A Different Kind of Freedom

by

Julie O

Chapter One

  

Group Captain Reginald "Reggie" Carpenter slowly walked the perimeter of the camp, lost in thought. As the senior officer of the camp he was often called on to make difficult decisions, but today he was faced with an extremely complicated one. Reggie stopped and looked across the fence line, freedom was so close and yet so far. He glanced up at the closest goon tower and saw that the guard was watching his every move. Goon was the nickname that they called the Germans. Not that it was necessary, but the guard patted his machinegun as a warning.

The British officer nodded and continued his morning walk. He pulled his collar up, in a vain attempt to shield himself from the harsh Baltic winds. He looked up at the slate gray colored sky and shivered. This was his second winter in captivity and there was no end in sight. He thought about that horrible May day in 1940 when his Spitfire had been shot down over Dunkirk. Normally, a senior officer like him wouldn't have been in combat, but those were desperate days. He had been put in charge of a makeshift squadron of fighters and told to defend the evacuation of British troops from France at all cost. They had done their best against nearly insurmountable odds. He had had the bad luck to crash land his plane just outside the British lines and had been immediately captured. He was now a Kriegie, a play on the German word for prisoner of war, Kriegsgefangener.

He tried to flex his left leg, but it was very stiff today. The German doctor who initially treated him had told him that he would always walk with a limp, but at least they had saved the leg. Still, he needed a cane, but he wouldn't let that stop him from taking a daily walk.

Reggie put his personal discomfort and problems out of his head and focused on the real problem. Six days earlier several new prisoners had arrived at their camp, Luft Stalag I. Internal security had screened each new prisoner and verified that they weren't German plants. Reggie was very proud of the prisoners in his camp; they had a very efficient organization with several successful escapes to their credit. Due to his leg, escape was out of the question for him; still Reggie got a sense of accomplishment for every man who escaped. Internal security was a major concern and twice the Germans had tried to get informants into the camp. Both had been detected and been "transferred."

The Luftwaffe, the German air force, controlled the camp and they treated the captured officers with respect. Most of the Kriegies were British. They included men from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and other members of the commonwealth. There were a few Yanks too. In the past few months, they had starting arriving in ever increasing numbers.

"Security" was Wing Commander Ian Nelson. He had been shot down over the English Channel during the Battle of Britain and had been scooped up by the Germans. He never forgave them for "rescuing" him. He was determined to escape, but until that time he ran all internal security in the camp. Security had given all six of the new arrivals the thumbs up. However, Security felt that one of the men was hiding something. The prisoner in question claimed to be a bombardier, and although everything seemed normal, there was something amiss.

The man in question was Flight Lieutenant Niles Stewart and he seemed to be too old to be a bombardier. Security recommended that Reggie interview the man personally. Reggie had met with Niles yesterday and discovered that the man was hiding something. Niles had admitted that he wasn't who he claimed to be; he was actually an intelligence officer. Reggie recalled the conversation as if it had just happened.

****

"I assumed the identity of Flight Lieutenant Stewart for the mission, just in case this sort of thing occurred. I had served in bombers a long time ago, so fooling the Germans wasn't too hard," stated the man claiming to be Niles Stewart.

"So who are you?" asked Reggie.

"I can't tell you. For now, just called me Niles," he replied.

"Do you outrank me?" asked Reggie.

The silence from Niles confirmed this.

"I understand. Your true identity would be of great interest to the Germans," stated Reggie.

"It's more serious than that. I was on a special mission," replied Niles.

"And you can't tell me what it is."

"Exactly. It's essential that I escape and get back to England as soon as possible," confessed Niles.

Reggie looked at Niles. He saw an older, slightly overweight man. Not the best candidate for an escape. However, when Reggie looked into the man's eyes he saw a look of pure determination.

"That will be difficult. You're at Luft Stalag I. We're located on the Baltic coast near a small town called Barth. The closest rail line is almost twenty kilometers away in Stralsund. We usually select escape candidates who are in good physical condition, so they can make the cross-country journey quickly. No offense, but you have the look of a bureaucrat," explained Reggie.

"You're right. But I must try it," answered Niles firmly.

They walked in silence for several minutes. "Do you speak German?" asked Reggie.

"Fluently, along with French, Danish, and Swedish," replied Niles.

Reggie nodded, many of the men were bilingual, but he was surprised that the man also spoke Danish. "Good, that will make it a bit easier. You also understand that time is everything in an escape. You must be able to get out of the area of the camp, before your absence is detected. The Germans aren't stupid; they know that our escape routes from this camp are very limited. We try to keep escapes a secret for as long as possible."

"How?" asked Niles.

Reggie smiled. "I'm entitled to my secrets too."

Niles nodded and cracked a small grin. "Of course."

"I think we'll have to have someone escape with you," stated Reggie.

"No. I can't risk that!"

Reggie shook his head. "I insist on it. If you were younger or more athletic, I'd let you go on your own."

"I don't want to risk another man's life," replied Niles.

"That's part of our job. It's always easier to risk one's own life. I'll have to turn this over to the escape committee. I'll be discrete concerning your identity. If there is a way of getting out of here, they'll find it," explained Reggie.

Niles nodded. "I have one more request - no make that an order; if you can't get me out of here, then you must have me killed. The longer I'm here, the greater the possibility they'll find out who I am," he replied in a very serious tone.

******

Reggie continued his walk and thought about Niles. Deep down, he knew that the man was telling him the truth. The escape could be arranged, but the odds of successfully getting back to Britain were small. If Niles were captured, there was the likelihood that the Gestapo would become involved and that his secret would be exposed. If they suspected he was lying, then they would reclassify him as a spy and his prisoner status would be lost; his escape companion would share that same fate.

Still, the urgency in Niles voice convinced Reggie that the escape had to be attempted; he didn't want to think of the alternative, killing the man. Reggie reached the far fence line, turned around, and headed to his barracks. He would call a meeting of the escape committee and leave it to the experts. They always had the last say on whether or not an escape could or would be attempted.

 

Chapter Two

Squadron Leader William McKenzie was the head of the escape committee. He was a stocky red headed man with piercing eyes. He had been born in Edinburgh, and because of his Scottish heritage, he was just called Jock. Like Reggie, he had been shot down in 1940. In many ways, the Germans would have been better off if he had never been captured. Jock had made six escape attempts and had assisted on dozens more. He wasn't content to sit out the war in a camp and he had become a major thorn in the Germans' side.

At Stalag Luft I, Jock had formed his escape committee. He was blessed with a wealth of talent. There was a forger who had been a counterfeiter before the war; he took extreme pride in the fact that his papers were never detected as fake. They had a man who was an accomplished scrounger and blackmailer. Jock was amazed at the things he could acquire. There was a tailor who could convert uniforms into any manner of escape costume. Tunnels were taken care of by two Welshmen who had been miners before joining the RAF. The soil at the camp wasn't the best for tunneling, but they had dug several tunnels successfully.

Jock was also pleased that any man who escaped could be provided with a compass and special escape rations. They had a team of manufacturers to thank for this. For every man that escaped, there were hundreds of men who provided assistance in one way or another.

What gave Jock the biggest sense of pride was the deception team he had created. They had borrowed an idea that Jock had seen in another camp; they created near lifelike dummies that could be used at the various roll calls. If the Germans got sloppy during muster, then the escapees had extra time in getting away from the camp, usually 24 hours. So far, the Germans hadn't caught on to the trick.

Jock explained the need to get two men out of the camp as soon as possible. The members of the committee discussed the pros and cons of various ways of escaping and the risks involved. In the end, they gave their approval to the proposed escape.

Following the meeting, Jock met with Reggie. They walked around the perimeter of the camp. They did this often, so today's meeting didn't look out of the ordinary to the guards.

"We can get him across the wire easy enough, but I have my doubts about his ability to make it from there," stated Jock. "However, we may have a solution."

"Go on," stated Reggie.

"Deception. We disguise him," continued Jock. "I'll be meeting with some of the blokes in the theater and see if they can help us.

 

Chapter Three

The Germans did supply means for the prisoners to entertain themselves. They provided a theater, musical instruments, a library, and sporting equipment. In the spring they provided gardening tools, although those were inventoried daily.

The men in the Kriegie theater troupe took their jobs very seriously. They knew that entertaining the men was necessary for preserving morale. Additionally, they had helped the escape committee many times.

Jock arrived and found the troupe practicing for their next performance. It was Much Ado About Nothing. Comedies always went over better with the men.

"Not bad, " remarked Richard Green. Before the war he had run a small theater in London, and now he was the producer for all the performances.

"No, not at all," added Jock, as he watched the performance. "I'll need your help again."

"I thought so. Tell me what you need," replied Richard with a smile.

"How would you best disguise a man who couldn't move quickly, so that he wouldn't attract attention?"

"Hmm. Will he be alone or with someone else?" asked Richard.

"There will be a second. Does that make it easier or harder?"

"Easier. It gives us more options. When can I meet them?"

"Only one of them. The other hasn't been selected yet. After you give me your recommendations, we'll pick a second that matches," explained Jock.

"Excellent!"

"His name is Flight Lieutenant Niles Stewart," stated Jock.

Richard seemed to be trying to place the name. "Oh, yes. He's one of the new bunch that arrived last week. Seems like a friendly bloke. I can see why you're seeking my help; he's not exactly a young man. That's it! We'll make him an even older man. We can dye his hair gray and a few other tricks that'll fool Jerry."

Jerry was one of the nicer names the men called the Germans.

"I'll arrange the meeting. Get back to me as soon as you can."

"I will," replied Richard. He could sense that this was more than a normal escape.

Jock nodded. "Thanks."

 

Chapter Four

Two days later Reggie, Richard, Jock, and Ian met in one of the barracks. It appeared that they were just playing cards. The room they were in was considered clean and was checked regularly for German microphones. Many of the rooms were bugged, including Reggie's room. The men left these microphones alone and used them to pass false information to the Germans.

"I have an idea that I'd like to run by you," stated Richard. "We want to make Niles appear to be an older man. To give him a reason for traveling, he will be escorting his daughter to visit her husband."

"Excuse me, but I must have misunderstood you. Did you say daughter?" asked a shocked Ian.

"Yes. It will be the perfect cover. Jerry is less likely to stop a man with his daughter," explained Richard.

