes until they finally reached the top. The sun was boiling them like they were a recipe in an oven but a breeze rustled Fred’s hair.
“That, monsieur, is beautiful.” Said Richeaul. Spain stretched before like it was a map before a studious general. Thing’s moved through the countryside. To their west was Portugal, free of any German invaders and head held high. To their east was German held Spain. This land seem tormented to Fred. To their south was a free, peaceful Spain and a sea washing its shore like a patient baby sitter, and to the north was war torn Spain. Where Salamanca was Fred could see bright flashes of light and thick smoke wafting high into the air.
“War. God I hate it but he feeds it to me like an addiction. Lets go monsieur.” Said Richeaul bitterly and they climbed down the steep hill. They hired a car in the next village, it was not a bargain certainly, but Richeaul was full of money. The village was called Trujillo, and their destination was Talavera de la Reina, a name Fred took several nights to learn. They certainly took several nights and days to reach the place with 60 miles to travel. They reached there, slept a night then drove on. Richeaul explained to their west was Toledo, old capital of the Spanish Empire.
“An amazing Empire Frederickson. Not even Napoleon’s French Empire matched it. Millions of dollars, much money then, flocked to them like beggars to a rich man! Argued with Spain and you got a mailed punch to the face. The Romans couldn’t beat them, the Moors couldn’t beat them, not even us French!” he said in amazement like Fred could not believe such a thing.
“But we British beat them?” tormented Fred. Richeaul paused,
“A moment of unseen skill.”
“Yet we toppled an Empire surpassed not even by Napoleon. What would Victoria have to say to that? Or the other great ruler’s of the British Empire?” mocked Fred. Richeaul was silent before gaining a foothold.
“An Empire built upon the breaking backs of Frenchman. You should be ashamed of yourself Frederickson!” scorned Richeaul and they both laughed loudly. They were nearing Madrid, their stop to observe the situation and joyous about this. But Fred knew one slip and they fell to the hateful hands of the Germans.
That slip was guaranteed not to happen when Fred was with Richeaul. The man was a perfectionist. Though not a dictator, his way or no way, he still had to have everything right. This annoyed Fred who, there was no other word for it, lazy. They drove through the magnificent gates of Madrid easily but hard stares of German troops followed them. Fred was excited at this danger; it was like crawling under the skin of the enemy. They drove through the streets and people cowered before the high wheels of their modern car. German soldiers brushed past the car and nodded politely to them, and Fred was convinced they would’ve entered conversation if they didn’t think Fred and Richeaul were two Spanish noblemen. They were respected by Germans due to the rank they received with a car, though they weren’t the only ones with a car, and hated by the people who thought them cold blooded traitors by betraying Spain to Germany. Fred hated it the first time he wiped away the spit from a Spanish woman, or when he looked for the source of a flying comment. Richeaul looked stressed as well but knew what he was doing. They drove silently down the streets before going up a steep hill and parking in front of a hotel with the words of
HillOpinión Hotel
They brought up the suit cases stuffed with guns and Richeaul started speaking in Spanish to the grumpy owner. The foyer was carpeted in red and hanging lights and was well looked after, though everything was dusty as Fred found out after leaning against the bench. Richeaul and the manager were arguing loudly before Richeaul yelled loudly:
“Multa!” slamming down some coins and notes. The lady spoke quickly, and dismissed them with a turn of the back.
“The top floor, monsieur. I attempted my best to appear cheap… did I pull it off?” he asked hopefully.
“You did, I was quite convinced.” Said Fred in a confident manner. As he puffed and emerged to the final floor. They walked the hallway and Richeaul fumbled with the keys as Fred stared. A large window stood at the end of the hall with a magnificent view of the city. They door opened and he walked in impressed. Two fine beds (Better then what was in Badajoz) a decent bathroom, several tables and a good view with a wooden table.
“Choose a bed, monsieur. We sleep here for three nights and plan where to go next.” Said Richeaul as he flipped pictures, chairs, tables and other small items.
“What are you doing?” asked Fred after dumping his guns on the bed. Richeaul looked back,
“What does it look like? One click of a bomb and the Brits need not worry about us!” he said.
