AN: I make no ownership of Hogan's Heroes or any of its characters.

Chapter 1: Business As Usual

After his meeting with a member of the underground, code name Kewpie, Hogan took his time walking back to camp. During the meeting, Kewpie kept to the shadows, never reveling himself to Hogan. Something about Kewpie's voice sounded familiar, but Hogan was not able to put a face to it. One thing about Kewpie, which surprised Hogan, was how quickly he was willing to shoot him to keep his identity safe. If anyone knew how important it was to keep his identity a secret it was Hogan. If the Nazi's put together underground leader Papa Bear and senior prisoner of war Colonel Robert Hogan were the same person, he, as well as the rest of the underground would be in a heap of trouble.

Hogan paused at the bridge. He checked the area to make sure all was clear. He held his breath as he listened for any patrols wandering the area. Hogan's ears picked up some faint sounds. But not sounds he expected to hear. The faint sounds grew louder. No mistaking it, they were airplane engines. Not just any airplane; a B-17.

If there were anyone in the area, their eyes would be skyward. Hogan decided this would be the safest time to cross the bridge. As quickly and quietly as he could, he made his way across the bridge to the safety of some bushes. Curiosity got the better of him and he gazed toward the sky. To his surprise, there was only one plane!

Hogan couldn't figure why there was only one plane. A B-17 didn't go out alone, at least not without an escort. Hogan thought a moment of any reports from London about a bombing raid. For the safety of Hogan's men and the underground, London would inform him to make sure they were out of harms way.

Sounds of Anti-Aircraft guns unloading their fury upon the lone plane drowned the sound of the B-17's engines. Hogan could only watch helplessly as the plane was bombarded with hits.

A bright explosion caused Hogan to fall to the ground. He covered his head with his arms to protect it. With apprehension he forced himself to search the sky for survivors. One by one, he saw the white canopies of the parachutes open.

Hogan knew he had to reach the men before a patrol did. Lord, it's me again. Need your help as usual. As quickly has Hogan could manage with a still recovering leg and cane, he made his way through the woods to the area where the survivors would be. As he approached the area, he slowed his pace. He came to a complete stop when he heard voices.

"Come down now," Hogan heard a heavy German accented voice say.

He quietly made his way toward the voice. He found a German soldier pointing his weapon in a tree at one of the survivors. Hogan glanced around to see if he had any company; no one. Hogan positioned himself behind the soldier then whistled. When the soldier turned around, Hogan hit him as hard as he could with his cane, knocking the soldier unconscious.

"It's safe to come down now," Hogan whispered.

The survivor fell to the ground after undoing his harness. He jumped up quickly with a pistol pointed at Hogan.

"Put that way before someone, namely me, gets hurt." Hogan pushed the gun away with the tip of his cane.

"Afraid I can't do that. Who are you?" asked the survivor.

"If we keep standing around here, his buddies are going to capture both of us. Now lower your gun so we can find your friends." Hogan waited for the man to make the next move.

"Why should I trust you?" he asked Hogan.

Hogan pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt a headache making an appearance. "If I wanted you captured, I would not have knocked him out." Hogan pointed to the unconscious soldier lying on the ground.

The two men ducked when they heard a twig snap. A dark figure approached. "Sarge! You around here?" A man asked in a whisper.

"Shut up, Griffin. Get down before you get yourself shot," Sarge ordered.

Hogan assumed 'Sarge' was in command of the group. "I saw five chutes. How many were on the plane?"

"Who's this?" asked Griffin.

"Call me a 'Knight in not so shining armor,'" Hogan said flatly. At this rate, they would be lucky if they made it halfway to camp without getting caught.

"That's all there was," Sarge answered.

"Lets see if we can find your buddies. I need the both of you to be quiet as the grave or that is where we are going end up. Understood?" Once they nodded understanding, Hogan motioned for them to move out.

Hogan heard the grunts of two men struggling. He motioned for the two men with him to stay as he checked it out.

Hogan came across two men fighting and a couple German soldiers watching them. Hogan eased back to his two companions. He motioned for each of them to take out a German and he would handle the two fighting.

They separated to carry out their mission. Hogan was impressed, watching the two men sneak silently toward their targets. In a swift, soundless movement, the two Germans dropped to the ground. It gave him hope they might actually make it out of there alive and not captured. Well, in Hogan's case re-captured.

