Upfall

"Teams Alef and Bet will infiltrate the camp from the north, knocking out the towers guarding the extermination sub-camp, occupying them, and then bringing tire on the rest of the camp. There are four towers in this section of the camp. Bet will take this one here" he said pointing to the westernmost tower. "Alef this central tower. Ilan and Bolander will occupy the tower in the northeast of the camp. Colonel Yatom’s will establish his command post in this central tower along the north fence. The plan is to draw the enemy to our positions in the sub-carnp and use our personal weapons and night vision equipment to decimate them."

"The camp is illuminated" said Feldhandler. "That will render your night vision useless."

"There is a generator shack here" said Mofaz and holding up one of the digital cameras with a photo displayed. "This building with a radio antenna atop it, see?" Feldhandler nodded. "Rafi will take it out with a round from the B—300. That should take care of the spotlights and their radio" continued Mofaz calmly. "There are two more towers here at the southern corners of the camp" he continued. "We engage those at a distance and eliminate them."

"What about telephone communication" persisted Feldhandler "and Shapira's team..."

"I haven't finished" said Mofaz getting irritated. "Two of Fliegel's men—Tovi and another boy whose name escapes me—have already set off to cut the wires on the rail line a few kilometers west of the camp..."

"You sent a couple of Jewish boys to do that?"

"Yes. We can't spare out ovm men—unless you want the mission? Maybe you can chase after them?" said Mofaz.

"We sent them out early to allow them plenty of time to return" said Yatom soothingly. Yatom motioned for Mofaz to continue.

"Now as for team Gimmel—Sergeant Bolander will be detached to work with Ilan. Lieutenant Shapira, Chaim and Ro'i will lead in Sandler and Fliegel's men." Mofaz, pointed to the two Jews. "Verstehen?” They nodded slowly.

Shapira took over, speaking in German to the pair. He told them to leave two men behind to guard Mueller, but otherwise to accompany team Gimme! in an assault on the Ukranian camp.

"Lieutenant Shapira and your men will begin the attack on the Ukranians once we have infiltrated the camp" said Yatom in German and directing his comments mostly at Sandler and Fliegel. "It will add to the Germans’ confusion. After the Ukranians are routed, you will launch a general assault on the camp, supported by the sayeret’s fire. Understood?" Fliegel and Sandler looked tired and dubious but could do nothing but agree. "Lieutenant Shapira will work with you. Don't worry" said Yatom unconvincingly.

"You know what?" said Bolander suddenly, having understood the better part of Yatom's little speech, "we need a name for these guys, the rescued Jews, instead of just calling them, well, them."

"What then genius?" said Ilan.

"How about the Bears and the Dolphins" Bolander said in English. "Like the American football teams?" Bolander had lived near Chicago as a child, and liked the Dolphins since a trip to Disney World.

"No" said Roskovsky, known to be a big sports fan generally, especially baskethall. "Beers are okay, I guess" said the engineer, mangling the team's name. "But the other group should be the Bulls— Michael Jordan's team!"

"And it has a nice ring to it—in English anyway" said Shapira.

"For other reasons, but so what? Okay with you guys?" he asked Sandler and Fliegel, who stared at him blankly until he translated into German. They looked no happier after the translation, but agreed to the monikers. "So" continued Shapira happily "Sanrller's men are the Bulls, and Fiegel's the Bears." The Israelis laughed good-naturedly while Sandler and Fliegel stared nervously at the strange men surrounding them.

"And what about me?" asked Perchensky. "What I am supposed to do during this glorious mission?"

"You'll accompany me" said Yatom.

"Him too?" she said, pointing at Feldhandler. "How are we all going to fit in a tower? That's your plan isn't it?"

"We'll manage" said Yatom, although he hadn't considered that problem. He reminded himself that Perchensky had a first class mind, and such tactical issues were mere child's play for her. "It will be safe enough" he said without conviction. "Believe me, we're not going to leave any bad guys in the extermination lager alive."

"All the same" said Perchansky "I think I'll pass and remain here."

"Suit yourself" said Yatom, quietly pleased that he would not have to worry about her now. "It might work out best that way after all. Can you keep guard on the German? That would free a couple of men?"

Perchensky paused to consider this. By guarding Mueller she be assisting the sayeret, something she vowed not to do. But she decided not to be an ass about it and said yes, then walked away. "Good riddance" said Feldhandler.