“In Madrid?” asked Fred skeptically. He was doubtful the MI6 could reach this far into German held lands.
“The Spanish border, monsieur, is weak due to the fact Salamanca holds, or so we know of, so agents get in all the time. They’ll be following us all the time here if we don’t keep our heads low.” He said matter-of-factly. Richeaul was satisfied and brought forth one of the bags. He pulled up maps and markers and covered the table with them.
“Come here, Frederickson. Let us plan where we go next.”
Andrew grabbed a nearby building as the ground shook unstably. It was an instinct due to the closeness of the hit. A German shell had hit nearby, and it worried him insanely. He edged into another street, his destination forgotten, and saw the large crater. A Spanish woman was kneeling at the edge bawling like a baby.
“M-m-my husband! He is gone! Where did he go!?” She screamed hysterically, leaning forth and scrabbling the dirt. She was in shock, no harm coming to her from the blast, but it had obviously claimed her husband. A kind British soldier draped a cloak around her, and arms around her shoulder, walked her away as she cried into his shoulder. Andrew closed his eyes as if the sunlight blinded him, then took a gulp of air and walked away. It took several moments for him to remember what he was doing.
“Ah; I remember.” He said aloud. He was heading for where the 51st Regiment was housed. Major Stevens was rumored to be RSM there and Andrew had to find where Fred was. As he set off he felt better then before the battle. He had now successfully led his Company in battle. Given that ceaseless drill to fire fifteen and fired the fifteen himself. Deep in his mind he knew it wasn’t a real battle. He knew they simply stood in there trenches and mowed them down like wheat on a farm. What would happen when they broke through with those feared Stormtrooper’s? Yes, the rumor itself made Andrew shiver. The dreaded Stormtrooper regiment of the German Army, the ones who were rumored to outmatch the Coldstream Guards and the best of the Footguard’s even, was here with siege weapons. Andrew didn’t know what siege weapons meant, or even what a Stormtrooper looked like, only they could kill with one shot. Andrew backed off when he found himself in front of some Spanish apartments, knocked and went in. He ignored the owner’s walked to a nearby room and found three soldier’s gambling around a smoky room. He knocked.
“Yes?” welcomed one of them.
“I am looking for a Major Stevens.” Asked Andrew.
“That is I. Excuse me gentleman, be so kind to pause while I attend to this young fellow.” Said a middle aged man who had just stood with cards in hand.
“Go off, knew we’d beat you, didn’t you?” teased the other. The major gave a booming laugh.
“Don’t cheat you scum.” He called back to laughs. The two of them walked down the street.
“So?” asked the Major, looking at Andrew. Andrew took a breath of air,
“Sir, I know you know Frederickson Hamburg.”
“Yes.”
“I need to know where he is.” Andrew told him.
“Yes.”
“Where is he?” Andrew asked.
“Why do you need to find him?” The Major asked interested.
“There are certain… difficulties with the Company. I need him back to help me sort them out. I don’t know the answer.” Said Andrew in a frustrated tone. The Major watched him before replying.
“What’s your name boy.” He asked.
“Andrew Blair, for now I’m Captain of B Company in my regiment.” He replied simply.
“You look too young for a Company, what are you, 19, 20?” guessed the Major.
“Never to young to handle things, 22.” Said Andrew defensively.
“Captain, how can I trust you?” asked the Major bluntly.
“I can tell you anything. I was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and lived there my whole life until I came south for the army in ’15…”
“I don’t care how you go too the army, why should I tell you about Frederickson if you might be, uh, spying.” He inquired.
“Well I met him in Southampton as he left for Portsmouth.” Andrew swung his mind around. What could he say to get the Major to trust him? He remembered suddenly, “When we were down at the docks Fred was hit in the back of knees by Colonel Whitby. Medium sized man with a fine white moustache and about 50.” Andrew described. The Major’s eyes scanned him like some sort of machine before he spoke.
“I trust you, Andrew. Unfortunly I am on limited time. Meet me down in the trenches in a week or so. I’ll explain everything there.” He shushed Andrew with the wave of a hand.
