Could we have a clue as to who she is, please
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| Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8110 |
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| Author: | chattie [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
A prequel to Mad Medusa. Of Some Other Metal but Earth 1943, France The young man lay sprawled across the heap of hay whilst his female companion sat rather more primly on the edge of a small handcart. The older man paused in the barn doorway, pulling off his broad-brimmed hat. “Bonjour. Am I on the right road for Saint-Beauzély?” “Yes, but it’s a long walk.” The other man leapt up as he gave the correct response and came forward with his hand outstretched. “Patrice Cordier.” “Bastien Andrieu.” They shook hands and then Bastien turned to the woman. “And you, mademoiselle?” “Madeleine Lemaire.” They settled back down again, Bastien taking a seat beside Madeline and there was a long silent pause. “We are waiting for one other?” Bastien asked. “Yes, a woman,” Patrice said. Bastien pulled a face. “Christiane Couderc, supposedly your sister, yes? I hope she’s good. Do you know her?” “I don’t think any of us do. I thought she’d be coming in on the same plane as you.” “Evidently not.” There was another long silence. “Suppose we go through our cover stories? Let each other know what embellishments we’re putting on the basic briefs we’ve all had?” Bastien suggested. “That’s a good idea. I am Patrice Cordier from Torcy, in the Seine-et-Marne, about 21 kilometres from the centre of Paris. I work in an ironmonger’s on the Rue de Paris as I have a heart condition which precludes me doing anything terribly physical. My parents are dead and I have just one sister, Christiane, who is a couple of years younger than me and who is a widow. She has been down in Aveyron to visit her late husband’s family and I’ve come to escort her back home unless she’s managed to find a job down here.” Bastien nodded. “And the job? It is arranged?” “Yes. She has been offered work in a café in town and she thinks there might be something for me in a local shop too if I want to move. I have to go for an interview and I haven’t yet made up my mind if I want to move south.” “Good. I am Bastien Andrieu from Millau. I was born in Aveyron but I have travelled all over the country and it’s seventeen years or more since I was last here. I have mainly worked on road repairs but I fell out with the boss of my last work gang so have come back to my home départment to see if I can get work here. I have a married brother who lives out on the Causse du Larzac who I haven’t seen for years. I have never married myself and I live in rented rooms, moving on frequently when I find myself in arrears.” “Are you French then?” Madeline asked. Bastien regarded her sternly. “Here, mademoiselle, we are all French. You are going to tell me that you are French, yes?” “But of course I am French! My name is Madeline Lemaire and I was born in Lille. Like Patrice, my parents are also dead, both within the last eighteen months. I want to be a school teacher but have found it hard to find a post in the north because I am a Protestant and the Catholic Church is gaining more and more say on the running of schools there. I heard that there were fewer church-run schools in Aveyron, Lozère and other southern départments so thought to gain employment here. I am lucky. I have been taken on to teach the girls in the Ecole Maternelle in the village of Saint-Estève and will lodge with the school’s headmaster and his wife who also teaches.” “Your accent is not from Flanders,” Bastien said critically. “Despite my Protestant background, I was schooled by nuns who insisted on us speaking the purest of French. I fled Lille with my parents when the Germans invaded Belgium three years ago and we moved closer to Paris so I then trained at the Ecole Normale de Jeunes Filles at Saint-Germain-en-Laye.” She took a deep breath. “And before you completely write me off, Monsieur Andrieu, most of the schoolchildren will speak patois at home and both they and their parents would find my accent odd wherever I came from if I don’t speak the langue d’oc. I also happen to be a bloody good radio operator.” “Well said, but not in keeping with your character, my dear,” said a completely new voice from somewhere above their heads. They were all on their feet immediately and as a figure jumped down from the high shelf which acted as a loft in the barn, landing in the hay beside Patrice, the young man had a knife to the interloper’s throat within seconds. “Who are you? What are you doing here?” |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (New drabble) |
A cliff on the first post? Now that's just not fair! Please come back soon and tell us more! |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (New drabble) |
Am hoping it's the younger sister they were expecting. The other girl needs to stay in character better or there could be some problems. Thanks |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (New drabble) |
Could we have a clue as to who she is, please
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| Author: | Abi [ Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (New drabble) |
 Well, I'm hoping it's the 'sister'!