"One slight problem. Where do we get a young woman?" asked Jock with a smile.

"One of our troupe. He's a Yank, even though he flew with a Canadian squadron, and is perfect for the job. He's young, slight of build, and speaks perfect German," continued Richard. "You saw him the other day. He was the one playing Hero."

"I really didn't pay that much attention, but I would like to see a performance," stated Jock.

"So would I," added Reggie.

"Is he willing to volunteer?" asked Ian.

"I think so. He's quite a remarkable young man," stated Richard.

 

Chapter Five

Reggie sat down across from Flying Officer Andrew Baker. "Tell me about yourself."

Andy fidgeted nervously. Junior officers often felt nervous when in front of their commanding officer. Andy wondered if he had done something wrong. "Well, you know that I'm not really a Canadian. I was in college while the Battle of Britain was going on and felt compelled to join. I caught a train across the border and enlisted in Toronto. They weren't that picky back then."

Reggie nodded knowingly. "What did your family think of your decision?"

"My mother died when I was young; as for my father, he wasn't surprised,"

"So how did you end up in the RCAF?"

"My father was a pilot and he taught me to fly when I was twelve. He had an air delivery service, and I filled in whenever he needed a pilot. I told the recruiting officer I knew how to fly and he arranged for me to get into the air force," explained Andy. He couldn't help notice that he was being sized up.

Reggie was studying the young man. Andy was short and slight of build. He had a fair complexion and looked like he had never shaved in his life. His blond hair was longer than regulation, but that was because of his role in the theater. They had no wigs and Richard allowed some of his actors to grow their hair longer. Reggie knew that the young officer could pass as a woman. He also had enough of a resemblance to Niles so that they could be seen as family.

"I was assigned to a fighter squadron and was shot down six months ago during a run into France," continued Andy.

Reggie nodded. He knew about the pinprick raids the RAF conducted. One or two fighters would fly over to France and attack any target of opportunity. They didn't cause any real damage, but they helped morale. He also knew Andy's record. Security provided him a brief on Andy's war record. Andy had shot down four Germans and had several more unconfirmed kills before he was shot down.

"Tell me, Andrew, do you speak any foreign languages besides American?"

Andy laughed. "I can speak German. Where I grew up, near Cincinnati, there were a lot of German immigrant families. I guess I just picked it up. I was also going to study engineering in college, and well, many of the best technical publications are in German."

"How old are you?" asked Reggie.

"I turned twenty last month. I figured since I was lying about my identity, what difference would it make if I lied about my age too?" replied Andy. He then broke out in a big smile. "Do you think the Germans would send me home for being underage?

"Would you like to escape?" asked Reggie, chuckling at Andy's joke.

Andy stared back at his senior officer. Was he serious? "I'd do anything to escape from this shit hole. Oops! Sorry, sir!"

Reggie concealed his smile. "I was hoping that you would say that. We have an escape in mind that requires someone like you."

"What do I have to do?" asked Andy.

"I understand you're playing Hero in the latest production. Do you mind playing a female role?"

Andy seemed confused. What did this have to do with anything? Did Group Captain Carpenter think he was a homosexual? "I like to act. I was asked to take a female role and considering the lack of women here, I didn't see any problem with it."

Reggie sensed Andy's confusion and fear and smiled slightly. "Son, no one is accusing you of anything. If it makes you feel better, I played Juliet in my public school's production of Romeo and Juliet. No, what I want to know is whether you think you could take on a female role for what could be a more demanding and less forgiving audience, and possibly over quite a period of time?"

There was a long silence as Andy absorbed what Reggie was asking him. "Do you mean that you want me to escape dressed as a woman?"

Reggie nodded. "If you say no, no one will think less of you."

Andy sat there thinking about the possibilities. It would be the role of a lifetime, and it could mean his ticket out of the camp. There must be a very important reason why they wanted him to do this.

"I'll do it, sir," replied Andy.

"Before you volunteer, I want you to know the risks. If you're caught, you could be treated as a spy. If the Gestapo get their hands on you, it won't be pleasant."

"I understand. I still want to do it," reiterated Andy.

"I'll let Squadron Leader McKenzie know that you've volunteered. He'll brief you on the details. Let me just say that I want to shake your hand. You're a very brave man," stated Reggie, extending his hand.

Andy shook hands and began to realize that this must be more dangerous than he had thought. Still, it beat sitting out the war in a dreary Stalag.

 

Chapter Six

It was Andy's turn to be lost in thought. Everything he had done in his life had been to prove that he was a real man - anything to shield from the world that he had these strange cravings to wear women's clothes. Yet, he always had temptation thrown at him. In some ways he had been almost happy to be shot down and sent to a camp. That way he wouldn't be tempted to dress. Then he was grabbed by the theater troupe, and was picked to play a woman's role, and now this escape plan. Would they suspect his secret? If they did, what would happen to him? Deep down, he felt that he was really a woman. He'd had these feeling for as long as he could remember. He didn't like men; he just wanted to wear women's clothes. But he knew that this explanation wouldn't make any difference to the men of the camp; he would be labeled a homosexual and that would mean punishment. Wouldn't it be ironic to escape from the camp and then be placed in a British prison, he thought.

He looked at his watch and headed to his meeting with Squadron Leader McKenzie. He then shifted his thoughts to why on Earth would they need him for the escape.

Jock was sitting in his room in front of a chessboard. He had earned a reputation for being one of the best players in the camp, and this allowed him to talk with various other Kriegies without drawing unwanted attention. The regular guards weren't the problem; it was the ferrets that worried Jock. Ferrets were the special guards who were always looking for anything unusual. Jock begrudgingly admired their dedication. Their vigilance forced Jock and his men to constantly stay alert.

Andy arrived on time. He's prompt, that a good sign, thought Jock. "So, Flying Officer Baker, you feel you're ready to challenge me?"

"Yes, sir. Now which piece moves horizontally?" replied Andy with a smile.

Jock had heard that Andy had a warped sense of humor. He had checked up on Andy and found that he was well liked and considered to be very intelligent. He was an excellent candidate for escape, thought Jock.

They started to play. Jock appeared to be focused on the board, but he kept one eye on one of the other Kriegies who appeared to reading a book. Actually, he was watching the front door and if he laid his book down that would mean that a ferret was approaching. Unlike the regular guards, the ferrets didn't keep to a set schedule.

"I'm pleased you volunteered," stated Jock. The term escape would never be mentioned in an open barracks.

"It sounded like a part I couldn't pass up," replied Andy, as he contemplated his next move.

"It will be an interesting role. You'll be a young bride traveling to see her husband. Your father will be your escort."

"I see. So, where is my dearest?" quipped Andy.

"He's in a Kriegsmarine convalescent hospital outside Hamburg. He's an officer from a U-boat," explained Jock.

"Hamburg - nice port," replied Andy, as he made another move.

Jock stared at the board for a second. Andy's move was rather unconventional and it had surprised him. "Yes, there are ships from Sweden there all the time."

Andy nodded. "I don't speak Swedish."

"Your father does," replied Jock with a smile. He moved his rook to threaten Andy's bishop.

"Of course, how could I forget! So, when do I meet Father?" Andy contemplated his next move and cracked a slight smile. He then moved his queen to counter Jock's move.

Jock noticed the smile. What was he up to? "Not for a while. The play won't start until next month, better performance weather."

Andy nodded and watched as Jock made his next move.

"In the meantime, you'll be fitted for your costume," added Jock.

"I'm sure that will be a challenge."

"Flight Lieutenant Barnes stated that it would be," answered Jock. Barnes was in charge of providing outfits for all escapees. "However, he feels that his men can handle it."

Andy sprung his trap with his next move.

Jock stared at the board and went over his options in his head. "By the way, how often do you shave?"

Andy felt a little embarrassed and reached up to rub his chin. "Once a week, maybe every ten days, maybe longer."

"Don't feel bad about not having a beard. In this case, it will work to your advantage. If things work out, you should be free and clear in less than three or four days," explained Jock. He was beginning to get a good feeling about Andy and his chances of pulling this off.

"So, when do I meet with Barnes?" asked Andy.

"As soon as this match is over," replied Jock, as he moved his queen.

"In that case, checkmate," stated Andy as he made his move.

Jock looked at the board and then up at Andy. "That was a sneaky move. Absolutely brilliant! I demand a rematch," stated Jock with a laugh.

"Sure, anytime," stated Andy as he stood up and began to put on his coat.

"I underestimated you, Andy, in more than one way. I look forward to our next match," replied Jock with a smile on his face.

Andy nodded and started out of the room. "Thanks for the game."

 

Chapter Seven

Howard Barnes measured Andy. Like most of the men in the camp, Andy was underweight.

"I have several outfits in mind for you. The main one will be a skirt and jacket, with a blouse– the kind of thing a smartly dressed woman would travel in. I will also provide you with a dress. Additionally, you'll need a hat, shoes, gloves, a coat, handbag, suitcase, and jewelry," explained Barnes.

Howard Barnes had owned a tailor shop in London' s theatre district before the war. He took great personal pride in his work in the camp. He had assembled a great team of men, including a cobbler.

Andy nodded. "I hope this isn't too much trouble."

"Trouble? Andy, this is a fabulous challenge! I'm so sick of making regular workingmen's outfits. My cobbler can't wait to start work on your shoes. Don't worry, no one will suspect a thing about your outfit."

"So, how do you know what style to have me wear?" asked Andy.

"I have newspapers and magazines to work from. Somehow they got them from the guards. I don't ask how, I just appreciate that they can get me things. Buttons for example, will be a challenge, but I've already put in my order with the scroungers."

"I'm amazed how many people are involved in something like this," stated Andy.

"It keeps us sane. I'd love to make a run myself, but I know that I wouldn't last five minutes out there, so I help in getting others out."

Andy nodded again.

"Your undergarments will be a challenge. We'll go for function instead of authenticity. It's more important that you look female on the outside. If someone gets under your skirt, I'm sure they'll discover your secret," smiled Barnes.

"I'm shocked! I'm a happily married woman!" laughed Andy.

Barnes joined in the laughter. "Quite right! I'm going to design a one-piece outfit that will hold padding for your breasts and hips, while at the same time decreasing your waist. I'll ensure that it will be easy to wear and allow you to do your business in the lavatory."