“Be there, get your answers. I have matters to attend to. If you’re not there then I won’t care… no information.” The Major tipped his cap and dipped his hands in his deep pockets of the great overcoat he was wearing and stormed off. Andrew stood there like stuck in the middle of the ocean before turning and walking off. Answers had finally arrived… but so had the Germans.
“Damn it man, don’t you realise!” yelled Richeaul in frustration, backing away and holding his head in annoyance.
“I realise a lot more then you think so!” roared back Fred, pointing a stabbing finger at Richeaul. Richeaul brushed it away and pointed at the map of North Spain.
“We can go to Barcelona, oui, monsieur…”
“Well, let’s go!” said Fred.
“Let me finish! If we go, we might make it. Peut-être! The Germans though have a tightened stranglehold on it more then the rest of the place.” Said Richeaul knowledgably.
“Prove it then! How did you get information so fast, and how can you trust such source?” asked Fred doubtfully. Richeaul glared at him,
“If I can’t trust myself who can I trust?” he said coldly and Fred backed off fast, “I saw it with my own two eyes. Madrid is well defended, oui, but Barcelone is very well so due to the fact it is a sea port. Busy, oui? Massive amounts of trade pour into the place, so they strangle it of any Spanish influence, or for the matter, Britannique influence.” Fred thought it made sense so stayed quiet. Richeaul detected a victory so continued more leisurely.
“So, we find a less obvious path.” He said scanning the map. Fred looked as well from the other side of the table and saw a fine route.
“Valencia, perhaps?”
“Expand on the idea, monsieur.”
“Take a ferry to Sardinia or Corsica, then skip straight to Italy.” They were heading to Italy, which was definite; due to the fact it alone remained neutral.
“We have to go by Toulon.” Highlighted Richeaul.
“Why?” asked Fred suspiciously.
“We are meeting some other Legionnaires there, and they have agreed to escort us. Remercie le Seigneur, best troops in the world, monsieur.” Said Richeaul like it was an oath.
“Fine then, cross of Valencia.” Said Fred gloomily, annoyed at his lack of say. Richeaul knew it but ignored his annoyances.
“The second obvious route is through Zaragoza.” Fred stared at where Zaragoza was. It was in between the two major cities of Pamplona and Barcelona, but it itself was probably the most important.
“It’s massive! That place is bigger then Barcelona!” said Fred in a high voice. He stabbed his finger at Pamplona.
“There! Go up through there then north east to Toulouse, east from there to Nimes and then Marseille and to Toulon!” he waited for the rejection and sat down.
“That’s a good idea, monsieur.” Complimented Richeaul. Fred waited for the ‘But…’ but nothing came.
“Yes, I think we will.” Said Richeaul after some consideration. Fred stared at him then grinned.
“Excellent.” His spirits lifting.
“It will avoid the Pyrenees. There will be medium German patrols near Donostia-San Sebastian of course, but nothing hard for us. I have several sources of information in some Spanish and others. Let me run it by them tomorrow.” He said staring out the darkening sky through the window. Fred collapsed on the bed entirely tired, and fell asleep after several minutes.
Fred was wide awake; Richeaul was already at the door preparing to find his Spanish source of information. He seemed confident and cheery, as did Fred (Maybe not confident)
“Take your Webley wherever you go. You’re probably going to be trailed today or tomorrow.” Lectured Richeaul. Fred didn’t like the thought of having to deal with them alone.
“When can we lose them?” Fred gloomily asked.