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| Author: | Lesley [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (New drabble) |
I would think it has to be the one they are waiting for - anyone else is going to get their throat cut! And Madeleine needs to stay in character or she will give herself away. |
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| Author: | JellySheep [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (New drabble) |
Golly! Some cliff! But even without that, I'd still want to read on about this. Hopefully Madeleine will be able to keep her cover story intact. |
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| Author: | chattie [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 13/07) |
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” “I’m Christiane, of course. Do you know Emile Lacroix?” “I only know a Jacques of that name. Good God, you had me worried!” Patrice relaxed his hold on the young woman’s arm and put the knife back into his pocket. All three of them looked at her intently, each of them forming an instant impression. Young, thought Patrice. But then, she is meant to be just a couple of years younger than me. She looks fit. That was a fair leap down and she landed lightly enough. I suppose I have to assume Orchard Court know what they’re doing, putting two women in this group, but I doubt the other chap will like it much. Slacks are sensible, I suppose, thought Madeleine. She’s not much older than me. Three years? Four, perhaps. She looks French with those short curls, but she reminds me of someone. Is she going to be unbearably bossy? Am I in trouble with her already? Young, thought Bastien. But at least she’s not as young or as much of a looker as the other kid. I don’t like having women mixed up in this when the risks are so high. Granted, they can move around the place more easily than the younger men can but they’re still a liability. “I checked up there when Madeleine and I first entered,” Patrice protested, gesturing to the hay loft. “It was empty, I’d swear to it.” “There was a ladder round the back and there’s a pitching window up there. I was there before Bastien arrived.” Her French was faultless and her accent indistinguishable from his own. “Do you want to hear my story? I am Christiane Couderc, née Cordier, Patrice’s sister. My husband, Jean, was a soldier and was killed near Arras in 1940. We met and married in Paris a year before the war started, but he was originally from Aveyron and his mother was still living here. I received word three months ago that she was dying and wanted to see me as we had never met before so I came down and nursed her in her last days in a small hamlet up on the Causse. I was not well myself for a little while afterwards and did not relish the prospect of travelling back north on my own so asked Patrice to come and fetch me. In the meantime, however, I’ve found work in a café in Millau and I want to stay as it is much more peaceful down here. I want to persuade Patrice to move here as well.” “Bravo,” Bastien said, with an exaggerated roll of the ‘r’ which made the word sound sardonic. Christiane shot him a piercing look. “I have been down here three months already, which is three months longer than any of you. This is my fourth mission and, believe me, Monsieur, I know what I am doing. I have the necessary contacts with the local maquis and a network of good hiding places set up for the radio and other items or people as necessary. I have been liaising with Edmond, who will lead this group. Do you object to me being his messenger? You don’t perhaps like women?” “Bastien Andrieu does not like women,” Bastien said with a shrug. “I, at least, know how to remain in character.” Madeline flushed and would have retorted but for the fact that she saw Christiane give a slight shake of her head. “Well, I do have orders for all of us from Edmond. Sit down,” Christiane instructed them. “This is as safe a place as any, for the farmer is one of the local maquisards.” “Are we to meet this Edmond?” Patrice asked with a note of curiosity in his voice. “That is up to him. For now, all he wants you to know is his codename. Indeed, he has codenames for all of us. Yes, we need to use our character names when necessary but we need to start to think of each other by codenames in case our characters have to change or in case we are ever overheard. If the latter, then at least we have not given away names which might identify some one of us. I am Béatrice. You are Marc Antoine.” She then turned to Bastien and Madeline. “You are Ferdinand and you, Juliette.” |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (New drabble) |
This is fascinating. |
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| Author: | Eilidh [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 13/7) |
Really enjoying this, thanks! |
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| Author: | Joanne [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 13/7) |
Echoing the fascinating. Wonder if they'll meet up with Rosalie in Paris! |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 13/7) |
Thanks for the update! |
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| Author: | Abi [ Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 13/7) |
Really enjoying this - thanks! |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 11:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 13/7) |
Thanks, its nice to see more of this |
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| Author: | chattie [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 13/7) |
