Authors: Denise Kahn
CHAPTER 32
Monster Baby, as the men had lovingly named the ugly, ominous truck, rolled back into Alexandria. People turned their head away from the morgue vehicle. Superstition commanded it, but the soldiers did not. They watched the vehicle and then an officer shouted an order. The soldiers ran out into the street and surrounded it. They pointed their rifles at the men inside. Gibril stopped. “
RAUS!
EVERYBODY OUT!” The officer shouted. One by one they came out. They were asked for their papers.
“I am Doctor Ali. I am the head of the Alexandria Hospital. This is Doctor Gibril and these men are from the mortuary.”
“So where are the dead?” The officer asked.
“They have been burned.”
“Your papers!” He shouted. Ali and Gibril produced them from inside of their smocks. The officer looked at them. As he was studying them the Greek men made eye contact with each other. At the exact same moment they bolted and ran in four different directions. The soldiers opened fire. Nico felt the bullets fly by him. He kept running and then he saw two of the men go down. The teacher and the Greek doctor lay limp on the street with crazy blood designs decorating their smocks. They didn’t move. Nico cursed and ran even faster. He saw Aleko close by and then the man did an obscene somersault. Blood sprayed away from his head and he fell sprawling to the ground. Nico screamed and ran toward him. Suddenly Aleko was moving and trying to get up. He was bleeding from a gash on the side of his head. Nico stopped to help him.
“Get up, man!” Nico shouted.
“Go on without me. I can’t go on. I’ve been hit.”
“The bullet only grazed you. Now shut up and get up,” Nico said helping him. Aleko tried but his legs buckled and he fell back down. Nico lifted him up and threw him over his shoulder. He ran into the souq and disappeared.
Ali was tinkering in the shed behind the villa. He didn’t see them but he felt them. He whirled around. “You’re alive!” He whispered, seeing Nico and Aleko.
“Yes, my friend,” Nico answered.
Ali saw the dirty rag around Aleko’s head. “Are you hurt?” He asked, putting his hand on the bandage. “Let me take a look at it.” He unwrapped it and saw the deep gash. “You’re a lucky man. A few more millimeters… Anyway, let me fix it up. I have my case in the house. I’ll be right back.”
“Is anyone watching the house? We didn’t see any Germans.”
“I don’t know. But I doubt the Gestapo would give up that easily. They’re trying to find you two. Oh, and good news. The teacher was shot in the legs and the doctor only took a bullet in the shoulder.”
“That’s good news?” Aleko asked.
“The good news is that they are alive and at the hospital. The soldiers didn’t bother with them. They were only interested in the ones who escaped. They thought the other two were dead. When they left we took them to the hospital. They’ll both be alright, but I don’t know if the teacher will keep his legs or ever walk again. Anyway, we’ll take care of them. Now let me go get my case.” Ali quickly and silently went to the house and came back a few minutes later with his medical bag. He also brought back some bread, fruit and water.
“Ali, you’re always feeding me, my friend,” Nico said.
“Always a pleasure. Now let’s get this cut fixed up.” As Nico ate Aleko stood still and gritted his teeth. Ali cleaned the wound, stitched it up and bandaged his head.
“You have to get out of here. It is much too dangerous for you to stay in Egypt.” Nico nodded. “A plane is leaving for Crete tonight. It is all set. They are expecting you.”
“But how?”
“Compliments of the Resistance. I had a feeling you would come back here.”
“You’re very wise, Ali, but why Crete? There is a war going on there.”
“Of course, but it is better than the Gestapo following you around here. Besides, you can blend in. It is easier to be in the middle of a war than to be followed by those bloodhounds.”
Nico knew Ali was right. That was the best way to get away from the Gestapo. Even the Germans wouldn’t think that they would go back into the lion’s den. Besides, he thought, he would be back in Greece and closer to his beloved family. “Tonight it is then, but you must promise to come to Athens after this damn war is finally over.”