Hogan made his way to the two fighting men. As Hogan drew back his cane to knock the German out, the Allied soldier knocked the German unconscious. The German fell backward, knocking Hogan to the ground. The man who was fighting thought Hogan was a German and was going to fight him next.

His two friends ran to him, stopping his attack. "He's on our side," Sarge whispered.

"Sarge? Is that you?" asked the man who was fighting.

"Who else. Samuels, help me get the old man up." Sarge and Samuels moved the German off of Hogan and helped him to his feet.

"Who are you calling old?" Hogan demanded, a little irritated. He knew the war had taken its toll on him. Every time he looked in the mirror, he swore he aged another year. With everything he had been though, who wouldn't feel and look maybe just a little older. Even still, he would not consider himself old by a long shot.

"No offence. I was just referring to the cane and…" Sarge trailed off.

Hogan growled under his breath as he looked at the cane. If it weren't for Wilson's threats, he wouldn't be using it. He motioned for them to move out and stay quiet. He couldn't decide if he liked this 'Sarge' or not. Right now, he was learning closer to not.

In the dim light, Hogan could make out a white parachute against the dark tree canopy. The man in its harness was unmoving. He motioned for one of the men to climb up the tree and get him down.

After a few minutes, Griffin lowered the man to the ground. Hogan checked his vitals shaking his head. "He didn't make it."

"We are not leaving him behind," Sarge demanded.

"Wouldn't think of it. Back at camp, we can burry him," Hogan said quietly.

"I'll carry him, Sarge." Samuels picked up his fallen friend, positioning him over his shoulder.

"Attention allied soldiers!" Came a German accented voice. "We have your leader. Surrender now and no harm will come to him or you."

"We got to save him," Sarge ordered.

Hogan stopped him with his cane. "You will not go after him now, Sergeant."

The men fall silent when they heard someone approach their position. Hogan grinned when he heard the distinctive sound of a Spring Peeper. Hogan hooted a couple of times in response.

"What is going on?" Sarge demanded.

Four figures dressed in black, joined the group. "I like for you to meet my men," Hogan whispered proudly.

"That makes eight of us. We stand a good chance now of saving our CO." Sarge started to get up but was stopped.

"I said not now. If we attempt a rescue now, it will only result in someone if not all of us getting killed or captured. I will not allow that to happen," Hogan ordered.

"Who put you in charge old man?" The anger Sarge was feeling was evident in his voice and about to get them all caught.

"You will not speak to the gov'nor that way," Newkirk defended.

"Quiet all of you!" Hogan yelled in a whisper. "Let's continue this conversation elsewhere."

"American, do you have any words for your men?" asked the German.

"I do. Weed. Nose dive. Splinter," the American said loud and sternly.

Hogan's mouth dropped open. "Big Bird is your CO?"

"You know him?" Samuels asked.

"We move out," Hogan ordered.

"Not until we get our CO back," Sarge said sternly.

"Are you going to disobey Big Birds orders?" Hogan asked.

"If Papa Bear says not now, he has a good reason," Carter said.

Without another word, Hogan motioned for everyone to move out. Reluctantly, Sarge and his men followed.

A gunshot caused everyone to dive to the ground. Sarge jumped up first and started running toward the gunshot. He had only taken a step when Kinch tripped him.

"Get off of me. I am not going to stay here, while they kill him." Sarge twisted his body trying to get free.

Hogan put his hand over Sarge's mouth. "They won't kill a general. He is too expensive a bargaining chip. You are doing exactly what they want you to do. Trust me. I know how these people think. They won't kill him." I hope.

When Sarge relaxed, Hogan removed his hand. In a low threatening voice, Sarge growled, "If you are wrong and he dies, so do you."

"Lets get back to camp." Hogan could understand Sarge's remark. He would do anything to free his former CO, but getting killed or captured would not help free him. It hurt Hogan leaving him behind. It took all his strength to think with his head and not his emotions.

The rest of the trek to camp was in silence. As they came upon the tree stump, concealing the tunnel entrance, Hogan motioned for everyone to get down. To Hogan's surprise, there were no guards walking a post outside the wire. Hogan waited for the searchlights to pass. He motioned for the first group of two to climb down the entrance.

This process was repeated until everyone was in the tunnel safely. The three guests looked around in amazement. "Wow! This is sure some set up you have Papa Bear," Sarge remarked in awe.

"It's not much, but its home," LeBeau responded.

