CRAVINGS
AN: The sequel to Addiction was written with permission from ColHogan. Contains minor curse words and references to using illegal drugs. I do not make any ownership to Hogan's Heroes or any characters mentioned in the story.
Chapter 1: The Gift
It has been a few months since the Nazis tested a new "experimental drug" to make questioning prisoners more productive on Colonel Hogan. It wasn't until Hogan was rescued from Diels; they discovered the "experimental drug" was really heroin. Diels planed to get Hogan addicted to the heroin then with hold it until he gave them whatever information he desired just to get more of the drug. The original plan was once Diels got everything he could from Hogan, the next injection of the drug would have been his last. Hogan was going to die of an overdose to cover up what Diels was doing.
Fortunately for Hogan, Diels was killed and he was rescued before Diels could carry out his entire plan. It was a long, hard struggle for Hogan as he went through the withdrawal of not having the heroin. He even pushed the men who were trying to help him away. Thankfully, they all realized it was the heroin making him act the way he was and cut him some slack.
The cravings had affected him physically. His body hurt and he became extremely irritable; snapping at everyone. When he had a craving, he took a bite of chocolate and washed it down with a glass of water. This helped tremendously, except soon, chocolate came in short supply and a request for an air drop of a chocolate was made to London. At first London thought the request wasn't necessary and wasn't going to okay it. It wasn't until they discovered it was for Papa Bear before they considered the unusual request. After the request to get a pizza recipe from Garlotti's Pizzeria in New Jersey1, unusual requests from Papa Bear didn't surprise them and the request was granted.
To protect Hogan and his career, his men never told London the truth about what happened. The only thing London knew was an experimental drug was tested on Colonel Hogan. It bothered Hogan his men lied to London to protect him, because if London ever discovered the truth, they would all get into trouble.
Hogan's cravings for the drug have all but vanished. About the only time he needed the chocolate to help with the cravings was when London gave his operation a difficult mission or he was under a lot of stress. The voices and the nightmares were practically gone. He would have never made it this far without the help of his friends.
Sometimes he felt guilty for ever doubting their loyalty to him. When he remembers the lies Diels and the heroin told him, he couldn't believe he believed them. He knew his men better than that. He knew they would never abandon him.
The hold the heroin had was too strong for him to think clearly. He could have sworn it was really his men standing in his room, turning their backs on him. Many times Hogan mentally kicked himself for succumbing to the lies. But what choice did he have? He couldn't tell the difference between the truth and lies. Everything in his mind felt like it was spinning in a tornado. During the times, he hurt so bad, he didn't care or try to sort things out. He simply accepted what he saw and was told.
As his body lost most of its dependence on the drug, things became clearer. Most of the time with Diels, he didn't remember. All he really knew was what he was told and the few memories he had. At least he thought they were memories. They could have been hallucinations or nightmares brought on by the heroin. Part of him was afraid of what he still didn't know and Diels would be the only one who could answer his question; did he confess anything? He may never know the answer to the question since Diels was dead and if he did confess anything, it died with him; or so Hogan hoped.
So far, no one has come knocking on his door to arrest him for being a spy. If he did confess anything to Diels, he didn't tell anyone else. Or maybe he did and they were just waiting for the opportune time to arrest him.
It took a while, but he learned to stop dwelling on the "what ifs." Whatever happened, happened and there is nothing he could to do change it. All he could do is move forward and start business back up. If something happened as a result of his confession to Diels, they would just have to cross that bridge when they came to it.
Hogan and his men were enjoying the rest they had received from London after a difficult and stressful mission, almost resulting in the capture of one of his men. He knew it was his fault. He didn't eat any chocolate before going on the mission and he didn't take any with him. His ego told him he had everything under control enough to go back out. Was he ever wrong? A craving struck at the wrong time. The pain hit Hogan without any warning. The groan he let out gave their position away, almost causing the patrol to find them. They would have found Newkirk if he didn't give the patrol something else to chase; himself.
Absently, Hogan rubbed his arm. He was fortunate the guard on patrol wasn't a good shot. The bullet just grazed his arm. It would still leave a scar, reminding him of yet another mistake.
That was a rare case but a chance he wasn't going to take again. Until he was completely over the withdrawals, he wouldn't go out in the field again unless necessary. If something would have happened to his men because of the stupid cravings he had, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Not to mention, London might find out why the mission was botched and arrest him and his men; if they lived through it. He didn't want that and wouldn't let that happen; no matter the cost.