"I can't wait!" replied Andy in jest. Inside, he was very curious about the garment.

"Come back next week. I should be ready to have you try it on," stated Barnes.

"I will. Thanks a lot," replied Andy.

 

Chapter Eight

Over the next few weeks, Andy threw himself into his acting. His performance in the play was now a chance to practice for his more important performance in the upcoming escape. Andy paid particular attention to his voice, as he wanted it to sound as feminine as possible.

Richard took him aside and made some suggestions. "Try to speak more softly, not necessarily higher in pitch."

"Thanks," replied Andy. He began to practice again and he noted Richard's approval.

"We're putting together some makeup for you. The makeshift stuff we use here is okay for the play, but it won't fool anyone out in the real world," stated Richard.

"So, where are you getting the real thing?" asked Andy.

"The scrounger has his team on it. Apparently they have a few of the goons that provide them with things. I heard a rumor that they had the guards sign receipts for payments they smuggled in, and now they use those to blackmail them," laughed Richard.

"That can't be true. Even the Germans aren't that stupid!" exclaimed Andy.

"Don't be so sure, still never underestimate them. Now when everyone else leaves, I want you to work on your feminine voice while speaking German. Don't worry, we have security watching over us."

Once the last of the troupe left, Andy practiced speaking German with his feminine voice.

"You'll need to be on guard at all times. Luckily, your natural voice is soft to begin with. Concentrate on your German and the rest will come naturally," coached Richard

 

"Do you think this will work?" asked Andy.

"I think you have an excellent chance of pulling it off. I've seen you act. Now talk while walking, focus on being naturally feminine. Don't overact."

Andy practiced as Richard coached and corrected him.

"Do you think you'll try to escape?" asked Andy.

"Maybe. For now I'm content to help others," stated Richard. "Now, walk over to the table and sit down. Focus on your walking and posture, but try not to look like you're thinking about what you're doing. The trick is to be as natural as possible, even when you're treading water on the inside. The hardest thing you will have to deal with is not panicking when someone looks you over. Remember, they might just be checking you out, you do make a cute girl," smiled Richard. "Remember, I've seen you in full costume for the play."

Andy blushed.

"Don't be embarrassed. With my help, you'll pass with no problem. I'll cut your hair just before you leave," stated Richard. "I already have a style in mind that will be perfect for you."

"Thanks. I'm not totally sure about this. I mean, what will others say about me?"

"They'll say that they wish they were in your shoes. Andy, you have a great opportunity to get back to England. Additionally, this is a very dangerous mission. Only a complete dunderhead would think poorly of you," replied Richard.

Andy nodded. "You're right. I hope when this is over you'll let me buy you a drink."

"Right-O! You have a deal. Whisky, please!""

 

Chapter Nine

A week later, Reggie was walking the perimeter with Jock.

"Looks like they're expecting a lot more prisoners. The new compound looks huge," stated Reggie.

The camp was being expanded and forced labor crews were clearing the ground next to the camp. Guard towers were also being moved to cover the new camp.

"You know, this might be the opportunity we've been looking for. All we'd have to do is cut through the wire next to the new compound and then they could just walk out to the road through the woods. The old Goon towers are all facing the wrong way or are too far away. They haven't started to man the new towers. On a dark night they could slip through," whispered Jock.

"It looks like a fair stretch to walk until they reach the trees," stated Reggie.

"Yes, but no one would be looking that way. They'd also have partial shelter from the rows of new barracks. It looks like they'll have the towers up in the new camp in a about a week, so we'll need to move fast. The tunnel won't be done for at least a month," added Jock.

"Can you get everything ready by then?" asked Reggie, as they continued their walk.

"It will be close. I'll call a meeting this afternoon," replied Jock.

"It you can't do it right, then we wait for the tunnel."

"I understand, I won't send them out without everything they need. If we don't need it this time, the tunnel can be used for the next escape. "

****

Later that day Jock held his meeting. "So, can we get them ready by next week?"

"I can have the outfits done in two days," stated Barnes.

"Good. What about the documents?" asked Jock.

"All I have to do is fill in the spaces. We have their ID cards done with the exception of their photographs. We'll take those later this week," stated Simon Wells, the forger. "Everything else is ready. Both Andy and Niles have been given their new identities to study. We even have a photograph of Andy's husband."

"What?" asked a shocked Richard.

"I've been working on a Kriegsmarine uniform. We got one of the men to pose in it," stated Barnes. "It may come in handy."

"Excellent. I want to state that I'm extremely proud of the entire committee's accomplishments," stated Jock.

"Do you think they can make it across the open area without being seen?" asked Simon.

"They'll have to. There'll be a new moon, so it will be dark. If we get lucky, it might rain and that will muffle any noise they make," stated Jock.

"I just hope they don't get too muddy crossing the field. Why not have them wear flight suits until they reach the road? They wear them over their outfits and then hide them after they clear the camp," suggested Barnes.

"What will Andy do? How hard will it be for him to change?" asked Ian.

 

"He can keep his skirt, shoes, and handbag in the suitcase," suggested Barnes.

"Good idea. Okay, we shoot for a week from today. Ian, please arrange for Andy and Niles to be in my barracks after dinner. It's time that father and daughter met each other," stated Jock.

 

Chapter Ten

Andy entered the barracks and sat down across from Jock. "You ready for a rematch, sir?"

Jock nodded.

Niles was sitting at the next table. In the past weeks he had grown a beard. Richard planned on trimming it and dying it gray along with his hair.

"You mind if I play the winner?" asked Niles. "I've heard that you both are pretty good."

"Andy, meet your father," whispered Jock.

Andy looked over at the man and nodded. He then whispered to him in German. "Good day, Father."

Niles was immediately taken back by Andy's voice. "I'm impressed!"

"Thank you. I've been practicing every day," replied Andy.

"You'll be going out a week from today," whispered Jock. He then told them the plan.

"It sounds too simple," stated Niles.

"Maybe, but I think it'll work," stated Jock, softly. "Sometimes the simplest answer really is the right one."

"I'm ready," replied Andy.

"Good. Now, you two shouldn't be seen together out in the compound. If you want to talk, do it in here," ordered Jock. "Don't worry, if a ferret comes within 500 yards of this barracks, we'll know."

As Andy played chess, he and Niles became better acquainted. They immediately hit it off. Jock was pleased that they got along well, their lives depended upon it. What he didn't like was that even though Andy was distracted, he was still winning.

"The only thing consistent about your play is that there is no consistency!" quipped Jock. "I've never played anyone who makes such unpredictable moves. What makes it worse is that I can't tell if you know what your doing or are just bluffing."

Andy shrugged his shoulders. "I've always played this way."

Niles was studying the young man as they talked. If they made it back to England, there would be a job for Andy, and it had nothing to do with flying planes; he had all the makings of an excellent agent.

"We hope to give you both a twenty-four hour head start. When you go through the wire, we'll repair the damage. The goons have been lax during the musters lately. They just do a head count, and they haven't been looking at the men too carefully. We can fool them with the dummies for a day, maybe longer," explained Jock. "Once they know you're gone, the alarm will be sent throughout the entire country, everyone from the Hitler Youth to the Army will be on alert for you."

"24 hours might be all we need," replied Niles.

"Do you have your route picked out?" asked Jock.

"Yes, we'll catch the train in Stralsund and head southeast towards Hamburg. I see that the train will make a stop in Rostock. Do Danish ships still pull in there?" asked Niles.

"To be honest, I don't know. We've heard reports of Danish fishing boats pulling in there and the occasional coastal freighter. For the most part, the Danes are very helpful and trustworthy," stated Jock. He turned his attention back to the chessboard and made a move to counter Andy's attack.

"That's good to know. I've heard that there is an active refugee smuggling operation in Copenhagen," stated Niles.

"Really? Where did you hear that?" asked a slightly astonished Jock.

Niles just cracked a slight smile. "After the war, we'll have a long drink together. But it might be something you could keep in mind for future runs is that, in the evenings just outside the royal theater in Copenhagen, there is a street vendor who sells roasted nuts. Ask him if he has any American peanuts. He'll say no, and offer you a different kind of nuts. Take the bag he offers. The inside of the bag itself will have the address of a safe house. The password at the safe house will be just the name of whatever kind of nut he gave you. In the summer months, when the theater is closed, he'll be outside the main gate of the Tivoli."

Jock nodded. There was definitely more to Niles than met the eye.

 

Chapter Eleven

"You ready for your final fittings?" asked Barnes.

"Sure," replied Andy. He was alone with Barnes in the barracks room that served as the tailor's workshop.

"Okay, here's the undergarment," stated Barnes, as he handed Andy the padded piece of clothing.

Andy stripped down and slipped on the tight garment. When it was on, it felt like a second skin. It compressed his already slim waist even more. The breast pads were sewn into it, and combined with the hip padding, it gave him a very convincing figure. There was a slit at the base that would allow Andy to use the facilities, and attached garters to hold up his stockings.

"Wow!" exclaimed Andy as he looked at his body. He walked around and was impressed with how comfortable it was. It seemed to move with him.

"It's come out even better than I thought it would. I made some similar to this one back when I helped the local theater, but this is a marked improvement. I was lucky to get a piece of parachute silk to line it. I may have to market these things when I get home after the war. Now, here's you outfit. Be careful with the silk stockings! They were really hard to get," remarked Barnes.

Andy complied and got dressed. The outfit was a dark blue skirt and matching jacket. A white blouse completed the outfit. Andy was amazed that it had once been a military uniform. It looked like it could be from a high-class women's store. Andy was also amazed at the shoes. One never would have guessed that they'd been made from a pair of flight boots. They had a short heel and were dyed black.

As he dressed, he marveled at the wonderful sensation of silk against his legs and torso. He hoped that Barnes didn't notice his delight. "Would a woman of my status be wearing these?"

"Sure. Your husband was based at Jerry's U-boat port in St. Nazaire, France. He probably got leaves to Paris and had access to all sorts of luxuries," explained Barnes. "You have to dress the part."

"I guess that makes sense," stated Andy. When he was dressed completely, he stood in front of Barnes.

"Very good! Very good indeed, the hemline is perfect! Now try on his dress," ordered Barnes.

