War in the Desert, Peace for Harry & Lois in 'World on Fire'
We return to World on Fire as the war in North Africa rages. A wounded Harry is sent to the hospital in Cairo while Stan joins Rajib and his men in retreat. It’s an awkward situation, as the British army practices an “equal but different” policy, leaving Stan uncomfortable as the only white man answering to a dark-skinned officer. Still, he’s more concerned they’re going the wrong way. Rajib's orders sent them into an ambush. As they shelter from fierce desert winds and gunfire, separated from the other men, Stan suggests surrender. Rahib refuses. No water, food, or ammunition? No problem! Let’s steal a truck.
Robina: “Let’s not create the Jarrow March over a simple request to change a nappy.”
As they drive away, they meet a German motorcyclist who runs him off the road to stop him from giving away their position. (They don’t know where they are, but neither will anyone else dammit.) But the motorcyclist has water, so they can’t kill him or leave him. Rajib orders him to strip or be stripped so he can’t escape and get in the truck. Despite all this, Stan and Rahib are getting on remarkably well, other than the very present danger of dying of thirst, until they realize that at some point, their naked prisoner has disappeared, and they’re running low on gas. Rahib insists they go back for him; it’s the humane thing to do.
