It was a cold November morning in Stalag 13. All 15 men were called to roll call early. Sergeant Schultz had made it clear that Colonel Wilhelm Klink was urgent to speak with all 15 men in the camp. As usual, Colonel Robert Hogan, and his men had entered out into two rows, as Schultz went down the line counting all the men.

"Vierzehn, fünfzehn," Schultz barked.

Hogan and his men stood strong and alert of what Klink had to tell them.

"Wonder what it is that Klink is so insistent on telling us." LeBeau commented softly to Hogan.

"Probably another closing of the Recreation Center." Hogan whispered back.

"You don't think he found the tunnel, do you?" Carter questioned.

"Sshhhhh; he'll hear you." Hogan snapped, softly.

All men grew silent and listened to what Klink had to say.

"Attention, everyone; I have to alert you all on a major issue that has recently developed. There is a serious case of typhoid fever going around due to contamination of water supply from aerial bombings in the area. No one is to use any of the sinks or wells for the use of getting a drink. We have an import of water bottles coming in later today from Italy." Klink reported.

"What about taking baths, Kommandantur?" Hogan asked.

"Showers will be allowed, but antibacterial mouthwash will be handed out to all prisoners to use afterwards to prevent any typhoid infected bacteria from ailing any of the prisoners."

"How long will this pose a problem to us?" Carter asked.

"Until I receive word from Berlin that says otherwise. As of now, you shall obey my orders and all safety regulations or you shall spend solitary confinement in the cooler!" Klink snapped.

All men nodded, then Klink dismissed them all. Everyone but for Hogan, Peter Newkirk, and Kinchloe went inside their quarters. The three men walked around outside and discussed more on the breaking news of the disease outbreak.

"Typhoid fever...it isn't contagious, is it Colonel?" Kinchloe asked.

"Nothing to worry about, Kinchloe. The disease is not communicable on any sorts of levels. The only way to contract the bacterial infection is to be exposed to contaminated substance from which it came from." Hogan answered.

"So as long as we stay clear from the water, we'll be in tip top shape." Newkirk answered back.

"Exactly, Newkirk," Hogan remarked.

"What if someone does, in fact, fall ill for whatever reason?" Kinchloe asked.

"Then they will be treated with medicine provided for Colonel Klink to treat wounded and sick prisoners." Hogan answered.

Newkirk stopped and began to cough vigorously. Hogan and Kinchloe turned their attention to their friend and walked back to check on him.

"Newkirk, all you alright?" Hogan questioned.

"Quite alright, sir; I got a little tickle in my throat, is all." Newkirk simply replied.

"Here," Hogan said, taking off his scarf. He wrapped around Newkirk's neck. "Use this; it should keep you nice and warm."

Newkirk nodded and the three continued walking.

"It's brutal, out here." Kinchloe spoke, slightly shivering.

"If I had to ask for punishment, I'd much rather pick the cooler than be outside in this weather." Hogan asked, pulling his jacket in tighter against his body.

Newkirk coughed, again. Hogan and Kinchloe turned around, when they heard him start gasping for air.

"Newkirk, are you sure you're alright?" Hogan asked, starting to worry.

"You need a cough drop at all?" Kinchloe added.

"No, I'm alright; it's the cold I tell yah; I can't get used to it no matter where I am." Newkirk answered.

"Are you sure, Newkirk; that sounds like one nasty cough you have, there." Hogan spoke.

"If something starts to bug me, I'll be sure to let yah know, sir." Newkirk responded, nicely.

Hogan nodded, and the two men continued walking off discussing more about the new disturbance involving all of the prisoners of Stalag 13.