A smile appeared on Hogan's face. Soon it would all be behind him and it would seem like a bad dream. All he had to do was go a little bit longer and there would be no cravings at all to put him or his men in jeopardy or to remind him of the horrible ordeal. Life would soon be back to normal.
The smile faded. But the scars and memories would always be there though. It didn't matter if his superiors knew the truth or not of what happened to him, he would know. Not to mention it would always be in the back of his mind; the fear of going into a relapse. Maybe he was a liability to everyone and he was just fooling himself into believing everything would be fine and he could run things like he did before the nightmare started.
"Colonel!" Corporal Louis LeBeau said as he rushed into the barracks. "Hochstetter just showed up. He's going into Klink's office and he's smiling."
"If he's smiling, we're in trouble. Let's listen in." The men followed Hogan into his office. Kinch plugged in the coffeepot which acted as a speaker for the microphone they have planted in Klink's office.
"Major Hochstetter, what a pleasant surprise," Kommandant Wilhelm Klink greeted. "What can I do for the Gestapo today?"
"You can have Colonel Hogan brought here immediately. I wish to give him a gift," the men heard Hochstetter say.
"Schultz, bring Colonel Hogan here at once," Klink ordered.
The men unplugged the coffeepot and assumed their casual positions in the common room.
"What do you think he wants to give you, Colonel?" asked Kinch.
"There's no telling." His mind raced frantically through all the possibilities for an answer. Did something happen on the last mission to give himself away and he was here to arrest him? Did a member of the underground talk? Did it have something to do with what he might have told Diels?
"Colonel Hogan, your presence is requested in the Kommandant's office," announced Schultz.
"Do you know what it's about?" asked Hogan.
Schultz shrugged. "I don't know. Have you been bad? Major Hochstetter looks awfully happy."
"We have been on our best behavior. Haven't we men?" All the men in the barracks nodded their head and voiced their agreement. "See, I told you so. Lead the way." Hogan nodded for his men to continue listening while he nervously followed Schultz.
Hogan waited patiently to be given permission to enter into Klink's office. The sooner he knew what was making Hochstetter happy, the sooner he knew how to make him unhappy. Schultz motioned for Hogan to enter. After a deep breath, Hogan entered. He immediately came to attention, saluting. "You wanted to see me, Kommandant?"
"No, Colonel, I did," said Hochstetter. "If you gentlemen will give us some privacy, what I have to give to Colonel Hogan must be done in private."
"Now see here, Major. I will not leave a Luftwaffe prisoner alone with the Gestapo. According to the Geneva…" Klink was cut off.
"I assure you, Kommandant, I will not lay one finger on Colonel Hogan." Hochstetter removed a small rectangular box from his pocket. "I only wish to give this gift to Colonel Hogan, but it is for his eyes only. A matter of security you might say."
The sweetness in Hochstetter's voice filled everyone who listened to it with trepidation. True to Hogan's nature, whenever he was scared, he made light of the situation. "I'll be okay with Wolfie. If I need you, I'll scream."
"We'll be just outside the door," warned Klink.
At last the room was empty. "So what is this gift, Major?" asked Hogan, getting down to the point.
Hochstetter handed the small box with a red bow on top to Hogan. "This will be the only time I will give it to you, with no strings attached. If you want any more of it, you'll need to talk Klink into letting you leave camp with me tomorrow. If you are pressured for a reason why, tell them you've decided, of your own free will, to give me a full confession."
"What makes you so sure I'll want to leave camp with you?" asked Hogan.
"You won't have any choice. You will desire more of what is in the box and the only way to get it is to come with me. Open it," said Hochstetter
With hesitation, Hogan opened the box. He stared torpidly inside the box at the syringe filled with a milky white liquid. He knew immediately what was in it. He knew he should close the box and throw it back at Hochstetter or in the very least, break the syringe.
But he couldn't.
All he could do is gaze at it as the hunger in him grew. The longer he stared at it; the stronger was Hogan's desire to have it.
"I know you have been a long time without the drug," said Hochstetter hypnotically as he circled Hogan. "I can tell by the expression on your face you crave the euphoric feeling its grasp has on you. Go on, Colonel, feed the hunger, and surrender to your craving. I'm sure you were shown how to give the injection yourself."
Without realizing it, Hogan nodded a yes in response.
"Good. What are you waiting for? Do it," urged Hochstetter.
HH
"I don't believe it!" exclaimed Newkirk. "That bloody Kraut is trying to get Colonel Hogan hooked on heroin again!"
