Alone Wolf

Blue Moon

Brazil 1957

Captain Hans Gunsche stood guard behind the Major's chair in a dark corner of the grand ballroom.

His posture remained stiff despite the civilian crowd surrounding his master. As always, his duty was to protect the Major. No matter the cost.

Red eyes stared at a fixed point while his other senses scanned the room for threats. Hans had no desire to watch as wealthy men reached for scantily clad cocktail waitresses. Meaty hands connected with bare flesh before being slapped away with a playful smile and wink.

If there was anything in the room he were to reach for, it would be the tie wrapped uncomfortably tight around his throat. The stiff button up shirt and vest felt suffocating compared to his usual uniform, but the mission required discretion. It wouldn't do for him to walk around dressed like the war criminal he truly was.

The lead members of Millennium were visiting a high end cabaret. An unusual establishment for South America, but the sudden flood of European refugees had built a demand which German businessman Ottfried Werner was more than happy to provide. Wealth and political influence sat at Werner's fingertips and he was about to find himself presented with two choices:

Join the war efforts of Millennium, or die crushed beneath their boots.

A topless waitress wove her way through the crowd and bumped into the Captain's arm as she tried to reach the Major's table. Tilting his head, Hans stared down at her until her apologetic smile faltered and she began to smell faintly of fear. Even without the sigil of the totenkopf, his seven foot frame presented an intimidating figure.

"Now, Captain. There is no need to terrify the young Fräulein."

The Major motioned for the waitress to move closer while Hans resumed guard duty. Free of the Captain's glare, she asked the question that had brought her to their table.

"Drinks for you gentlemen?"

The smile that split the Major's pudgy cheeks made her skin crawl. He was much shorter than the Captain and the Doctor seated by his side, but no less unsettling in his immaculate white suit. Lifting her tray, she covered her breasts while the Major reveled in her discomfort.

"Hot cocoa. Extra cream and extra sugar. That will be all."

The Major dismissed her with a wave of his hand and turned his attention back to the stage. Beside him, the Doctor frowned as he leaned close to his ear.

"Major, I believe you were expected to order an alcoholic beverage. Who orders hot cocoa in an establishment such as this?"

The Doctor gestured towards the stage where a dancing girl had removed the last of her clothing and continued her sultry dance hidden behind a pair of large feather fans.

"If they are going to make us wait, then I will drink what I wish!"

The Captain ignored the rest of their conversation. His only motion was to flare his nostrils when the waitress returned with the Major's drink. The meeting with Werner was supposed to be on friendly terms, but a good dog knew better than to let down his guard. Satisfied that the drink was safe, Hans allowed the waitress to place it in front of his master. She spared him one last, nervous glance over her shoulder then hurried away.

Around the room, the lights dimmed as the dancing girl finished her act. The noise of the crowd lowered to an excited murmur.

Sabine smiled at Inge as she exited the stage and gave her a supportive nod. The younger woman's dancing was coming along. With a little more work on her singing, she had a real chance at being promoted to full time performer. While not an ideal position, it beat waiting tables and getting groped by the patrons.