“I promise. You just stay safe and take care of those lovely ladies.”
♫
CHAPTER 33
Nico and Aleko stared at the Hamilcar. “Where’s the engine?” Nico asked.
“I greatly respect German engineering, but this is a British jewel. It’s a high wing cantilever monoplane. It’s a glider,” Aleko answered, more enthused than he’d been in a long time. Nico just stared some more.
“Come on, come on, let’s go!” A tall, big, British officer with a red face and ruddy complexion said as he hurried them into the aircraft. The Greek men climbed aboard and took a seat on the hard wooden bench lining the sides of the plane. They squeezed in between a unit of British soldiers. Nico took a closer look at their uniforms and suddenly realized they were wearing parachutes. “They’re paratroopers.” Nico whispered to Aleko.
“Yes, I noticed that too.”
“Oh, shit.”
“My thoughts exactly. Well, maybe it won’t be too bad. We can pretend we’re Ikarus.”
“Ikarus got too close to the sun and burned his wings. Basically, he crashed.”
“Well, we won’t get too close to the sun, it’s nighttime.”
Nico grimaced. “Sir, excuse me,” Nico said, turning to the British officer.
“Yes?”
“Those tanks up front, aren’t they heavy for a glider?”
“They’re Tetrarchs, Light tank Mk VII to be exact. They only weigh a little over seven tons,” the officer answered proudly.
“I see… only a little over seven tons,” Nico repeated.
Aleko watched his friend and wondered how he could speak without breathing.
“We’re going to have great fun, Laddy, you’ll see,” the officer said, and slapped Nico playfully on his shoulder with the biggest open palm he had ever seen. Nico winced as the officer laughed all the way down to his seat.
They rolled down the runway. Nico grabbed the sides of the bench so tight that his knuckles turned white. Moments later they were airborne and flew high into the night.
“That was great! And it’s so wonderfully quiet,” Aleko said.
“Yes, it’s uh, interesting.”
“Ah, relax, Nico. It’s going to be fine.”
“Mm, yes, I’m sure. How’s your head? Ali said you had a bad concussion.”
“Just a headache, not too bad. He gave me some aspirin, Bayer, German pills. They work very well. I wonder where he got them.”
“That’s good. At least you don’t have to contend with any engine noise.” Nico looked glum. Aleko laughed.
“What’s wrong, Nico? Never been in a plane before?”
“Oh, sure, just never jumped
out
of a plane before. A glider no less...”
“Alright, ladies,” the British officer said, interrupting them, “time to get dressed.” He handed them each a parachute. Nico felt the blood drain out of his face. “We’ll be over the site soon.” He helped them into their gear and double checked the equipment. “Looking good, gentlemen, looking good.” Nico curled one side of his mouth. He couldn’t quite manage a full smile.
“Are the tanks going to parachute out as well?” Nico asked.
“No, just us.” The officer grinned at Nico. “They have another mission.”
“I see.” He didn’t.
“Oh, and by the way, change of plans. We’re not landing in Crete anymore.
“Where are we going?” Aleko asked.
“Mainland Greece.”
A red light appeared over the door. Nico saw it. “Oh, shit.”
“UP!” The officer bellowed. The unit stood up, as did Aleko. Nico didn’t. Aleko grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
The door opened and the light turned to green. One by one they jumped out of the plane. Nico and Aleko were last, the officer behind them. “Remember to bend your knees when you land. Good luck men,” he shouted. “I’ll come visit you some day, Laddy.”
“Yes, that would be lovely, please do.” Nico said, managing a polite whispered reply. What he really wanted to say was that he wouldn’t be around, that he would be
down there
, like a dead squashed cockroach.