“We’ll lose them in the mountains easily. Now, falsely lead them then kill. I repeat, kill then move very fast, monsieur. The Spanish police will move like flies to butter, so make yourself seem innocents and run.” Richeaul wished him luck and Fred returned a nod and Richeaul left smartly. Fred pulled up his Webley and loaded it and hid it in his boot for good luck. He then pulled forth the Colt and loaded it and placed it deep in the overcoat pockets he was wearing. Fred stood in front of the large window and watched the streets. People did their everyday thing, bickered, argued, discussed, and persuaded another to buy something. He looked at the hills beyond Madrid, and made a mental note to ask Richeaul what they were called. He still needed to process the enormity of what had happened over the last week or so. He, Frederickson Hamburg, had been arrested because… he had family in Germany? It was possible, but that thought was tossed away when the stupidity of it came to life. What if someone was framing him? And someone else, or the same person, was a traitor and they lived in the heart of the British defense in Salamanca. Which might have fallen by now. Fred stared absently at a dark alley before he saw it. Two men were dealing over something, by the looks a pistol, but were being surrounded by German troops. Fred barged against the window and watched ever more focused. A German sergeant sprang from around the corner surprising the men. Fred’s eyebrows raised when he aw what happened next. One of them drew a handgun and shot the Sergeant straight in the forehead and the other pushed him behind him and shot randomly around the corner, straight into the other Germans who fell in confusion. The men burst around the corner and away. Fred sighed in relief a she saw them run wildly to a safe house. He realised how exposed he was on the streets and considered one of the Lebel rifles propped against the wall next to him. He shook his head in pity, loaded it and slung it over his shoulder before leaving and locking the door quietly behind him. He was soon emerging into a busy Madrid street.
His grey overcoat portrayed him as German, which suited him fine among this Spanish crowd. He trotted down the street gently and felt the large roll of money Richeaul had handed him kindly this morning.
“Monsieur buy something. Ammunition for that Colt or your own gun, but ditch the Webley or keep it somewhere discreet, if the Allemands catch you with one they will shoot you dead, oui?” So he could keep the Colt, a fine American handgun sure. He could shoot quite a few dead, but a wider range of weapons seem more appropriate. He wanted something easy to hold with hardly any recoil. He approached the markets and was bombarded at once. People selling fruit, animals, carts, transport, seats, beds, cars, and everything else. He found everything… but soon found no one stocked guns. He didn’t know if it was because they dared not in fear of the Germans, or if a decree was out not letting them so. He asked one old lady who shooed him away frightened. Fred frowned in frustration, he had more money then he probably would ever have and he couldn’t spend it properly. A hand grabbed his arm and steered him away from the crowd. He looked and saw the outline of a man wearing a bowler hat and a black overcoat similar to Fred’s but his face was shadowed.
“Señor, I happened to overhear you.” Stated the Spanish man.
“That’s good to know. What do you want?” asked Fred in a bored fashion.
“Easy, easy. I do not mean to anger you, senor, but I know some friends who can provide you with the weapons you ask for.” Said the man sharply in a deep Castilian voice. Fred considered, and accepted it. The man led him away.
“What are you looking for, senor? Rifles, automatics, revolvers, sub machine guns?” he asked interested.
“Automatic, preferably something mainland European.”
“Not interested in anything Japanese? American? They produce fine guns in both countries.” Stated the Castilian man.
“No, mainland Europe. What guns do Japan produce?” asked Fred as the Spanish man led him into a deeper alley.
“Arisaka is popular, that is all I know of senor. Here we are.” He welcomed Fred into a much gloomier crowd. The area was shaded and dark and definitely not welcoming.
“All selling things illegal to Madrid.” Greeted the Spanish man, essentially, he meant, it was the black market. Fred immediately observed one of the stores. He had long thin rifles. Fred skipped him to the nearest pistol owner. The man eagerly greeted him and asked him what type of gun he was looking for.
“A sturdy gun, something easy to fit into my hand and no recoil. Automatic.” Said Fred to the mans queries.
“Senor the main pistol maker nowadays is Germany. Thy produce fine guns there, one of them, are the Bergmann.” The man introduced him to a strange looking pistol which had enormous space where the trigger was but looked like it’d break at the puff of wind. It was firmly rejected by Fred.
“Okay, not your taste. Luger, Mauser?” he asked desperately. Two guns looking similar, both had long thin barrels and much trigger space but small grip. Rejected. Desperate measures then, let me show you…” he rummaged in a box and brought out a gun.
