Carter, Kurt and Hans were hiding behind the fence. They were impatiently counting the minutes, when they simultaneously saw the windows light up, and the guards abandon their posts and head into the building. A stunned Carter had to stop himself from yelling.

"It's a trap!" Hans was looking through the binoculars.

"What now?" Kurt looked over at Carter, who was trying not to panic.

"We wait, for now," he decided. "Let's see what happens when they come out."

"What if they don't come out?" Kurt whispered.

"We could go for back-up," Hans suggested.

Carter thought for a moment. "No, that would take too long. There are three of us, six guards and who knows how many Germans inside. Suicide."

"Stop where you are and drop your weapons. You're surrounded." The voice came from behind Hogan. He and his men heard a click. Newkirk and LeBeau looked at their C.O. He nodded and dropped his pistol. They did the same.

"Turn around. Hands up," the voice barked in German. The three turned and stood face to face with an SS officer and several soldiers. The guards who had been patrolling outside had also entered the building. "Well, now," the officer walked down the line, looking at his captives. "We set a trap and the Underground took the bait. Excellent. What are your names?" His query was met by silence. "Never mind. We'll get them."

Carter, Hans and Kurt watched as Hogan, Newkirk and LeBeau, their hands bound, were marched out of the building. The Sergeant assessed that the odds weren't so good and quickly made an executive decision. "Hans, run back to the farmhouse and radio our camp. Tell them what happened." Thank God it's not Hochstetter, Carter realized. "Tell them it's SS. We'll try and follow them." Hans took off, while Carter and Kurt made themselves as small as possible and watched.

Hogan was grateful for two things. They had left their dog tags back at camp, and Carter and the two agents were safe; probably observing this whole sorry scenario. Otherwise, he was hopping mad and scared at the same time. Mad that he had taken two men with him into a trap, and scared for them, and himself, for that matter. The three of them were then shoved into a truck.

"Is there another car?" Carter asked. Kurt quickly checked and shook his head. "They probably took them to SS headquarters. Let's go."

********

"Benjamin! I see it." Both officers had noticed a life sign quickly heading towards them.

"Come on," he ordered. They both slipped behind a group of trees and watched as a man clad in black ran towards the farmhouse that was behind them.

"That can't be good," Dax noted.

"Lets keep moving." Sisko said.

********

Kinch and Baker were immersed in their chess game when the radio came to life. Kinch hurried over to the receiver and answered the call. A few moments later, he and Baker were waking up the rest of the barracks.

Kurt and Carter showed up at the farmhouse shortly after Hans. They filled him in and alerted other units to check the SS building for signs of the truck. A dejected Carter then left and started to make his way back to camp.

For some reason, Wilson was still restless and decided to head down below to wait with Kinch and Baker. He let Bashir and O'Brien come along with him and they eagerly followed the medic through the barracks entrance towards the radio room, which was now crowded with at least half the residents of Barracks two.

"What's wrong?" Wilson immediately asked.

"We got a call from the Underground," Baker answered. "It was a trap. The SS got the Colonel, Newkirk and LeBeau. Carter and the two agents were outside. Carter's on his way back. They took the three out in a truck. That's all we know."

Bashir and O'Brien, unsure of how to proceed in this situation, watched quietly. Obviously, they had nothing to do with the trap, so it must have occurred. They looked at each other and stepped aside. Kinch noticed them standing there and ordered them back to their barracks. "Abrams, see that they get there."

The men in their hut were asleep and unaware of the ongoing drama, so the two of them were able to talk without being overheard. O'Brien was itching to get involved, Julian could tell. "We can't do anything about it," he warned the chief. "They'll handle this on their own. Besides, we'll get in the way."

"We don't even know how this ends. Damn, I want those badges." O'Brien had not seen them since Hogan had confiscated them. He knew Carter and Kinch had been studying them, but they hadn't discovered how they worked. Had they taken them apart? Possibly. When asked, O'Brien had claimed secrecy and refused to talk. Knowing that the transporters were down also frustrated the engineer. He assumed all of the personnel were working on the problem, but intuitively knew that they missed his expertise.

"You know, Sisko may decide to send down the shuttle," Julian thought.

"And hide it how?"

"No; land it, have it leave, come after us, then rendezvous with it."