“Oh, and keep breathing,” the officer said. Aleko crossed himself, closed his eyes, and jumped. Nico saw his friend’s chute open and tried to follow him out, but he was frozen—more from fear than from the cold blast that was coming in from the open door. He noticed that his legs had turned to jelly and he couldn’t move. “Laddy, if you don’t jump I’m going to put me boot up your arse,” the Britisher said. Nico heard him laughing as he was pushed into the vastness of the night and plummeted down to earth.
Nico screamed until his parachute burst open. When it did he was forcefully pulled back up. He lost his breath and wondered if his heart stopped beating from the shock. Then he floated down, swinging gently from side to side. This isn’t so bad, he thought, and smiled for the first time since boarding the glider. He also realized that his heart had its natural rhythm back. He stretched out his arms and sang: “Look at me! I’m a bird, I’m a bird, I can fly!” He thought of his beloved Valentina. “I am Apollo!,” he shouted, “I am flying to you,
poulaki mou,
my little bird, I will cradle you in my arms and never let you go!” Nico sang as loud as he could, happier than he had been in a very long time. The singing relaxed him, and the thought of his beloved wife completed him. Of course, there was still the landing. He tried to keep his mind away from the upcoming catastrophe.
Nico saw the ground rushing up to him and at the last moment he remembered to bend his knees. He landed harder than he expected and groaned as he tumbled over himself. Nico kept rolling, a skein of silk, rope and limbs. When he finally stopped he wondered how many bones he had broken. He waited for the pain, but it was no worse than scraped chin and hands. My God, I made it, he said to himself. He looked up at the sky. The plane was gone and he was grateful for the dense blackness. “I don’t know which one of you is watching over me,” he said, whispering to the hidden stars, “but you must be working overtime. Thank you. If I may be so bold as to ask you for one more little favor, please try to make sure my family is alright, I would be very grateful.”
Out of the darkness a man ran over and helped Nico out of his parachute. “I am Costas, come with me.” They hid the bundle among some trees. Nico met up with Aleko and another man and followed them. Nico saw the British officer take off with his unit in another direction. He turned just in time to see Nico salute him. He grinned and saluted back.
“Good luck to you, Laddie, good luck to all of us,” he whispered, as he disappeared into the darkness of the trees and the forest.
Costas and his partner brought Aleko and Nico to their camp and motioned for them to sit down. “Have something to eat,” Costas said and walked away.
They sat around a fire and ate heartily, grateful to be back in Greece and to the
Palikaria
, the courageous men who risked their lives to meet them. A young woman brought them some fruit. Nico looked at her. There was something familiar about her and then it hit him. “Oh, my God, Rebeka!” Nico exclaimed. She spun around and muffled a scream and then hugged him.
“Kyrie Nico
, Mister Nico!”
Costas, who had returned, stood behind her. “You know him?” He asked.
“Oh, yes! He and his family saved my life and kept me in their house for months. They put their lives on the line to shelter me.”
“It is so good to see you!” Nico said. “What about my family? Do you know if they are alright?”
“I don’t know, it’s been a while since I left Athens, but they were fine then.” Nico nodded. She didn’t tell him about Melina and the Gestapo, or that they were looking for him.
“Tell me Costas, where exactly are we?” Nico asked.
“Not too far from Patras. Tomorrow we move on into the mountains near Kalavrita. That is where the Resistance has its base. You are welcome to come with us.”
“Mission?”
Costas nodded. “Yes. We can use all the help we can get.”
“It will be my honor. It is the least I can do. You came to my rescue and I am available to do anything to get these enemies out of our country.”
Costas looked at Aleko who was nodding off to sleep as he was eating. “What’s up with him?”
“He was shot and has a concussion. He’ll be alright.”
“He was shot in the head?”
“Well, yes. Actually the bullet grazed him. He just has a big gash and a few stitches. He’ll be as good as new in no time.”
“Will he be alright for the mission?”
“Absolutely, don’t worry about him. He’s an amazing guy.”
A man ran up behind Costas. “He’s coming! He’s coming! The
Amerikanós
is coming!” He cried.