"Why did you go out there tonight?" asked Hogan.

"We heard the explosion. Figured we would try to get to the survivors before the Krauts did," answered Newkirk.

Kinch tapped his watch. "And you were late. By the way, how did the meeting with Kewpie go?"

Hogan was silent a moment. "Okay." The simple answer let the men know don't ask any more questions about the meeting. How could he tell them, Wright wasn't the only person the Krauts brainwashed? How could he tell them the Krauts tried to brainwash him as well. He would loose their respect, their trust, his command, but more importantly, he would loose their friendship.

The guests froze as Hogan removed his black shirt. They saw Hogan's back covered in scars. Some of which were not old. When Hogan put his uniform shirt on, the guests came to an immediate attention.

The sound caused Hogan to turn around. "Sir, we had no idea. Sorry for the comments, Sir," Sarge said.

"As you were." Hogan waved them off. "Nothing to apologize for. You had no way of knowing." While Hogan buttoned his shirt, he strolled up to Kinch. "Kinch, get in touch with the underground. Find out where they are taking General Lawrence. I want to know every move they make with him. Then get in touch with London. Let them know what happened. LeBeau, make our guests some food. Carter, handle sleeping arrangements. Newkirk, tell Christopher to get down here."

"Colonel, how do you know our CO?" Sarge asked in shock.

Hogan laughed. "Second Captain Hogan, at your service."

Carter paused. "Is that a new rank? I don't remember the rank. I never met a second captain before."

The guests laughed. Hogan shook his head. "No, Carter, it's not a new rank. General Lawrence is notorious for demoting people who give him a hard time. He made you earn your way back up. When you reached your original rank, he added a second to it."

"Gee, Colonel. I can't imagine you ever getting demoted. What did you do?" Carter asked innocently.

"Some other time," Hogan responded.

"So that is how you knew General Lawrence gave us the order to leave?" Sarge asked.

Hogan nodded.

"I didn't hear him give an order to leave," Carter stated, carrying an arm full of blankets.

"When he said 'Weed. Nose dive. Splinter.' Those are all objects you pull out," Hogan said, grinning.

Christopher came running down the tunnel. "Wanted to see me, Colonel?"

"Christopher, these men have one who didn't make it. I want you to handle the burial arrangements." Hogan looked at his watch. "Roll call is in three hours. We will take care of it after roll call."

"Yes, Sir," Christopher responded.

"If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have some planning to do," Hogan said, heading upstairs.

HH HH HH

Hochstetter headed to the file room after he finished his reports. When he turned a corner, he ran into two guards and a prisoner. "Watch where you are going!"

"Jawohl, Herr Major," the guards escorting the prisoner said.

Hochstetter noticed a hint of recognition in the prisoner's eyes. He followed his gaze to the folder, which had Hogan's name on it. "General, you know this man?" Hochstetter held the folder for the General to get a better look.

"Lawrence, Richard A. General in the U S Army Air Corps."

Hochstetter growled. He was tired of hearing name, rank and serial number. "What harm can it be to admit you know him? He has been a prisoner of the Third Reich for some time. If you would prefer, General, I can invite him here to ask him myself?"

"Why does it matter if I know him or not?" Lawrence asked evenly.

"Exactly. It doesn't matter. So there is no reason for you to not answer my question." The grin on Hochstetter's face made him look like the devil himself.

"Herr Major, there is an Oberst Riemann from Gestapo headquarters in Berlin on the phone for you," stated the clerk nervously.

"I will take it in my office. Bring the General," Hochstetter ordered.

Hochstetter sat behind his desk as he picked up the phone. "Major Hochstetter here. Heil Hitler… Ja. The general is in my office now. He was just brought in, how do you know about him? …Right, it is your business to know everything…But, Sir…Jawohl Herr Oberst. I will have him ready to transport to Berlin." Hochstetter covered the mouthpiece of the phone as he talked to the guards. "Take him to a cell until his Berlin escort arrives." He uncovered the mouthpiece. "No, Sir. We were unable to catch anyone else. However, I believe he might have a connection to someone at the local Stalag…Colonel Robert Hogan…Jawohl. It will be my pleasure to escort Colonel Hogan to Berlin, but Sir, he is in Luftwaffe custody...Gut! I will be expecting his transfer papers. See you later today."

Hochstetter hung up the phone with a devilish grin. As soon as I receive the transfer orders Hogan, you are mine.