The dress was conservative and wouldn't draw undue attention to Andy. Just like the suit, it fit him perfectly.

"I designed the dress to be close in style to the suit, that way you can get by with just one hat and coat."

"I can't believe how feminine I look. I mean, I would fool myself!" quipped Andy.

Barnes studied Andy and nodded in agreement. "I don't think Jerry will suspect a thing. Here, try on your overcoat, gloves, and hat." The outer clothing was likewise feminine, but conservative. They were stunningly natural. The coat was dark blue, almost black in color. The hat was a feminine version of a fedora, very common among women of the day. "I wanted you to look like a proper young bride of a hero of the Reich."

"If I get caught, it won't be due to your work," complimented Andy.

"You won't get caught," stated Barnes firmly. "Now, get changed. I'll have everything standing by for you."

"Thanks again," replied Andy.

 

"Oh, I almost forgot. Here, try this on," stated Barnes, handing Andy a gold ring.

Andy took it and slipped the gold ring on his slender finger.

"Can't have a married woman without a ring," smiled Barnes.

"Where did you get the gold?" asked Andy, as he admired the ring.

"One of the men just got a 'Dear John' letter from his wife. He willingly volunteered his own ring," explained Barnes. "We melted it down and made it into yours."

Andy nodded. He ran his hands over his feminized body. "So you really made things like this for the theater?"

 

"Yes, but I also made them for some other people," stated Barnes.

"Who else would want something like this?" asked Andy, as he started to change.

"I was asked to make one for one of the actors in the company. It turned out he preferred to dress as a woman when he wasn't on the stage. Who was I to judge? Besides, he paid me good money for it. Well, he was very pleased with the results and recommended me to a number of his friends. Apparently, he had several friends who also liked to dress as ladies," explained Barnes.

Andy was stunned. Until now, he had thought he was alone. It was a revelation to hear that there were others like him. "So, were these men homosexuals?"

"I didn't ask. I don't think they did it for a sexual thrill. One of the men told me that he felt like he was a woman trapped in man's body. I laughed when he told me that, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense," stated Barnes.

"I never heard of anything like that," remarked Andy. Inside his mind was spinning with new ideas; he wasn't alone!

"I was invited to a party by one of them. It was quite remarkable. It was like a normal cocktail party, except that most of the women there were men. It all seemed strangely normal."

"I can't imagine something like that."

"I think we're going to see an explosion of information because of the war. Look at the last war, so much changed. Why now, women actually work in factories! The world is changing and we're going to discover that we know so little about it," continued Barnes.

Andy laughed. "The next thing you'll tell me is that man will be on the moon some day!"

"Mark my words, that will happen in our lifetime too."

"Well, I hope we're both around to see it. Here's the outfit, and the stockings are flawless."

"Good. I'll pack everything away. We don't want Jerry to find this."

"Oh, how will I keep the shoes from being wrecked while I cross the field?" asked Andy.

"You'll wrap your feet in pieces of blankets. That will not only keep your shoes clean, but it will muffle your steps," explained Barnes.

"That sounds good. May I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Andy. What is it?"

"What do the other guys think about me? I mean with the way I'm escaping, do they think I'm strange or anything like that?"

"If they do, they haven't said a word to me. From what I've heard, they all think you're extremely brave to try something like this. All kidding aside, this is a very dangerous mission. I doubt many of them would volunteer for it."

"Thanks, Barnes. I appreciate hearing that from you."

"Don't worry about them, Andy. Those that would look strangely at you aren't worth associating with anyway," confided Barnes.

 

Chapter Twelve

Andy and Niles were playing chess the next day. "So, you nervous about your upcoming performance?" asked Niles.

"A little. You think we'll pull this off?" asked Andy.

Niles nodded. "I've spent some time in Germany and know how to blend in. You follow my lead and we'll do fine."

"What was Germany like before the war?" asked Andy.

"Almost as paranoid as it is today. Contrary to popular opinion, the Gestapo isn't all that big. It's just that they get so much help from the regular citizens. I must emphasize this to you, Andy; you must be on guard all the time. You never know who's watching you. If we get to Denmark, then it gets a bit easier."

"I understand. What happens if we get separated?" asked Andy.

"Make your way to Copenhagen the best you can. You remember what I told Jock about the nut vendor?"

Andy nodded his head.

Niles continued, "However, barring any major problems, we should be there in just a few days. Once the Germans know about our escape, they'll send out a major alarm. But they'll be looking for a middle-aged man and a young man. Not an old man who walks with a cane and his loving daughter."

Andy laughed. "Richard told me that he felt he could age you twenty years by dying your hair and beard."

"I'm not exactly looking forward to that. Still, you have it much worse. Andy, I cannot express how proud I am of you for what you are going to do."

"I just want out of here," replied Andy.

"Yes, but there is more to it than that. You like the challenge. You like the thrill of fooling Jerry. Don't deny it, I can sense it in you, because I feel the same way."

Andy looked up from the board. "You're right. I must admit that there is something very exciting about attempting something like this. It was like when I was in the cockpit of my plane. I enjoyed the danger. Don't worry, I won't do anything stupid."

"How were you shot down?" asked Niles.

"I was hit by flak. Never even saw it. It must have been a new emplacement, as it wasn't on the intelligence reports. I was lucky, as it killed my wingman. He flew over it first and he just blew up," confided Andy softly, as if he was reliving the event. "What about you?"

Niles just smiled. "Sorry, Andy. I can't tell you that right now."

"I understand. We all have our secrets."

 

Chapter Thirteen

Andy was studying his, or rather make that her biography. In less than a week, he would no longer be Flying Officer Andrew Baker, he would be Frau Gretchen Mueller, loving wife of Johann Mueller, Leutnant zur See, a Lieutenant junior grade. Her father was Horst Zeigler. They had picked common names for the identities. Andy soon memorized the birth dates and other important information about herself, her father, and family, and of course her husband.

In many ways, it was like memorizing a script. The goal was to get as lost as humanly possible in the role. Once the escape started, Andy planned on being Gretchen.

Andy continued with his studies. Johann had been wounded in an air raid on his base in France. They used the date of an actual raid conducted by some of the Kriegies on the U-boat pens at Saint Nazaire in Brittany. Hopefully the story wouldn't be necessary, but it was nice to have, just in case, thought Andy.

Andy saw that her "father" had been wounded in the first war and that's why he needed a cane. He was a retired businessman. In addition to his bad leg, he was diagnosed with a weak heart and that released him from working. Andy read on that Gretchen had a mother, and two brothers. One was also in the Kriegsmarine in France – the one who had introduced her to her beloved Johann, and the other was with the Luftwaffe in Italy. In all, Andy was impressed with the details of Gretchen's life.

Andy then began to think about what Barnes had told him. If it was true, then there were others like him. That meant that he wasn't alone. He wondered if he could find others like himself after the war. It would be nice to be able to talk about his feelings with someone who understood. His mind drifted to the parties that Barnes described. It would be incredible to go to something like that!

 

Chapter Fourteen

The day of the escape dawned like so many others in Stalag Luft I. It was cold and dreary out, but dry. In fact, it hadn't rained in several days. The goal was for Andy and Niles to get out of the camp and into the woods around midnight. That would give them plenty of time to make the approximately 20 km to the rail station. Jock always debriefed all men who had failed to escape and because of this they had a good map of the town.

Late in the afternoon, Andy took a shower and shaved his body. Andy paid particular attention to giving himself a close shave and not to nick himself. He then dressed and headed over to see Richard in the theater.

"Have a seat, I just finished up with your father," smiled Richard.

Andy was amazed to see Niles with gray hair and beard. Additionally, Richard had trimmed the beard, making it look very neat and professional in a continental style.

"If we get called out for a roll call, we'll hide him in the back," explained Richard. "Now, it's time to start on you, my dear Gretchen."

Andy laughed and sat down. Richard began to style Andy's hair. He kept it simple and conservative, in a style that a wife of an officer would wear. Additionally, he plucked Andy's eyebrows and shaped them into a feminine arch.

"Now for your nails," stated Richard.

"Where did you learn all this?" asked Andy.

"I worked in a small theater and had to learn to do everything," explained Richard as he shaped Andy's nails.

"Where on earth did you get nail polish?" asked Niles, who was watching Andy's transformation.

"We told the guards it was for the theater," smiled Richard.

"So you told them the truth," quipped Andy.

"That's right," answered Richard. "I'll have your clothes in my room. I want you there before lights out. You can do your makeup there."

Andy had been moved into Richard's barracks a few weeks ago.

"What will he do until then? If there is a roll call, the Germans will notice his hair," asked Niles.

"Wear this," stated Richard as he handed Andy a knit watch cap.

The hardest thing for Andy was going about like nothing was different. He forced himself to eat, even though he really wasn't that hungry. Jock told him that it was important to eat and gave him several of the food bars that were made as escape food. One of the Kriegies had been a university professor and worked in nutrition. He created the food bars from items in the Red Cross food boxes. They were a bit sweet, but were designed to give an escaping prisoner energy. Andy was told to only use them in an emergency.

In addition to everything else, Andy and Niles were given money to buy tickets and food. Andy didn't ask where they got the money; he just knew that he owed the escape committee so much.

"Richard, I won't be needing this, maybe you can use it for bargaining with Jerry," said Andy as he handed his watch over.

"Are you sure?" asked Richard, as he examined the watch. It was a good Swiss watch that Andy's father had given him at his high school graduation.

Andy nodded, "I can't carry it with me. Maybe it can be used to help someone else escape."

Before lights out, Andy went into Richard's room and began to apply his makeup. He was rather pleased with the outcome and began to change into his new clothes.

While Andy changed, Niles was also getting dressed. He would be wearing a three-piece suit with an overcoat and hat. His cane had been weathered to look older than it was. No detail was overlooked. He also had a small satchel to carry in his free hand. After all, if he was going on a trip, he would be expected to carry a case. A similar case was made for Andy and it was filled with scrounged feminine items, just in case it was opened.

Reggie checked out Niles. "You look good. I think this just might work."

"Thank you. I won't let you down," replied Niles.

"Do you have all your paperwork?" asked Reggie.

"Yes," Niles pulled out his wallet and showed all the required papers.

