106 | John W. Warner IV More hearty laughter, as if their deployment at Siwa were nothing but a holiday or exotic excursion to the back of beyond, an arid trifle, a much-needed rest for a battle- weary and threadbare arm of the vaunted and undefeated Deutsche Afrika Korps under Generaloberst Irwin Rommel, one that desired an equally exotic pet to reinforce their esprit de corps, reinforce their gilded reputation via glamorous photos sent back to Berlin. For them it was pure adventure. The lioness roared louder, pawing violently outside the confines of the sturdy cage, eager to get her precious offspring back. The mesmerized crowd ooh-o-o-od and aww-w-w-wd. Bea couldnt believe her eyes. Arrogant dolts, whatre they thinking? Shes pissed- angry. What mother wouldnt he? Talk about the Divine Feminine…. Perhaps not much thinking was performed beforehand. Pauvre animal whispered Gwafa. Takuta partially hid behind Udad. No one said wed be dealing with ruddy man-killers out ere, mum. Shut it. Bea then nudged Gwafa. Take Udad and get as close to that tank as possible, the 101. Its nearest to the wall. Do so at the quick without causing suspicion. Now go. But madame… Go. Bea watched them wander through the growing crowd of soldiers and distracted locals more interested in a graceful and dangerous animal than prayers for the moment. Still the enchanting call from atop a minaretHayya ala-s-Salah… Gwafa began to chat up a German guard near the tank closest to a neighboring brick wall, pretending to be selling tobacco along with some Arabs proffering sweets, cinnamon sticks and cloves. The burly German shook his head repeatedly, pushing them back with his rifle held horizontally, cursing. Temper ignited, he pushed back an Arab hard, then felled Gwafa with a mild butt to his ribs. In the dense crowd Bea moved closer, thinking that shooting the German commander would be the best move; she shook with fear and indecision. What the hell, well probably die today anyway. A loose leather flap on an Italian officers belt offered itself as an opportunity, and she gingerly reached for the pistol. Abruptly, the snarling cub jumped out of the German Sergeants arms and fled. With laughter, other soldiers began a wild goose chase.