O'Brien agreed with the logic. "We should assume then, that he and maybe Dax or Kira are down here somewhere. They know where we are, so I bet they're possibly on the way." Half secure in that thought, but still worried about their newfound comrades, O'Brien and Bashir turned in for a few hours of restless sleep.

********

Dax and Sisko eventually reached the outskirts of the Stalag and set up a reconnaissance position in the woods. Shortly afterwards, they observed a young man, clad in black, open up a tree stump and disappear below ground.

"Interesting," Sisko commented.

"What, the tree stump?" Dax responded.

"Yes, we now have an entrance, but that's another one in black. They were out on a mission. There was the one at the farmhouse," Sisko reminded her. "Now, our next step is figuring out how we're going in and getting our men out." He looked at his tricorder. "I'm picking up the badges, but we know they've been separated from them." Nothing had been received from Bashir of O'Brien since the last conversation.

********

Carter hastily stepped off the ladder and quickly gave a report. "I thought about going in, but it would have been suicide. There were nine of them and three of us."

"You did the right thing," Kinch reassured them. "We've got to figure out how to get them out of SS headquarters."

"You confirmed the truck showed up there?" Carter asked.

"We're waiting for confirmation, but for now we're assuming that's where they are," Kinch said.

"Why the SS, Kinch?" LeBeau wondered. "The Gestapo usually goes after the Underground."

"Who knows? Internal squabble, orders from above. The Gestapo hasn't been too successful around here."

"Man," Carter said. "At least it wasn't Hochstetter. We'd all be dead by now."

Baker poked his head in. "The truck stopped at SS headquarters. They've entered the building."

"Good," Kinch replied as he grabbed a blueprint. "Let's decide on our next move."

*******

The three men hadn't exchanged a word on the short ride into Hammelburg. They were seated next to one another on a bench up against the side, while three armed guards sat facing them. Newkirk had been attempting to get free, while LeBeau was silently reminding himself to speak only in German.

"Let's go." The guards prodded the three and pushed them into the building. The SS officer that had captured them spoke briefly to the officer at reception and then headed towards the basement. A guard unlocked the cell and Hogan, Newkirk and LeBeau were thrown in.

"I will be back," the officer informed them. The guard untied their hands and closed the door. Hogan said nothing, but silently motioned for the others to check for bugs. After finding several, he sat down on the bench, grabbed Newkirk's hand and tapped out a quick message in Morse code. 'Make up a name.' Newkirk nodded. Hogan did the same with LeBeau and added, 'hold out until rescue.'

Kinch and Carter decided to send men disguised as Gestapo and infiltrate SS headquarters. Kinch was sure he could bribe Schultz to not report the missing men, so plans were made to leave after morning roll call. Carter and Olsen would borrow a truck and meet up with Hans and Kurt outside town.

Dax and Sisko watched as Carter and Olsen left the tunnel that morning. "Look at that," Sisko said. "They're going out as Gestapo. This might be a good time to head in," he noted. "They may be preoccupied."

"What, just waltz in through the tunnel and say, excuse me, we're looking for two stranded federation citizens?"

Sisko gave Dax a look. "Actually, yes!"

"Benjamin!"

"Dax, we can't just walk in through the front gates and ask for their release. For all we know, they're hiding in the tunnels."

"And as soon as we step off the ladder, Benjamin, well, I hope those men aren't trigger-happy."

"That's why you're going first, Dax." Sisko smiled.

"I see."

*********

That morning, the SS officer who arrested Hogan, Newkirk and LeBeau, presented himself at their cell, and introduced himself as Major Stroehmann. This one's the leader, he thought, correctly identifying Colonel Hogan. Again he asked for names and again was rewarded by silence. "Very well…"

"I thought this was the Gestapo's job," Hogan broke in.

"The Gestapo has been next to useless in this jurisdiction. Sabotage is out of control. The Underground leader, Papa Bear, is still at large. I decided to have a try at catching some of you," Stroehmann laughed. "I succeeded." After eyeballing the trio, Stroehmann made his decision. "I'll start with you." He pointed at LeBeau. "Guard, bring this one to my office."

The guard grabbed LeBeau's arm and hauled him down the hall to the major's office, shoving him unceremoniously into a chair when they got there. Stroehmann walked up and leaned against his desk, facing the Frenchman.

"What's your name?"