"Good. Jock will be checking on Andy as we speak. He has two men to assist you two out through the wire. We'll give you as much time as possible, but no more than forty-eight hours."

"That's more that sporting," smiled Niles.

Reggie nodded and they shook hands. "Tell Andy that I'm sorry that I'll miss his greatest performance."

"He'll understand. Quite a remarkable young man. Your committee did a good job in selecting him."

Over in the other barracks, Andy was finished dressing. He put on his jewelry and adjusted his hat. "Well?"

Richard nodded. "I wish I could take a picture. You look fantastic! Here is one last gift. Don't put any on until you clear the camp." He handed Andy a small glass bottle.

Andy looked at it. "French perfume?"

"Sure. Again, remember dearest Johann was stationed in France and I'm sure he would have wanted his lovely wife to smell nice."

"Thanks. I don't know how to thank you," replied an emotional Andy.

"Get back to England," answered Richard.

The next hour seemed liked days. Niles arrived in the barracks with their escort. The two men Jock had selected would get Andy and Niles through the fence and then repair the wire. If they were lucky, the Germans wouldn't notice it.

"Here, slip on these flight coveralls and wrap these blankets around your feet. It will muffle your steps and keep your shoes clean," stated Ian.

Andy couldn't help notice the looks he was getting from the other Kriegies. It might have been his imagination, but they were looking at him as if he really was a woman. The set of coveralls that they gave him were big enough that he didn't have to take off his skirt.

"You ready?" asked Jock, as he stood in front of Niles and Andy.

They both nodded and shook hands.

Twenty minutes later they were by the fence line. The men cut just enough wire to give Andy and Niles enough room to squeeze through. Without a word, they were off. The distance across the new compound to the tree line was about two hundred yards. To Andy it felt like two hundred miles. Every noise was amplified. Each step on the frozen ground sounded like an explosion. Andy's heart was beating so loud that he was convinced that the guards might hear it. They walked very slowly, listening for the sound of jackboots or alarms. They heard neither. Even the dogs were quiet. It took them nearly an hour to reach the woods, but their slow and steady manner was successful. They traveled another half-mile before reaching the main road to Stralsund. Andy found the whole experience of escaping from the camp strangely intoxicating.

"We'll stick to the edge of the road for now. Be prepared to get into the woods immediately," whispered Niles. Niles spoke to Andy in German. They had agreed to only speak German until they reached safety.

Andy nodded.

"We'll dump these coveralls up the road. I want to get clear of the camp first," stated Niles. "If there is any trouble, follow my lead."

Andy noticed an immediate difference in Niles. He was suddenly more alert and, well to put it bluntly, dangerous.

They walked cautiously up the road. Twice they ducked into the woods to avoid a truck. Andy estimated that they had been out of the camp for two hours now. There was no sign of pursuit. So far, so good, Andy thought. The shoes were a bit uncomfortable, but Andy didn't complain.

A short time later, Niles took their coveralls and blankets and covered them with branches and leaves. Andy took this time to straighten out his skirt.

Just before dawn, they arrived in Stralsund. They inspected each other and headed to the train station. Andy put a touch of perfume on. Niles nodded his approval. By the time they reached the train station, it was already crowded. Andy let out a sigh of relief. The last thing they wanted was to be the only two people on the platform.

 

Niles bought their tickets. "We have twenty minutes until the train arrives. Would you like something hot to drink?"

Andy nodded and the two of them took their place in line for a small food booth. Andy noticed that there were a few local policemen there, but no military, other than a few soldiers traveling on the train. Niles bought them each a cup of absolutely horrible tasting coffee and also got a newspaper. Andy noticed the total absence of sugar and figured that the war might really be shifting the Allies way. He drank the bitter brew without complaint. At least it was hot, he thought. He wondered what it was made out of and decided some mysteries were best left unanswered.

"Ersatz!" Niles grumbled, obviously having similar thoughts.

"Whose socks?" quipped Andy in a whisper, then quickly covering his mouth as he realized he'd spoken English. He decided that it was high time he really became Gretchen. He made a quick scan and was relieved to see that no one heard his slip.

When the train arrived, they got in line to board. Andy felt a slight discomfort from the cold wind blowing by his legs, but there was nothing to do but accept it. The conductor noticed them and waved them to the front. Luckily, Andy realized that this was being done because of Niles and his cane. Andy felt his heart pounding as he handed his papers over to the police. Outwardly, he tried to act like this was routine. The police did a check of their papers and waved them onboard. They thanked the conductor and took their seats.

The hardest thing about the trip would be not being able to talk to Niles concerning their situation . Niles read his newspaper and Andy looked out the window. Their papers were checked a second time once the train began to move. Andy didn't panic as he saw the police checking everyone's papers. Andy thought of the joke where a man falling off the top of the Empire State Building was heard to say "So far, so good," as he passed each floor.

Andy estimated that they were passing close to the camp when the train slowed down and stopped. They were not at a regular stop and Andy could see some German guards waving to the train. A sense of panic filled Andy on the inside, but outwardly he stayed calm. A quick glance from Niles told him not to panic. Andy looked out at the guards and saw that they were all unarmed and carrying bags.

The conductor walked through their compartment and a man asked him why they had stopped.

"There's nothing wrong. We're just picking up some men from the camp at Barth. We do this all the time," announced the conductor. "They drive them down here to keep them out of Stralsund."

Andy looked around and saw to his relief that their car was almost full. The door at the end of the car slid open and three jovial men in Luftwaffe guard uniforms came into the car. They apparently were going on leave and, judging by their behavior, they had been drinking. They stumbled down the aisle looking for seats. Andy recognized one of the three. He was a tower guard. The other two didn't look familiar.

As they walked by, the tower guard stopped and made eye contact with Andy. Andy felt his heart in his throat for a moment. The guard smiled. "Come back with us, Missy! You'll have a much better time with us than that old goat! I have a bottle of schnapps and I'd love to share it with you!"

Andy could smell alcohol on the man's breath and could tell that he was very drunk. He turned away, as if he was disgusted by their offer. Niles however didn't let it go.

"How dare you talk to my daughter that way! Her husband is an officer in the Kriegsmarine. Apologize this instant, or I will immediately report your behavior to the authorities!" stated Niles in a loud stern voice.

The soldier stopped. Niles threat brought real fear to his eyes. His friends grabbed him and began to pull him away. "I apologize for my friend. Please forgive his behavior, this is our first leave in over a year," stated one of the other two guards.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. It has been just so long since I've seen a pretty girl," slurred the offending soldier. He was trembling slightly. A charge of being drunk could result in an unwanted transfer to a combat unit.

"Very well. Take your friend and be gone. The incident is forgotten. Just be more careful in the future, you're around civilized people now and not those air gangsters that you guard," admonished Niles.

Andy noticed that the other riders in the compartment were nodding in agreement with Niles.

The guards sheepishly left the compartment. Niles appeared to comfort Andy and then went back to reading his paper. The train started moving again and the incident was forgotten. Andy was very impressed by what Niles had done. It was a huge gamble, but it had worked. Niles had taken the offensive and totally put the three guards on the defense. It was much like the way I play chess, thought Andy. Andy also had a much better feeling about their making it to Sweden.

 

Chapter Fifteen

The rest of the train ride to Rostock was without incident.

"Come, Gretchen, let's get off and get something to eat," remarked Niles.

"Yes, Father," replied Andy, obediently

As they slowly got off the train, Andy couldn't help but notice the smiles of approval among the other passengers.

They passed through the police checkpoint leaving the station. The guards took one look at the old man and his daughter and waved them through without comment, after reviewing their paperwork.

"We'll have a meal and then get a hotel room for the night. I'll then see about tomorrow's transportation," commented Niles.

They found a hotel near the station. It was the kind of nondescript inn that catered to travelers. The hotel took their names, but Niles was confident that they would be long gone before anyone bothered to check them. The rooms were sparse, but clean. There was a small restaurant on the ground floor. The food was hot and the fish was fresh, if nothing else. It did feel good to eat, thought Andy.

 

Andy suddenly felt the urge to go to the bathroom. He excused himself and walked back to the lavatory. He was impressed how easily the garment allowed him to use the facilities. It wasn't until he was almost back at their table that Andy realized that he had used the women's room. He hadn't even given it any thought, it just seemed natural. He tried to reassure himself that he was just playing his role and not to make a big deal about it.

Andy wanted so desperately to talk to Niles, but he stayed in character.

"My dear, you should go up to the room and rest. I want to check up on an old friend," stated Niles.

"Yes, Father," replied Andy. The problem with being the girl was that Niles got to have all the fun. "There's a book store across the square. Could we go there first, Papa?"

Niles cracked a smile. Of course, that was a great idea. A person reading a book doesn't look as suspicious as someone just sitting there. "Of course, my dear."

Andy searched the shelves and found a novel that didn't look too boring. He would have liked to select a history book, but that would be out of character. Andy retreated to their room and sat down to read. Niles promised to be back in less than two hours. Andy was more jealous than worried. Judging by his performance on the train, Niles was very comfortable with this sort of undercover work.

Andy took a seat near the window and alternated between reading the novel and looking out of the window. It was surreal in many ways. Yesterday at this time Andy was in a Stalag. Now he was Gretchen Mueller, reading a novel in a German hotel. He chuckled at the absurdity of it all. He also wondered if their escape had been detected yet.

Andy felt almost giddy. At first he figured it was because they had escaped, but then it hit him that it went deeper than that. It was because he was Gretchen! The joy he felt was due to being accepted as a woman. Not a single person had looked at him questioningly all day. Andy tried to put these feelings out of his head, as it was a distraction and he couldn't afford to be distracted.

Two hours later, Niles still hadn't returned and Andy was getting a bit worried. He couldn't go out and search for him, where would he start? Another hour passed before Andy saw Niles limping across the street to the hotel. He let out a long sigh of relief.

Then to his horror, he saw a pair of policemen approach Niles. Andy quickly threw on his coat and rushed down the stairs and out to the street. Andy walked quickly towards Niles and the two policemen. He saw that they were checking Niles' paperwork.

"There you are, Father! I've been worried sick about you! Have you been drinking?" asked Andy angrily.

The two policemen were caught off guard and began to chuckle as Andy admonished Niles.

