"After Heraklion, I must go to Souda
Bay."
"What for?" asked the lieutenant, his green eyes brightening as he watched her movements.
"You see, Petros ... Do you mind me calling you Petros?"
"I prefer it."
"You see, I am in love with a man who is a captain in the Greek Royal Navy." She took a deep breath. "He is on his way to Souda Bay."
"What is the name of his ship?" inquired Petros.
Anna hesitated for a moment. "Hellas," she murmured.
"The greater part of the paratroopers will land in Maleme airfield. I guess you knew that."
"No, I didn't" replied Anna, thinking of how close Maleme airfield was to Souda Bay, thinking of Nikolas.
***
"I remember visiting here with my parents," commented Anna as they passed Knossos. "It must have been beautiful once," she mused, as she looked toward the ruins. Then, before she knew it, Knossos was past and they were almost at their destination.
Arriving at Heraklion, they went straight to the airfield's headquarters. Petros handed Anna the papers. "Here, Anna, you deserve the honor."
"Why thank you, Petros," Anna smiled.
She had no trouble going up the chain of command to see General Giannakis. Sitting behind a simple wooden desk, with a picture of the king hanging behind him, the General lifted his eyes and looked at Anna. He then gently and slowly twisted the tips of his long meticulously trimmed mustache, not for a moment losing sight of her body. Anna quickly handed him the papers. The General put his glasses on and immediately started to read the documents.
Anna could see the rapid movement of his chest and the pressure building up in him. A need for air made him unbutton the collar of his shirt and take off his hat. He quickly picked up the phone, and a moment later, his office was full of British, Greek, and New Zealand officers. Anna could recognize their different accents. Ignored, she waited quietly with the hope that she would be given some instructions. There was a lot of arguing and raised voices as Anna listened.
"Why did the information get here so late?"
"This young girl brought it."
"Does she work with the British intelligence?"
"How do we know these are authentic documents?"
"It is not like the British to send information in such an unusual way."
"Most of our communication system is shot down, sir."
General Giannakis spoke loudly so all could hear:
"Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Listen to me!" One of the officers called for silence. "Let's not waste any more time. First, let us thank the young woman who brought these papers to us under difficult circumstances." Giannakis' voice boomed out loudly, more than one would think possible for a man of rather small stature.