“The Steyer gun. Fine model, second in a series and perfected by famous Austrian gun maker, Mannlicher, modern, 1911.” Marketed the man. Fred loved the look of it. As the saying goes, ‘Love at first sight’, and unfortunly this was the case with a pistol. It had a fine grip, long but large barrel which definitely packed a punch with a small tip at the end. Strange, yes, Austrian, yes, but very slick. Fred slipped the man some rolls of money for it and some ammunition and dipped it into his pocket, tipped his hat and left (Also flicking some money to the man who helped him.) A fine purchase, he thought leisurely.
As Fred walked the streets some more buying several things he noticed the same man following. His senses alert he tried to think like Richeaul. If he was Richeaul he would duck into an alley and watch the man coming. Or hide in a shop. So he ducked into a book shop some time on. He knew the shelves would provide some cover and he hid behind one, flicking through Aleksis Kivi’s Seven Brothers to keep the shop owner satisfied and help him from any glaring looks. Sure enough, the door opened and a man entered. He had a coat wrapped around him hiding everything but his head. He nodded politely but didn’t speak and looked around. Fred was well hidden and watched as the man approached the shelves. He paused and entered Fred’s row. Fred though was moving when he entered the row and was out of the shop by the time the man realised he wasn’t there. He ran then stopped and watched as the man left the shop.
And looked straight at him.
And the man walked straight for him so Fred bolted away hiding. He drew the Steyer gun, loaded it and kneeled aiming it on his raised knee. He swore as the man checked the corner first then disappeared. Fred rolled sideways as a gun barrel emerged from around the corner and spat tow shots at him. People screamed and ran, covering there heads as a third shot fired. The man, gun aiming at the ground now as he advanced, ducked wildly as Fred shot four times with the Steyer. It lightly etched into his hand every time he fired and it felt comfortable in his hands. It was has if it was made for Fred. He kicked in a door nearby and eyes surveyed the scene. A family of Spanish people were screaming and cowering and one was retrieving a gun, and he soon raised it. Fred kicked dit from his hands and aimed the Steyer at the now cowering man.
“I mean you no harm!” yelled Fred, knowing they wouldn’t understand him. He ran to the door, shot three times, reloaded and kicked in a second door leading to a lounge room. He heard more screams meaning his pursuer was close behind so he kicked out the back door and ran into the street. The man followed content at simply chasing Fred. Fred glanced wildly behind and saw the mans coat fall away into the mud. Fred’s eyes widened with recognition as he saw the bandage wrapped around the mans waist. Sprinted into an alley, into a second then a third before stopping with a raised gun. His pursuer stopped short.
“I have you cornered.” Fred observed. The man nodded weakly then yelled in fright as Fred shot the pistol from his hand.
“So… why did you choose to follow?” Fred asked, “Why not just stay where you were, protected in the hands of friends?” His only answer was a shrug.
So Fred raised the pistol.
Andrew threw away the overcoat he was wearing and straightened his khaki uniform before snapping into the street. The ground constantly shook, though very slightly, and yelling and screaming was coming from the east. They had learned to ignore the sounds of war by now, listening would dishearten them. Andrew hated it, he couldn’t block out the noises. He shivered as he heard a dying man scream, and always hunched slightly when that deep boom of a siege gun came from outside Salamanca. This time, he had reason. There was a sound like ripping paper far above them and everyone in the street ducked and stared into the sky, wondering if that cone tipped shell was going to smash into the ground nearby and snatch, or ruin, their life. The whole street full of people fell back as it landed further up the road, making dust and dirt fall from the building over Andrew. Cobble and mud flew high into the air, tearing holes and muddying nearby buildings. Someone started screaming. Andrew hurried his pace and walked towards the crater up ahead, dreading what was about to happen. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as people walked the opposite way, trying not too look. He walked towards it as a woman kneeled beside the crater. She was covered in mud and smoke and was bawling to the heavens. She held a singe hand in her hand, and it dripped blood as he shook it to the sky. Andrew froze at the scene, stunned by the ferocity of it. A soldier rushed past and touched the lady on the shoulder, before dragging her to her feet. He put a comforting arm around her and led her away, and Andrew watched as he patted her on the back and she cried into his arms. Two medics were at the crater and Andrew walked closer. They were looking into it, and Andrew saw only rubble.