They could hear the sounds of a jeep in the distance. Costas ran off toward the woods and beckoned to Nico who immediately jumped up and followed the men. They crouched behind some trees and waited for the all-terrain vehicle to come to a full stop. The driver turned off the engine and waited. The guerillas came out of their hiding place and went up to him. Costas greeted him with a strong handshake. “Good to see you, my friend!”
“And you too, Costas,” the American answered in fluent Greek. “I brought you some goodies,” he said grinning. The jeep was full of supplies. “Rifles, pistols, ammunition, grenades, dynamite and cans of food.”
“You are an angel from heaven.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. What I do know is that we’re winning this damn war. The Germans are being pushed out of Greece inch by inch. We’ll get it done,” the man said, with typical American confidence.
Costas smiled. “Yes, that is good news, my friend.” He looked at the car. “What happened? It’s full of bullet holes!”
“Yeah, one of the patrols saw me and started firing. Those bullets flying by my face didn’t do much for my poor eardrums. I’m still hearing bells in my head and I’m
really
glad the ammunition wasn’t hit!”
“Well, I’m just very grateful that you’re alive and you didn’t become a firecracker. Let me introduce you to Nico, a great patriot, First War and now this one.” The two men shook hands. Costas continued: “This is William Walters from the U.S. State Department—a great ally and a great man.”
“That’s enough of that,” William said, “do you have anything to drink?”
“Ouzo?” Costas said.
“I was thinking of water, but that’ll work.”
The next day they headed out toward Kalavrita. William drove the jeep with Nico and Aleko. Costas and the rest of the group of resistance fighters, including Rebeka, followed on horseback or mules. Kalavrita was difficult to get to, which was another reason why they chose the village. They took small windy roads and passed by deep gorges. By late afternoon they arrived at a monastery. The fighters dismounted and William stopped the jeep.
“The little church is beautiful. Do you know anything about it?” William asked Nico.
“Oh, yes!” Nico answered, always thrilled when asked to share knowledge. “Greece was under Turkish occupation for four hundred years and it was here at Aghia Lavra on March 21
st
of 1821 that Archbishop Germanos of Patras proclaimed a revolt for an independent Greece. The monastery is famous for its role in the liberation of our war of independence.”
“And it is only fitting that our headquarters is located here,” Costas added proudly. He was standing behind them. “We will push the Nazis out like we did the Turks. And recently, when Metaxa, our Prime Minister at the time, was given an ultimatum by the Italians asking us to surrender, his answer was
Oxi!
No! That’s all he said. When the Italians attacked we threw them out of Greece and pushed them back into Albania. Since the Italians couldn’t handle it, the Germans came in.”
William came to realize that all Greeks loved talking about their history, and were damn proud of it. They entered the monastery and were met by a priest who immediately embraced Costas. “It is good to see you again, my son.”
“You too, Father.”
“Let me introduce you. This is William, an Amerikanós who has come to help us, and Nico and Aleko, heroes all.”
“I have information for you, actually, it’s more of a message,” the priest said seriously. “The Germans are all around Kalavrita and the other villages. The villagers around here are begging you not to have your headquarters here because the Germans will retaliate. They have promised you support and anything you need, but to please not stay around here.”
Costas face flushed red. “We are the Resistance! We are fighting and dying to free this country and it is only fitting that we are based here. We live in the wild like animals so that others may live as humans. Their request is absurd.” There was no moving him. Costas was adamant and the subject ended right there.
The next morning Costas sent a man with a shovel to dig a hole. “I want you to dig it deep so that a man can fit into it standing up. Understood?” The man nodded and went off into an open field.
That afternoon the Germans were on patrol. The troops searched the surrounding area and spotted the Guerillas. They opened fire. The Resistance retaliated and Costas ran to William. “Come with me!” He shouted. William followed and Costas led him to the hole. “Get in there and don’t move!” He ordered.