"My dear Gretchen, I only had one small beer," apologized Niles, joining in the act.

"Smells more like several schnapps. You promised Mother that you wouldn't drink!" continued Andy in an angry tone.

"You can go," stated one of the policemen with a laugh, "unless you want us to take you in for protection!" The policemen started to laugh as they walked away.

Andy and Niles returned to the hotel. Although Niles didn't say a word, he was obviously pleased with Andy's performance. "I'm sorry my dear, I lost all track of time. I saw a friend from my old unit."

Andy noticed that Niles appeared to be searching the room as he talked. Apparently he was looking for microphones. Andy played along. "That's okay, Father. I thought it was something like that. I apologize for yelling at you." Deep down Andy's mind was in a whirl. He pondered his reaction to the policemen questioning "his father". He had felt strangely protective of Niles, as if he really was his father. He only noticed this in retrospect. Something was happening he knew, but what it was he wasn't sure.

Niles smiled. "You're too kind, my dear." He then took out a small piece of paper, wrote something out, and handed it to Andy.

"So, which train are we taking out tomorrow?" asked Andy as he read the paper. It said that Niles had arranged for them to catch a ride on a Danish freighter.

"We're catching the late train. Take a nap, we'll check out at eleven," stated Niles.

"Yes, Father," replied Andy.

Andy continued to read the message. They would meet their contact as they left the hotel. He would sneak them onto the ship. Andy quietly tore up the paper and handed it back to Niles, who placed it in the ashtray and burned it. Maybe Niles really was a spy, thought Andy.

 

Chapter Sixteen

Niles woke Andy up around ten. Andy washed his face and reapplied his makeup. Thankfully his beard was so light, he didn't have to shave.

The hotel was used to people checking out at odd hours, so Niles and Andy's departure didn't cause any unwanted attention. In fact there were several other people checking out for the late train. As Andy and Niles walked out of the hotel, a truck pulled up in front of them. Niles nodded and he waved Andy in.

"Gretchen, meet my good friend, Jens," introduced Niles.

"Pleased to meet you," stated Andy. He looked over at the large blond man. Jens looked like he was in his forties and had a friendly smile on his face.

The man did a double take. "The pleasure is all mine," he replied in German.

Andy gave Niles a worried glance.

"It's okay. I've known Jens for years. He knows your secret and you have nothing to worry about," explained Niles. "I'll explain it all later, first we need to get on the ship."

"I hate to say this, but if you could act like you're romantically interested in me, we could just walk on board. The port guards see us bring on girls all the time, it wouldn't draw any attention," suggested Jens. "They'll just think Niles is another crewman."

"Won't they do a head count?" asked Andy.

"They change shifts here in an hour. Besides, we have a 'friendly business arrangement' with the guards. I provide them with certain items and they look the other way," explained Jens.

"Okay, but don't get too fresh," quipped Andy.

They parked the truck and several sailors came down the gangway and began to unload the truck. Niles left his cane behind in the truck and got in line with them and grabbed a box. Jens put his arm around Andy and walked up the gangway onto the small coastal freighter.

Andy felt odd new sensations as he boarded the ship with Jens. Jens' arm was around his shoulders and he was pulling Andy close. Andy played along and rested his head on Jens' shoulder. This felt strangely normal and that worried Andy. He had never felt attracted to a man before. Was he getting too wrapped up in this role, or was there something deeper going on?

They got on board the ship and Jens hustled Andy into his cabin. He then poured them both a cup of coffee. Andy took a long sip; it was real coffee, and it tasted delicious.

Jens noticed Andy's reaction to the coffee. "I know someone who smuggles coffee in from Sweden. How long has it been since you've had a cup of the real thing?"

"Too long. You can't get a good cup of coffee in England either," quipped Andy.

Jens laughed. "You'll be safe here for now. We have a hiding space for you and Niles later on. The Germans will do an inspection before we leave, but it's nothing to worry about."

"So where are we going?" asked Andy.

"We'll leave here in four hours and should arrive in Copenhagen late tonight. The weather has been pretty good and it doesn't look like we'll get a storm. We make this run a couple times a week. We rarely draw any attention," explained Jens. "Don't worry about my crew, they're all family."

"I'm sorry I caught you off guard back at the hotel," apologized Andy.

"Niles said that you were dressed as a woman. I just wasn't expecting you to look so attractive," replied Jens with a smile.

Just then, Niles walked in. "I see you two are getting acquainted."

"I was happily surprised to see you today, old friend. When you didn't come back, everyone thought you were dead," laughed Jens.

"No, but it was close," replied Niles. "As you've probably guessed, Gretchen, I'm not in the RAF."

"I figured that out on the train," replied Andy. He was a bit surprised that Niles still referred to him as Gretchen.

"Jens has done a lot of work for me, but this is the first time he's smuggled me," laughed Niles.

"I'll get you to Copenhagen safe and sound, old friend. And you too, Gretchen" stated Jens as he turned to her.

"How long will it take to get us to Sweden?" asked Niles.

"It may take a few days to arrange it. The voyage is short, but the red tape is long. There is a new German officer in charge of the port area and he's trying to impress Berlin. So far, all he's done is disrupt the fishermen's schedules. I'll arrange for a place for you two to stay," stated Jens.

"I understand," replied Niles. Andy noticed he sounded frustrated.

An hour before the ship was due to get underway; Jens escorted Andy and Niles down to one of the storerooms. He opened a panel and showed them a hidden space. It was just big enough for two people to sit.

"I'm sorry it's not bigger, but it's only until we leave port," stated Jens. He then replaced the panel. There was a single small light bulb in the space and little ventilation. The air smelled like diesel fuel. In spite of himself, Andy fell asleep and only woke when the ship began to pull away from the pier. Andy found that his head was resting on Niles' shoulder.

"I'm sorry," yawned Andy.

"Don't be. Sounds like we're underway," replied Niles.

"I was really impressed with the way you handled those drunks on the train," stated Andy softly.

"If I did nothing, it would have brought unwanted attention our way. A father always protects his daughter," explained Niles with a slight smile. "I was surprised by how naturally you blushed."

Before Andy could reply, the panel was pulled back and they saw Jens standing there. "How're you doing, my friends?"

"Everything okay?" asked Niles.

"No problems. We're underway and it looks like smooth sailing," answered Jens. "We'll hug the coastline for protection."

"I'm surprised how easy it has been," remarked Andy.

"We've still got a long way to go," stated Niles as they stepped out of the hiding area.

They walked up to the bridge of the ship. Andy could see the coastline off in the distance. A sailor brought them cups of steaming hot coffee.

"So what kind of work do you normally do?" asked Andy, as he sipped the coffee.

Niles looked at Jens and nodded. "Without going into detail, I assist resistance groups. One of my contacts told me about a new secret weapon the Germans were developing. I had confirmed this report and was on my way back to England when I was caught. Luckily, they believed that I was a shot down flier trying to escape."

"And you knew that you could get out of Germany using Jens's travel service," added Andy.

"Exactly," stated Niles.

"It makes everything a bit clearer now. I guess you really didn't need me after all. Thank you for bringing me along anyway," stated Andy.

Niles shook his head. "Don't sell yourself short. You made it very easy for me to travel here."

"He's telling the truth. The security around your Stalag has been increased lately. A man traveling alone would have been questioned almost immediately. Niles is good, but he did get caught once before," Jens said, as he picked up his binoculars and scanned the coast.

"So, when we get to Copenhagen can I change my clothes?" asked Andy. The smell of the sea air was glorious.

Niles shook his head. "It would too difficult to get you new papers. I'm afraid you're going to be Gretchen for a few more days, besides we won't be there that long"

"I suppose it could be worse," answered Andy. Deep down, he was pleased that he would be dressed as a woman for a few more days.

"I imagine that neither of you has had a good meal in a while. Our food out here is simple but good. Why don't you head down to the galley?" suggested Jens.

Andy looked at Niles who nodded. Niles led Andy down to the galley. Andy smiled slightly due to the looks he was getting from the other crewmembers. Niles whispered to him that they really thought he was a girl.

"No sense in exposing your secret, it would only confuse them," whispered Niles in English.

The meal was a hearty fish stew, and Andy savored every taste.

 

Chapter Seventeen

Jens set a speed that would get them into Copenhagen harbor around midnight. It would make getting Niles and Andy off the ship easier. They returned to the hiding space as the ship entered port and remained there until the ship docked and had been inspected.

An hour later, they were being driven across the city by Jens. The weather was clear and cold. Jens told them that Denmark only had two seasons, a white winter and a green winter. Andy took in the sights of the beautiful city. It was hard to believe that they were in an occupied city.

"We're going to my cousin's house. He's not like me, he's an educated man and is respectable," laughed Jens.

"Respectability is highly overrated," added Andy with a smile. He liked Jens a lot.

Jens laughed louder. "That's what I say!"

"What does you cousin do?" asked Andy.

"He's a doctor," replied Jens proudly, "as is his wife."

They drove through the streets of the city until they reached a large home. "Here it is," stated Jens. He drove the car into a courtyard and got out and closed the gate behind them.

Jens led them into the house. Andy saw a pleasant looking older man standing there with a woman who was obviously his wife.

"This is my cousin, Karl, and his wife, Sofie," introduced Jens. He then introduced Andy and Niles.

Karl was short with thinning red hair. He wore glasses and had a gentle smile. Sofie was very pretty and looked like she was in her forties. She had her auburn hair pulled back into a bun.

"We're pleased to meet both of you. You'll be safe here," assured Karl.

"Thank you," stated Niles.

"You both must be exhausted. How long has it been since you slept in a real bed?" asked Sofie.

"Last year," answered Andy. He noticed that he instinctively was keeping his voice feminine.

"Come with me, and I'll show you your rooms," stated Sofie, as she took Andy's hand.

"You do know that I'm not really a woman?" asked Andy. He stiffened up for a second.

"I understand that until you get safely to Sweden that you must dress that way. It would be best if you stayed in character until you're safe," replied Sofie, with a smile on her face. "You are quite convincing, so don't worry about it. You take a nice long bath. Do you have a nightgown?"

Andy shook his head no. He also felt suddenly calm and at ease.

"You look close to my size, I'll lay one out for you. What would you like me to call you?"

Andy sighed. "Please call me Gretchen."

