Date: Thu, 4 Jan 1996 08:10:52 -0500 Reply-To: Frank Balon Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Frank Balon Subject: Resistance Hello again: As I promised in my introduction to #The Mentor# , #Lessons# , and #First Time#, I had several stories in the works with the Characters that we all know. This story, entitled #Resistance# takes place prior to the situations contained in the flashbacks of the third season episode #Mortal Sins#. I hope everyone likes it. As I mentioned before, all comments are welcome. I'm sorry about the no. symbol (#) all over my posts. They are supposed to be quotes. At least they are quotes when I sent them, but when I saw the posted stories.... well sorry. Does any body know of anything I can do to remedy this. Thanks again, Frank D. Balon #Resistance# A Highlander story by Frank D. Balon Occupied Paris... 1942 Duncan MacLeod was storing the large bags of grain when Father Guillaume came hurrying across the Church courtyard. #MacLeod.# He touched the taller man#s shoulder. #We just received a transmission confirming the transfer of the downed British airmen.# MacLeod exhaled slowly, realizing the significance of this report. If successful, the concealment and ultimate escape of these stranded fliers could open up an underground pipeline for fugitives of all sorts. If the operation would fail, however, the consequences would be disastrous. Not only for these particular men, but for all those who aided them in any way. #Father, We need to notify the others. Did the message say anything else?# #Yes my son, the message spoke of the *Maquis*. One of our more Militant-minded brothers is acting as guide for the airmen. MacLeod considered. #The Maquis have experience in guerrilla actions and escape operations such as this. Their involvement in this can only help us in the future.# As he finished speaking, a boy of about 10 and wearing glasses entered the yard and approached the pair. Duncan knelt on one knee. #Hello Bernard, I need you to find George and the others...# A few hours later, a small group of men and women met in a dimly lit cellar. A young man spoke. #This is like nothing we#ve done before. The Germans might be looking for these men, there may be extra patrols.# #The latest transmission outlined our instructions.# Answered a young woman with short dark hair. #It spoke of several underground factions working in this together.# She turned toward Duncan. #You heard it MacLeod. Tell them.# #General de Gaulle is encouraging a renewed effort in the fight against the Germans. In doing this, he knows of the importance of solidarity among the various underground resistance movements.# He continued. #However, other than our contact with the Maquis guide, we won#t have any direct communication or knowledge, for that matter, of another group#s efforts. This way, if anyone in any part of the chain is captured and interrogated, the only information that would be divulged is that which that person knows. # #What of the Maquis?# Asked an older man. #We have heard that they have been fighting out of the mountains for almost two years. That they have been making a real difference in our fight to free France. When will he and the fliers arrive? Do we know how many there will be?# The dark haired girl responded. #They could not say how many, but we think two or three. One may be an American, but we are not sure. MacLeod and I are to meet them before dawn, along the river.# The eastern horizon was showing a hint of the coming light. Four men made their way, single file, through the brush and trees above the river bank. It had been slow going since leaving the road four miles back. But this was certainly the safest way, with German patrols traveling all of the main routes to the city. One of the men whispered to the first in line. #Barnes, how much farther to the meeting place?# #We#re almost there. There#s an old...# Joseph Barnes hesitated, trying to get his bearings in the darkness. #...fishing dock.# He stopped for a second and adjusted his rifle and backpack. #If the message was correct, it should be around the next bend. Come now my friends.# In the growing light, the group caught sight of the dock jutting a few dozen feet into the shallows of the river. Joe waited a moment. He knew that a rendezvous such as this was a tricky thing. Caution was definitely the preferred course of action. After scanning over the area in front of them, He was about to whistle the prearranged signal when the *feeling* hit him. #MacLeod, what is it?# The girl asked, sensing her comrade stiffen. #If someone is there, why don#t they give the signal?# #Someone is here, Marie.# Duncan answered. He quickly thought through several courses of action. #Stay still, just in case something is wrong.# He said, deciding to go ahead and give the signal. He made the two short whistles, paused and added three more. Then he waited for the response. Joe clearly heard the hail, and thought to himself: # Well, its one of us, but this is not the time or place for a challenge. We are both here to do a job, to get these men out of France, to safety.# His answering whistles rang out in the cool morning air. Upon hearing the reply, Duncan easily located the position of the other party. With his rifle at the ready, he rose from his place in the thicket. About fifty paces away, one, two, three, and then four figures emerged from the wooded cover. He said to Marie, #I believe it#s safe, come, let us meet our travelers.# Speaking in French, he addressed the group. #I am Duncan MacLeod and this is Marie Lefbre, welcome to Paris. We hope you#ve had an....uneventful trip.# Although he spoke in a friendly, bantering manner, he was anything but calm. His heart pounding, he searched for any sign that would reveal which of these men was the other Immortal. As they approached, the first in line caught and held Duncan#s gaze. He then slowly nodded, in a silent acknowledgement. Macleod took these few seconds to study the fellow. He was of average height and build and wore a black mustache. He also looked to be a little older than most of the Immortals he had encountered. His weathered features were framed with several days growth of silver-black beard. The man replied in French with just a trace of an accent. #My name is Joseph Barnes and this is Major Stanley and Lt. Criss of the RAF, and Major Simmons of the United States Air force." Adding with a grin and an extended hand. #We are very glad to make your acquaintance." As the three officers thirst fully drained a pot of black coffee and devoured a few morsels of dark bread, a glance passed between MacLeod and Barnes. Recognizing the need for private conversation, the two men exited the dank cellar and stepped out into the morning light. Duncan broke the silence, asking in English. #How long have you been with the Maquis?