“Poor bugger.”
“Wrong place, wrong time” The medics observed sadly, pulling a sign forth to stop traffic from falling into the hole. Andrew went around it and shook his head like a dog. He stopped; the building in front of him was his destination. Andrew knocked several times and heard something bang from inside.
“If you’re…. a bloody… Hun, I’ll shoot you like a chicken!” wavered the voice, and a drunken officer ripped open the door with a pistol in his hand. He was hunched sideways and waved it towards Fred.
“Are ya a Hun?” he demanded.
“No.”
“Good enough, what’da ya want?” he said cross-eyed.
“I’m looking for a Major Stevenson.” The drunk laughed a rolling laugh.
“The bloody Major, eh? Right here mister! Stevenson! Some old…” The drunk looked carefully, “young chap wants ya, ya gambler!” he said, before clutching his belly and laughing. The major, looking somber and alarmed, passed the drunk and pushed him back before shutting the door. He followed Andrew to the middle of the street. Andrew saw his eyes widen as he saw the large crater.
“We felt that before.” He said, pointing at the crater.
“Yes, I saw, heard and felt the bloody thing.” The major looked at Andrew.
“Scottish, eh?” he queried.
“Yes, sir, Captain Blair. From Aberdeen.” He responded to the unasked question. The Major offered a handshake and Andrew took it.
“Major Stevenson. So… please excuse the behaviour of the Captain beforehand.”
“You have a drunk as a Captain?” asked Andrew incredously. The major smiled,
“Yes… at heart, Mister Blair, we’re all drunks at some point. That Captain though, going to lose his damned Company if he doesn’t shut up and stop drinking.” Said the Major, he glanced at Andrew, “So what did you want?”
“Well, I am sure you’ve met Captain Hamburg, before.”
“Frederickson Hamburg?” he asked. Andrew’s mood picked up.
“Yes, that’s the man. Well, I am looking for him.”
“Why, Mister Blair?”
“Andrews enough, sir. Well… there are, uh, some problems with the Company.” Fumbled Andrew.
“Technical problems? Problems with the Colonel? Surely the Colonel would know, he was there!”
“He was!? Didn’t say a dammed bloody thing to me, just referred me to you.” Said Andrew angrily.
“Whitby’s an arrogant fool, Andrew. I’ve met him before, he believes too much in the past, and sees people’s first impression as their overall impression.” Drew away Stevenson.
“So why do you want, Mister Hamburg?”
“Well… problems, sir, with…” Andrew didn’t want to voice his concern.
“Problems leading it?” asked Stevenson quietly. Andrew nodded. They stopped.
“Andrew… what is to doubt about it?”
“I didn’t want to be responsible for another man’s life.”
“I am sure you’ll be a good leader.”
“I’m not! I know, I repeat, know, that I will lead them to their deaths.”
“How? No, you’re right, not every mans a leader. But hell, we don’t know ‘till they’ve stuffed up!”
“I don’t want to stuff up, major!”
“Well you’re gonna have to. You stuff up, Army boots you to a lower position, or higher or equal like aide. Doesn’t matter, one mistake is easily learnt from. You go well, they keep you, and you rise in position!”
“I wo’t be good.” The Major placed a comforting hand on Andrew’s shoulder and spoke in a low voice, “In battle it will come to you. You will know in battle, if you’re a leader or not. You will be able to tell, Andrew.”
“How?”
“You will, trust me.” He finished, tipping his hat and walking away.
“Good bye, Captain, good luck in your search.” He walked away and Andrew looked forward as a shell rattled overhead.
“Shooting me’s going to get you no where, son.” Spoke the endangered man.
“Prove it!” replied Fred.
“You’re a lost cause obviously. You’re’ dead, once they get you.”
“Army is useless as, proof of that in the fact of your false accusations.” The man laughed at thus.
“False? Do not josh with me, Fred!”
“I am not joking! Who are you?” demanded Fred in a roar which scattered the birds above them.