"Oui! We got to stop him before it's too late!" said LeBeau.
"You guys go outside and start a large riot. Only stop when Colonel Hogan shows up," ordered Kinch.
The men rushed outside. Newkirk, LeBeau and Carter headed behind the barracks. Carter "accidentally" bumped into another prisoner; one he knew didn't care much for him. This should get an argument going.
"Hey, watch it you clumsy oaf!" yelled Martin as he shoved Carter.
"Now, who are you calling a clumsy oaf?" asked Newkirk as he stood between the two men.
"I think you need to apologize," said LeBeau folding his arms in disgust.
"Apologize for what? He ran into me?" said Martin completely confused.
Newkirk grabbed Martin by the collar, pulling him closer to him. In a low voice he said, "Play along. We need a large diversion." Martin nodded. In a much louder voice Newkirk said, "That's not the way I saw it."
Martin shoved Newkirk. LeBeau shoved Martin. "You can't do that to my friend."
A couple of Martin's friends ran up to the group. "What's going on here?" one of them asked.
"Diversion," said Newkirk in a low voice. "Martin here needs to be taught a lesson in manners." Newkirk punched Martin.
Before anyone knew what happened or why, six prisoners were fighting each other. Then the six grew rapidly. No one was safe from getting hit if they were within striking distance.
Kinch stepped in to try to "stop" the fight, but ended up joining the fight.
HH
Langenscheidt tried to stop the riot when Kinch's efforts failed. No one would listen to him either. It was obvious there was only one person who could gain control of these men. He ran to the Kommandantur "Herr, Kommandant, the prisoners are rioting. I cannot stop it. You must get Colonel Hogan to stop them!"
Not waiting for orders, Schultz immediately went into Klink's office. "Excuse me, Herr Major, but Colonel Hogan, you are needed outside; the prisoners are rioting." Hogan didn't pay Schultz any attention. "Colonel Hogan, did you hear me?" There was still no response. Schultz shook Hogan out of his hypnotic state. "Colonel, the prisoners are rioting. We need you to stop them before someone gets hurt."
Shaking his head, Hogan closed the box, slipped it into his pocket and stared at Schultz. "Are all Krauts helpless and can't do anything for themselves? asked Hogan irately as he pushed passed the Germans to go outside. "I don't think you guys could make it to the end of the war without me."
Shock at Hogan's response didn't begin describing the feeling Klink and Schultz shared. Hochstetter on the other hand grinned, knowing it was going to be easier than he thought to get Hogan addicted again to the heroin. With just a look at the syringe, Hogan experienced a powerful craving and if it wouldn't have been for the interruption, Hogan would have willingly surrendered to the call of the drug. With satisfaction in knowing his plan would work, Hochstetter left.
"Okay, Schultz, where is this damn riot?" yelled Hogan stepping on the porch.
"Ummm…over there behind Barracks 5," said Schultz sheepishly.
With Klink and Schultz in tow, Hogan marched to where Schultz directed him. Sure enough, there was a large mass of prisoners in a brawl. Hogan gave one of his famous high pitched whistles. "What the hell is going on here?"
It didn't matter if the prisoners were in the middle of throwing a punch or getting up from being knocked down, everyone froze in place. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. "I'm still waiting for an answer."
Kinch tapped Hogan on the shoulder. "What!" Hogan snapped.
"Can we talk?" asked Kinch.
"All I want is answers on what started this fight," said Hogan. "If I don't get them right now, I'm confining everyone here to barracks for a week with all privileges revoked for two weeks!"
"It's about the fight," said Kinch.
Klink stepped closer to hear what had happened. It wasn't like his prisoners to fight without a good reason.
Knowing he couldn't say what he needed to in front of Klink, Kinch glanced at Klink then back to Hogan. Hogan picked up on the hint. "Get the hell out of here, Kommandant. I'll handle this.
Taken back at Hogan's tone of voice, Klink nodded. "You better or I will. I expect men to be punished for this."
Once they were alone, Kinch began. "We know what Hochstetter gave you. We knew if we didn't do something, there was a good chance you would have a setback." Kinch held up a piece of chocolate and a cub of water.
Hogan knocked the offered items away. "Not hungry. I want everyone to break it up. No more fighting. The next person I catch fighting, I'll personally throw in the cooler for two weeks." Hogan pushed past his men and hurried to the barracks. Right now, the last thing he wanted to do was be around people. Discreetly, he patted his pocket containing the gift Hochstetter gave him and smiled.
1 Episode 22 The Pizza Parlor