Thanks for the encouraging words. Today's offering sounds like a geography/history lesson I'm afraid, but I need to do some background scene setting! She then turned to Bastien and Madeline. “You are Ferdinand and you, Juliette.” “Juliette...” the younger girl repeated softly, a slight smile playing over her lips. “I like that.” “Good. Now to proceed,” Christiane-Béatrice said in business-like fashion. “Initially all you are being asked to do is to settle into your characters and become accepted into the communities in which you are living. The Aveyronnais, and the Caussenards in particular, are... How can I put this? Independent and stubborn. They don’t like interference in their ways be it from Paris or from Berlin. For those of us based in town, that is less likely to be an issue. For you, Juliette, in a smaller community, that is potentially more of a problem, but as the main resentment at present is against the German occupation, I think you will be fine as long as you make yourself liked. I don’t know how much briefing you’ve had about the Resistance in Aveyron. There are many who are members of it and still more that support them, but they are not the sort of organised freedom fighters found in some other areas. For the most part they are draft dodgers, if you like, as there was a highly unpopular order, the Service du Travail Obligatoire earlier this year for any man born between 1919 and 1922 to register for potential compulsory service either in Germany or in German-run industries in France. A lot of the local young men simply refused to do it and slipped away into the woods or up onto the causses. They are not armed and they have not normally engaged much with the enemy except the odd bit of sabotage when an opportunity has presented itself. They are outlaws, if you like, living off the land or with the support of their compatriots, but there are some big bands of them in some places, together with similar groups of foreigners – Spaniards and Poles for the most part – stranded in France when the Germans invaded and also some groups of French Jews who fled here from the east at the start of the war. Our role here is to be one of co-ordination. We need to get these groups working together and active, but the Allies are not able or not willing to provide them with arms and they are unhappy about that, so it may not be easy. “As for the Germans themselves... There are about 800 garrisoned in Millau and they are fairly tame, I suppose. The officers rather like drinking the wine in the bars and don’t want too much hostility to spoil the atmosphere. The enlisted ranks are predominantly not even German. They are from Armenia, Georgia and the other countries of the Caucasus and have joined the Germans because they don’t like Soviet rule. They are ill-disciplined, ill-educated and not exactly ideal Nazis. They like Millau for the pretty young women in the dance halls. However, there are also smaller groups stationed on or near the major roads and they are more likely to be a problem best avoided. “As far as coming and going is concerned, it should be easier than you may think. A Millavois likes to think that he is a sophisticated town-dweller but scratch his skin just a little and the paysan is still there just below the surface. Many of the townspeople have plots of land a little way out in the countryside where they grow vines to make their own wine and perhaps keep rabbits, which largely look after themselves. Some of the keener ones go out there on a daily basis and have chickens and ducks as well and perhaps a pig. The soldiers in town have long since learnt that they can’t stop them going out of town to their lands although there’s a strict curfew which they can fall foul of if they’re too late back. My employers, Monsieur and Madame Constans, have a plot just outside Saint-Estève so Marc Antoine and I will use that as an excuse to meet up with Juliette. Ferdinand, you will have to come up with your own reason for travelling out in that direction. You will also need to get to know the surrounding area. There are the deep wooded ravines of the river valleys and then the arid expanses of the limestone plateaux of the causses. There are few people living up there except in small hamlets and isolated farmhouses but hundreds and hundreds of sheep. Water is scarce but there are plenty of abandoned huts and shelters which can provide good hiding places if necessary. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
Thanks - this must have involved a lot of research. |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 4:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
Thanks for the background! It must have involved some research, as Alison said - I'm in awe! |
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| Author: | Abi [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
Agreeing with Alison and Ariel. This is fascinating! |
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| Author: | shesings [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
This is wonderful stuff, can't wait for the next episode! |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 7:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
Love all the background - makes it real. Thanks chattie |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
I'm impressed by all your knowledge. Thanks this is amazing. I love history |
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| Author: | chattie [ Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
Thanks for all the kind words! I spent three wonderful 'rites of passage' weeks in Aveyron when I was 17, arranged through an acquaintance of my father's who had, herself, been in the Resistance there which is what gave me the idea for the setting and I was astounded by how much information I was able to find on the internet - Google Books rocks! Not sure that there will be an update today, so don't hold your breath... |
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| Author: | Elbee [ Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
I'm always fascinated by stories about the Resistance during the War. Thanks, chattie. |
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| Author: | cal562301 [ Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Of Some Other Metal but Earth (updated 14/7) |
Just found this and really enjoying it. Looking forward to more. Thanks, Chattie. |
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