 

Chapter Eighteen

The hot bath felt fantastically good and comforting. Andy had forgotten how wonderful a long hot bath was. He soaked in the tub for a long time, before getting out. The bath alone made the escape worth it, he thought. Andy slipped on the robe that Sofie had provided him and returned to his room. He found a flannel nightgown on the bed and put it on. He was too weary to try to analyze the reaction of Sofie and her husband. Did they sense the truth?

He also began to think about the way he was acting since he escaped. No, that wasn't the right term, he wasn't acting anymore, with each passing moment, and he was becoming more and more feminine. Andy recalled how he had reacted back in Rostock, both in the restaurant and later with the policemen. Andy knew he was changing, but he was too tired to think about it anymore and he crawled into the soft bed. The clean white sheets felt delightful. Andy then realized that this was the first time since he had been shot down that he wasn't sleeping in his clothes. He quickly fell into a deep and sound sleep.

Andy woke up and found a blouse, sweater, and skirt on the chair next to his bed. Andy slipped on his undergarment and then put on the clothes. The clothes fit him nicely. He then fixed his hair and put on a touch of makeup. He was pleased with his appearance.

Andy walked downstairs and was greeted by Sofie. Both her English and German were excellent.

"Did you sleep well, Gretchen?" asked Sofie.

"Yes, thank you. Also, thank you for the loan of the clothes," stated Andy.

"You're welcome. Come with me, I imagine you're hungry."

"Where did you learn English?" asked Andy.

"I spent some time in England when I was younger," replied Sofie.

"I wish I could speak Danish," replied Andy.

"I'll teach you a few words," offered Sofie.

"Where is…" Andy began to ask, momentarily pausing while deciding whether to call his traveling companion Niles or Horst or father.

"He's with my husband. They went down to the port to check on possible transportation," explained Sofie.

"So, you and your husband live here all by yourselves?" asked Andy as he sat down to eat.

"Yes, although my little brother stays with us when he's in the city. His name is Lars," explained Sofie. She sat down next to Andy. "He's studying to be a doctor, although he spends more time working with the resistance these days than studying."

"I cannot express my thanks for your help. I know this must be dangerous for you," stated Andy.

"We Danes do what we can. We were too small to stop the German invasion. They see us as brothers and expected us to help them. They are greatly mistaken."

"Obviously," replied Andy. "Jens said that you're also a doctor."

"Yes. I don't practice right now. The Germans don't want women to do men's work. I still see people on the side."

"I can't imagine how hard it has been for you."

Sofie shrugged her shoulders and then looked at her watch. "I have to go down to the market. Would you like to join me?"

"I don't know. Would that be safe?" asked Andy.

"It wouldn't cause any problems. Most of the people around here mind their own business. If any neighbors saw you arrive, they would expect you to help me," remarked Sofie.

"How would you explain the fact that I don't speak Danish?"

"My husband gets clients from everywhere. I'll just tell them that he's examining your father," explained Sofie.

Actually, Andy was excited about getting out of the house. He knew he had to stay on guard, but this was a chance to do something besides sit around.

They walked down the street to the local market. Just as Sofie said, no one paid them any mind. Andy was surprised that he didn't see any police in the area. It was so different from Germany, he thought. Andy carried some of the packages back to the house. It was a wonderfully normal experience. Andy felt very much at ease.

"I hope you don't mind me telling you this, but you carry yourself quite well. I doubt anyone suspected that you're really a man," confided Sofie.

"I've done some acting," replied Andy, in an attempt to hide the truth.

Sofie cracked a slight sly smile. "I think it goes deeper than that. You were very natural back there. I've noticed it since you arrived here. In fact, the only time you appeared to be acting was when you tried to show off your masculinity."

Andy was taken aback.

"I'm not judging you, my dear. Would you like to talk about it?" asked Sofie, as they put away the groceries.

Andy nodded, unable to speak at the moment.

"Good. I can tell you have a lot of pent up things you need to talk about. Unlike men, women talk to each other about their problems. I'll fix us some coffee and we'll talk," stated Sofie, in a calming voice.

 

Chapter Nineteen

Sofie led Andy into their living room. They sat together on a couch. Andy sipped his coffee.

"Where do you want me to start?" asked Andy.

"Wherever you want," replied Sofie.

Andy took a deep breath and let it out in one big sigh. "You guessed right. I don't know why, but I feel more comfortable like this." Andy pointed to his chest.

Sofie took Andy's hand in hers for support.

"I've fought these feeling my whole life. I've always had them; as far back as I can remember. I know that it is wrong, and I've done everything that I can to resist temptation. Then this mission was offered to me and I couldn't back out. I told myself that this was a mission and that, once it was over, I'd never want to dress this way again. But now I don't want to go back to being Andy. Does this make any sense? Am I crazy or just sick?" asked Andy, almost pleading.

"You're neither, my dear. Obviously, you're not doing this for sexual pleasure. Secondly, what harm are you doing?"

"But I'm a man!" exclaimed Andy, as if he was trying more to convince himself than Sofie.

"You have no control over your physical gender; what matters is what's inside your mind."

"But I can't," cried Andy.

"Why? My dear child, you don't think you're alone? There are many others like you fighting the same feelings," comforted Sofie.

Andy was taken back. Sure, he had heard Richard tell him stories, but this was different. "What...what do you mean?"

"Before the war, Karl and I hosted many parties. One of our guests was a doctor who was doing studies on gender issues. He was even working on procedures that would physically transform a person, so that their physical appearance matched the gender of their mind."

Andy sat there in silence; this changed everything in his life. Not only was he not alone, but also there were actual medical procedures being developed to help. "What happened to him?"

"His work was destroyed by the Nazis. But his data wasn't all destroyed. He escaped over to Sweden. I've heard that he is continuing his work there."

Andy didn't know what to say. He began to tremble slightly and felt tears forming in his eyes. He tried to hold them back.

"It's okay, my dear. You can cry," comforted Sofie.

Andy gave in and let the tears fall. The stress of holding in his feelings for his whole life burst out in a flood of tears. Sofie pulled him close and gave him a long, comforting hug.

When they released, Andy knew that he had changed. It might take time, but inside she was now Andrea. Andrea seemed like the perfect name for her now. She would play the dual roles with the same enthusiasm as she had before, except that she now accepted her true gender, as feminine and playing Andy would be the masquerade.

"I feel like two tons of weight are off my shoulders," stated Andrea, as she wiped her eyes.

"I can tell. It must be wonderful to know who and what you are. When this war is over, you can take the steps to correct your 'birth defect'," replied Sofie softly.

Andrea sat there. The war. It had momentarily slipped her mind. "Of course."

"When it is over, I will help you," promised Sofie.

'Thank you," replied Andrea. Suddenly the world didn't seem so harsh.

 

Chapter Twenty

Andrea knew better than to tell Niles her secret. She barely believed it herself. Andrea was content to help Sofie until Niles and Karl returned.

Mid-afternoon, Karl and Niles walked into the house. They were with a handsome man. He was introduced as Lars. Sofie's little brother was almost 6-3. He was very handsome, thought Andrea. Lars had blue eyes and blond hair and had a breathtaking smile. She was a bit surprised by the inner emotions and sensations she was feeling. The repressed feelings were coming out with a vengeance.

"It doesn't look good for the next few days," stated Niles.

"The Germans have increased security checks, and their E-boats are constantly patrolling the Ore Sund. None of the captains want to risk smuggling anyone until it calms down," explained Karl.

"How long do you think that will take?" asked Andrea.

"A week, maybe longer. I might be able to get one of you out sooner," stated Lars.

"Then take Niles now. I can wait," interrupted Andrea.

"We started this as a team, and we'll get to Sweden together," stated Niles firmly.

"Look, it makes sense for you to go now. You're the important one with a mission to finish. I'm just another escaping flier. I'm safe here for now. Isn't that true?" asked Andrea.

"Yes, your friend is right," answered Karl.

"They can slip me across when it's easier. Look, I'm not being noble, just practical," continued Andrea.

Niles looked at Andrea. Something had changed, but Niles couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"If it just meant smuggling out Niles, when do you think that you could do it?" asked Andrea.

"Tomorrow night," stated Lars.

Andrea looked at Niles. "You know this is the right decision. You aren't abandoning me."

Niles nodded. He was right, thought Niles. The trouble was that he had grown rather fond of the young flier.

"I never really thanked you for what you did back in Rostock," stated Niles.

"You would have done the same for me," answered Andrea. "Please, you're the one that really needs to get back to England. Remember that I was just along for the ride."

Niles looked at the smiling Andrea. "You weren't just along for the ride. Nonetheless, you win. I'll go."

"We'll see you two at dinner. We need to discuss some things concerning Niles' trip," stated Lars. He then gave Andrea a wink.

Niles left with Karl and Lars to plan the details. For security's sake, Andrea and Sofie didn't need to know the details.

"Don't worry, our little talk this afternoon had nothing to do with my decision. It's more important that Niles get out," explained Andrea, as she tried to put Lars wink out of her mind.

"I believe you," replied Sofie. "The question is, do you want to go back?"

Andrea hesitated as if she was contemplating her answer. "I would love to stay here, but I'm bound by my honor to return to the fight. I couldn't live with myself if I just sat out the war in relative safety. Does that make sense?"

"It wouldn't have before the occupation. But now I fully understand your decision. But what if there was a way to continue the fight without going back?" asked Sofie.

"What do you mean?" asked Andrea, intrigued by what Sofie was suggesting.

"We're always looking for new recruits," smiled Sofie." The Germans, in their eternal arrogance, underestimate women. We take full advantage of their arrogance."

Andrea thought about it. If she returned, it was unlikely that she would be allowed back into a combat unit. It would be too dangerous to allow her to fly again. If she were to be shot down again, the Gestapo would have a field day with her. The idea of being in a training squadron, or even worse, behind a desk, was totally unappealing. So was the idea of going back to being Andy. However, if she were to stay here and work for the underground, that would be important, thought Andrea.

"Do you think they'll allow it?" asked Andrea.

"I think so. You're very intelligent and you're good at deception, and I mean that in a positive way. There is one thing you can help us with immediately. We're starting to get more escaping prisoners, and while we want to help, there is the fear that some are German plants. You could help us screen them," explained Sofie. "They would think that they were talking to an attractive young woman, and it would be very easy for you to tell if they were lying. At the same time, since you understand the technical side of the war, you might also be able to pick up some valuable intelligence."