# The man smiled. #Since the Republic fell, nearly two years ago. I# ve made it something of a habit, this getting involved with freedom fights and resistance movements. And I have several ... old friends here.# #You#re not French, though....American?# #Actually, I was born English. But I# ve spent a good deal of the past 80 years in America.# He changed the subject. #When do you expect the next radio message? I would think that it will outline the final destination for our flyers. Most likely Calais, and then a small boat across the Channel?# #The transmission should come at 10:00 this morning. But I tend to agree with you, such seems the most likely way.# Speaking with Barnes, Duncan could see that the man was sincere with the task at hand, and was not at all interested in a challenge. Recalling what Joseph had said a moment before, he drew him out, acting on a hunch. #You mentioned #old friends#. Would that be anyone in Paris?# #As a matter of fact, yes, there#s a wise old priest that I met about a century ago. His name is...# Duncan laughed, finishing the sentence. #.... Darius.# When the radio instructions came, the two Immortal#s speculations proved accurate. The three airmen were to be taken to the port city of Calais, where a Dutch fishing boat would smuggle them to England. They were to meet the boat at daybreak, in five days. Traveling on foot, Duncan knew that they would have to leave soon, in order to make the rendezvous. As the flyers were roused from their few hours sleep, Joseph prepared to return to the southern mountain hideaways of his guerrilla army. #It#s time I start back.# He said as he and Macleod shook hands. #God#s speed to you and the others.# #Also with you .... and watch your head.# Duncan, Marie, and the three officers set off within a few minutes. The safest way to travel through Occupied territory was on foot, away from all main routes and heavily populated areas. Unfortunately for them, the trip was about 120 miles and would take nearly all of the five days they had until the scheduled meeting. As fate would have it however, their departure would not go unobserved. By chance, a motorcade carrying a German Colonel passed by an adjoining street. Again by chance, this particular Colonel happened to notice the five figures exiting from a lower door in one of the abutting houses. Instantly suspicious, this officer ordered the motorcade halted. He and his driver, and his three soldier-guards headed down a side alley. Silently motioning his men to positions around the corners of two buildings, he waited for the approaching group to fall into his trap. As evening fell, the party of five made their way along the deserted street heading out to the main road. Once across this through-way, was the cover and relative safety of the forest. Marie led, with the three airmen immediately behind, and Duncan in the rear. The band turned the last corner and was confronted by five uniformed figures, two to their left and three to their right. All were holding weapons aimed in their direction. #What have we here?# It was the Colonel speaking as he waved his pistol over the startled group. #I think we have some of our Resistance fighters, Yes? ....# Duncan cursed himself for having missed seeing this ambush. His eyes darted from left to right, as he weighed their chances in a fire fight. He didn#t like what he saw. #RAISE YOUR HANDS! .... NOW!# The German officer shouted. And then to his men: #Take them ....# What happened next, unfolded too fast for any of them, except Duncan, to react to. From behind the two soldiers on the left, a figure swept from shadows. A hand over the face, pulling back the jaw and a lightning-like strike to the back of neck met the first man. Before this one even crumpled to cobblestone pavement, the second had his machine gun wrenched from his grasp. He never really knew what had hit him, before his own rifle butt sent him into oblivion. The three remaining Germans only now started to turn towards the commotion to their right. Seizing this opportunity, Duncan moved. In less than a second he was upon closest soldier, taking him with a blow to the back of the head and a knee to the face. In the meantime, Barnes had crossed the gap from the two fallen men to the others. As this last trooper brought his gun to bear, Joseph easily side stepped, delivered a roundhouse knee to his midsection, and finished him with the rifle butt to the side of his head. This left the Colonel, standing alone, between Barnes to his right and Macleod closing from the left. Desperately, he tried to shoot in Joe#s direction, but Duncan grabbed his arm from behind and twisted it skyward. Barnes# single palm heel strike to his gaping mouth ended the struggle. The entire fracas had lasted no longer than three seconds. #Good Lord! I don#t believe what I just saw !# It was Simmons, the American speaking. #I #ve never seen anything like that.... If I wouldn#t have seen it myself, I wouldn#t believe it!# As the others started to voice similar sentiments, Barnes offered an explanation. #After I crossed the road and entered the woods, I heard the motorcade come through. When I saw them stop, I thought it might be best if I followed along.... I#m glad that no shots were fired. You don#t need any more attention. Come, let#s get you on your way.# Duncan grabbed his arm and remarked quietly, #You didn#t learn that in America.# #I learned some of that from an Okinawan farmer...# He grinned. #....A few years back.# But then sobering, he took a deep breath and exhaled. #I#ll have to finish this.# Understanding his meaning, that these German#s would have to disappear without any trace, Duncan offered his help. #I#ll send the others on their way.... It will only take a few....# #No my friend, the gesture is appreciated, but you are needed with them.# Joseph touched his shoulder. #Go now.... And Highlander.... take care of yourself.# The End of #Resistance# =========================================================================