“I’m the man who is going to kill you.” A pebble cracked behind Fred and Fred drew the Colt in his pocket shooting behind him before realizing the imprisoned man had ran into the building next to them. The door flapped invitingly. He stepped to it before pausing. Should he chase after the man, who would run straight into the main street and into the crowd? Or perhaps be waiting for him behind that door… Guns cracked from the other side of the building and this made Fred’s mind. He sprinted down the alley just as a group of German soldiers appeared behind him. The German officer in his iron grey uniform pointed and roared at Fred as the group lined up in two rows.
“Feuer!” He roared and the two rows fired in unison. Fred barged into a building next to him as they skipped past before turning. No one was there so he kicked down several doors before finding the front door which he crashed through into an innocent street. Ignoring the screams of alarm he ran down it as the Germans once again followed. He ran through several alleys before stopping. He was facing a dead end but he had two pistols in his hand. He felt like a statue. The bowler hat covered his forehead as the wind picked up the the tailcoats of his overcoat. His arms were straight as they held and aimed the Colt and Steyer. Boots were thumping nearby and he swallowed heavily. Is death was in those hands, coming closer every second. Just as a nozzle of a Mauser split into the deadened a gun fired from the second floor of a nearby building. It was followed by seven more shots from other buildings. There were panicked cries and a grey covered body fell forward. Fred ran, covering his head and felt the wind part as bullets whished past. He finally made it too the alley opposite and then into the main street which was empty. He ran forward along it, glancing nervously behind his back as the firefight continued, though slowing down. It stopped as he reached the next street and cried out in alarm as someone grabbed him. He noticed the calm face of Richeaul.
“What happened?” he demanded, pulling Fred behind him and looking down the street.
“Someone was following me…”
“Who?”
“I…I, don’t know.” Fred replied.
“And then?”
“I ran, ended up nearly shooting him.”
“And you had a moment of kindness, monsieur? Or too weak?” said Richeaul expectantly.
“No.” said Fred after a pause, just as Richeaul swore in French.
“Tell me later, the Germans…” his voice trailed away, “Damn it.” Fred tried to look but was brushed back by Richeaul.
“What?”
“Run like hell wants you.” Ordered Richeaul, and he turned and sprinted the fastest Fred had ever seen him run (Not very often.) Fred heard thumping boots and sprinted after him. He heard the…
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Fred didn’t know whether it was his boots, heart or Germans. Richeaul looked back to see if Fred was coming, and Fred looked back to see if the Germans were coming. No one. He was scared, they were nearby, and he knew it. He expected a volley of bullets to sweep Richeaul into the next street; he expected to be gunned down by a passing German scout automobile. Silence was what answered his dangerous thoughts. Fred puffed as he ran up a hill and felt relief when he saw Richeaul enter the hotel. He entered after him then fell to his knees.
Andrew felt better. His was much more confident the coming battle would swing in his favour, almost looking forward to it. He, as always, shuddered as a shell blew up somewhere in the city. He yelled and stepped back as a massive split ripped through the cottage next to him. It shuddered then the concrete slipped from its foundations and tumbled into the street. Andrew jumped out of the way and a large rock skipped over his head.
“Bloody hell!” He yelled as a hand drew him up. A soldier stood there,
“Need a medic?” the man asked kindly.
“No, thanks. Bloody thing just split like a bloody log.” Commented Andrew after brushing away the dust which had thrown itself high into the air.
“Yeah… heaps of buildings doing that lately. Spanish man got crushed the other day after being punched into the wall.” Andrew snorted,
“Don’t let anymore buildings attack you.” Said the man, grinning and walking away. Andrew laughed and went into the next street. People passed him, doing their daily business as if the place wasn’t being sieged. The ground shaking reminded them though they weren’t alone in this lovely old city. Andrew sighed. He hated living here. Day after day there nerves were tested as shell after shell flew for them. What if the Lord had drawn his name? Was it his time to die? Would he die in this very street, or perhaps have his leg blown off in the next and bleed to death, all alone… It was then Andrew realised what was happening. For the first time in weeks…
There was silence.
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