"That sounds great," answered Andrea.

"Good. I will talk with Karl about it. I'm sure he'll agree to it. In the meantime, I will start teaching you Danish," replied Sofie.

 

Chapter Twenty-One

The next evening, Niles knocked on Andrea's door. He walked in and found her sitting up in bed reading. It was a children's reading primer.

"I'm trying to learn Danish," explained an embarrassed Andrea.

Niles laughed. "Sofie told me that you want to stay here."

"It seems like the right thing to do. When do you leave?"

"Tonight. I just wanted to say goodbye," stated Niles. His beard was gone, although he still had a moustache. He was dressed as a fisherman.

"Someday, I want to know what was so important," stated Andrea as she inspected Niles' appearance. "By the way, you look better without the beard."

Niles rubbed his chin. "I kind of grew fond of it. I may grow it back someday."

"Don't," replied Andrea with a smile. There was a short pause. "I know you'll make it back to England"

Niles nodded. He hesitated as if he was thinking of the right words. "Thanks. Look, in my line of work, it's hard to trust someone else. What I want to say is that I found it easy to trust you, and I wouldn't have made it this far without your help."

"You're welcome."

"I'm not going to try to talk you out of staying here, but you do understand the risks don't you?" asked Niles. "The Gestapo will be very rough with you if you're caught."

"I know, but they need me here," stated Andrea. "I can do something that they can't."

 

"I understand. If it makes you feel any better, I agree with your decision to stay."

"Thank you. That means a lot to me."

"I'll let them know what's happened to you when I get back to London. They'll make the appropriate changes in your record. The people I work for only care about results. Also, I have some friends in high places and they can smooth out any rough edges."

Suddenly, Andrea knew that Niles wasn't talking about her decision to stay and work with the resistance.

"I had a long talk with Sofie and Karl. I'd like to say that I didn't understand everything that they told me, but what's important is that you are happy with your choice. As far as I'm concerned, you've earned the right to make this decision," explained Niles. "Looking back, it all makes sense."

Andrea sat there in silence before she was able to speak. "Thank you."

"If you find out anything that you feel London should know about, Lars knows how to get a message out. Take care of yourself; I'll be seeing you," stated Niles and he then he walked out of her life.

Andrea closed the book. She wasn't sure what the future would bring her, but she knew she had taken the right path.

 

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jens came by a few weeks later and told them that Niles had been successfully smuggled into Sweden and had made it back to England. That made Andrea smile. She also felt pride in her role in helping him escape. She did wonder what the secret was that was so important that he risked his life to protect.

Over the next few months, Sofie took Andrea under her wing and began to help her adjust to her new life. It became obvious to Andrea that Sofie cared deeply about her. Sofie helped Andrea learn to style her hair and loaned her clothes. Andrea helped Sofie run the house and whatever else came up. Sofie promised that as soon as Andrea's Danish improved she would be used for more important work.

Andrea turned to Sofie. "May I ask you something?" They were working together in the kitchen. Sofie was also teaching Andrea to cook.

"Certainly," responded Sofie.

"I don't want to sound ungrateful or anything, but why have you been so nice to me? That didn't come out right. What I mean is…" fumbled Andrea.

"My dear, I guess it is because I see you as the younger sister I never had," interrupted Sofie. "I also guess it's because I've seen so much pain and suffering the past few years and now I see a chance to help someone grow and bloom into the person they were meant to be. It does my heart good to see good things happening, despite the war. Does that answer your question?" replied Sofie.

"I don't know what to say, other than thank you," answered Andrea. She leaned over and hugged Sofie.

"Karl and I would like to give you a physical. There may be ways that we can help you physically in your transformation," added Sofie.

Andrea smiled. "I'd like that."

"You also know that Lars likes you. He didn't tell me, but I can tell," confessed Sofie.

"I don't know what to say," replied Andrea. She had noticed the growing attraction between her and the handsome Dane.

"There is no rush. I just want you to know that I have no objections. You're a lovely young woman. If anything, you're too good for my little brother," laughed Sofie.

 

Epilog

The man waited nervously in the lobby of the Manhattan high-rise. He was waiting to be allowed up to see the woman he had been searching for for months.

"Mrs. Carlson will see you now," stated the doorman.

The man nodded and took the elevator to the penthouse. He got off and knocked on the door. He was met by a pleasant young maid.

"Good afternoon, I'm Robert Cook. I have an appointment with Mrs. Carlson."

"Yes, sir. She's expecting you. Please follow me," stated the maid.

 

He was led into a very homey living room. It was filled with comfortable looking furniture. One wall was covered with photographs. Robert was drawn to them, like a moth to a flame. He was stunned to see the famous people in them with the woman he had tracked down. He was engrossed in looking at one with her and Queen Elizabeth II when he heard a voice.

"I see you find my photographs interesting." The voice was pleasant with a slight touch of a foreign accent.

He turned and saw an elderly woman standing in front of him. She was trim and appeared fit. He knew from his research that she was in her 80s, but she looked much younger. She was wearing a tailored wool suit and carried herself with an air of dignity. There was also a sense of danger to her.

"Mrs. Carlson, I'm Robert Cook. Thank you for seeing me. I have some questions to ask you," he stated.

"Please call me Andrea. Mrs. Carlson sounds so formal," stated Andrea as she sat down. "You say that your last name is Cook?"

She stared at the man. He was in his thirties and had red hair. There was something very familiar about him, she thought.

"Yes, Mrs…Andrea. I've been told I look a lot like my grandfather," stated Robert. He then took a photo out of his briefcase and handed it to Andrea.

She held it and a small smile broke out across her face. Her mind drifted back to planning escapes over a chessboard. "So, you're Jock's grandson."

"Yes, from my mother's side of the family. He left me his journals and I was in the process of writing a book about the camp when I came across entries about one of the escapes he helped organize. The trouble was that I couldn't find out what happened to the two men who escaped. I finally found out that one of the men was actually a secret agent. It turns out he had evidence of the German missile program and he smuggled it back to England. When I searched for information on the man, I couldn't find a thing. It was as if he never existed. As for his escape partner, I hit a total wall until I found a letter from a Mrs. Lars Carlson, thanking my grandfather for his help. Something seemed strange. Look, to make a long story short, I have no intention of publishing what I've learned about you. I just want to know what happened. I guess that I'm just curious."

"So what you want to know is if I was once Flying Officer Andrew Baker?" asked Andrea with a smile. "The answer is yes."

Robert sat there in silence. "That's amazing. Can you tell me what happened?"

"I can tell you about my role in the escape. As for Niles, I never learned his true identity either."

"I would love to hear about the escape," replied Robert anxiously.

For the next two hours Andrea recalled the story of the escape. Robert sat there speechless as he let Andrea tell her tale. Only when she finished did he speak.

"What happened after you stayed in Denmark?"

"I became heavily involved in the resistance movement. I stayed in Denmark and helped to screen escaping prisoners, among other things. I worked closely with Lars and we eventually became romantically involved. Karl and Sofie became like second parents to me. I learned about my gender issues and the possibility of correcting them. I began to take hormones as soon as I could get them after the war - and had my gender legally changed. The surgery didn't occur until the 1950s. Lars and I married and eventually moved here," replied Andrea.

Robert nodded.

"Obviously, I couldn't have children. However, we adopted several children. My wartime record helped us clear any red tape. I'm now a great-grandmother," smiled Andrea. "Lars passed away five years ago."

"I'm sorry. It sounds like you two had a wonderful life together."

Andrea picked up a framed photo of Lars and looked at it with love. "We did. I was blessed the day I met him."

Andrea then picked up another photo and handed it to Richard. "These are my children, grandchildren, and great grand children."

"So, can you tell me anything else about the resistance?" asked Richard, as he looked at the photo.

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I still can't talk about some of the things I did," explained Andrea.

"You mean during the war?" asked Robert.

"And afterwards," smiled Andrea.

Richard nodded. He had heard that Andrea had been in the CIA. "Did you ever see Niles again?"

Andrea gave him a look, as if to say, "That's also a secret."

Richard shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "It was worth a shot to ask." "Did you ever have any contact with the other men of the camp?"

"When I was in London after the war, I went to Richard's theater. He was very pleased to see me and we had a wonderful reunion. He told me that he wasn't all that surprised about my new identity. I wrote to your grandfather a few times after the war and told him everything. He was a remarkable and understanding man."

Robert nodded. "My grandfather thought very highly of you too. I've made copies of his journal entries concerning you, do you want them?"

"I'd like that very much, I owe him so much," answered Andrea. "I kept in touch with Howard Barnes, until he passed away in 1959. He actually marketed the undergarment that he designed for my escape. He told me he nicknamed it 'The Gretchen' in my honor! I also traded letters with Group Captain Carpenter. His granddaughter lives a few blocks from here."

"Did you ever help any other Barth escapees?" asked Richard.

"A few. Apparently several men used the advice from Niles about the nut vender. I screened quite a few of them, although none were men that I knew in the camp," explained Andrea. "I was saddened to hear that Wing Commander Ian Nelson had been murdered by the Nazis. He escaped a short time after that big breakout from Stalag Luft III, and was executed by the Gestapo. He deserved better."

There was a long silence. Richard knew she was referring to the escape later immortalized in The Great Escape. Fifty prisoners had been executed following that escape on personal orders from Hitler. Ian had the bad luck to be caught around the same time.

"I read the war trial transcripts. At least they caught the men who killed him," remarked Richard.

"That's good, but Ian is still dead. Still, I think we did our part to win the war. I'm proud about my contributions, however small they were," stated Andrea.

"I read in my Grandfather's journals that he also considered you the toughest chess opponent he ever played."

Andrea smiled. "I enjoyed the games we played together. Do you play?"

"Yes. He taught me himself."

"Wonderful! Why don't you stay for dinner and then we'll play afterwards. I might even tell you some more interesting stories for your book," stated Andrea with a smile.

"I'd like that," replied Robert.

"I must warn you. I still play rather unpredictably," confessed Andrea with a laugh, as she led Robert to the board.

 

The End

  

  

  

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