LeBeau answered with a pre-arranged pseudonym.

"Good." Stroehmann wrote it down, although he assumed it was made up. "Give me the name of your cell leader."

LeBeau remained quiet.

"Where is your safe house? Your radio? Do you know Papa Bear?" Stroehmann kept pressing.

"No." LeBeau finally answered. "We're on our own."

"I don't believe you. You all answer to someone."

"It's just us. No one else is involved." LeBeau went flying out of the chair as Stroehmann struck him, hard.

"Take this one back," he said to the guard. "Bring me another one." The guard shoved LeBeau back into the cell and grabbed Newkirk. Hogan rushed over to Louis.

"Hold still. Let me check you out," he said quietly in German.

"I'm okay," LeBeau replied. He gingerly rolled over and got to his feet. "He's fishing for now," he reported.

The same game was played with Newkirk and he suffered the same consequences, a minor beating and then a rough toss into the cell. It was now Hogan's turn to face the SS major.

"You are the team leader," he stated. "Tell me what I want to know and I'll let your men live."

"I have nothing to say." Hogan replied.

Stroehmann continued. "Let's continue with your name, your contact, safe house, other sabotage missions."

********

Carter and Olsen boldly entered SS headquarters and walked right over to the officer at reception. "We have orders to retrieve three prisoners captured last night at an abandoned canning factory." Carter stated in his most authoritative voice. The SS officer eyed the Gestapo agents suspiciously.

"Well?" Carter said impatiently.

"Those are Major Stroehmann's prisoners." The officer on duty decided it was best to let someone else deal with the Gestapo and jurisdiction issues.

"Then I suggest you contact him," Olsen sneered.

The OD picked up a phone and briefly spoke afterwards. "I notified his aide," he told Carter and Olsen. "Wait here."

An aide knocked and opened the door to Stroehmann's office. "Excuse me, Major, but two Gestapo agents are downstairs. They claim they have orders to have the new prisoners turned over to them."

Hogan, who was now bleeding in several places and thought Stroehmann may have broken his ribs during his questioning, felt his spirits lift. It had to be Carter down there negotiating for his release. He and his men might get out of this mess with only minor injuries.

Annoyed, the major told the guard to put Hogan back in the cell, while he dealt with the Gestapo.

LeBeau and Newkirk quickly went over to check on Hogan, as soon as he was tossed into the cell. They sat him on the bench and started to wipe away the blood oozing from his mouth. Waving them off, Hogan informed them about the Gestapo agents and then grabbed his side.

Carter and Stroehmann were having a heated argument in the lobby of SS headquarters.

"The Underground is the Gestapo's responsibility," Carter emphasized the word Gestapo. "We have been trying to capture one of these cells for months, Major, and you are impeding our investigation."

"So far, you have nothing to show for your so-called investigations," Stroehmann retorted. "Berlin is getting impatient. The sabotage continues. We set the trap. The prisoners are mine," he insisted.

Carter toned down his voice. "I assure you, Major, that credit will be properly given to you, but our interrogation methods are more persuasive. What have the prisoners revealed so far? Anything?" Carter let out an internal sigh of relief at Stroehmann's silence. "I thought so."

"Perhaps we can get a look at these prisoners," Olsen suggested. "See if we recognize them, while we discuss who has authority."

"Yes," Carter echoed. "I would agree to that."

"Very well." Still angry and suspicious, Stroehmann led Carter and Olsen to the cells. "I've only started to question them," he explained. "We haven't had enough time to pressure them adequately for more answers." They entered the holding area and opened the cell where Hogan, Newkirk and LeBeau were imprisoned. They showed no reaction when they spotted Carter and Olsen.

"You! Get up!" Carter demanded as he pointed to Hogan. Hogan gingerly stood up and gave Carter an icy stare. Realizing Hogan was injured, Carter gulped, but quickly regained his composure. "What is your name?" Hogan spat on Carter's boots then sat back down. "I want these men now!" Carter ordered. "They'll wish they were dead by the time I'm finished…"

"Major!" Stroehmann interrupted. "I have not completed my questioning. I will not release them. I will be calling Major Hochstetter personally to complain."

"I strongly suggest you not bother the major because of this scum," Carter quickly said, as he pointed to the three.

Hochstetter. Stroehmann despised the head of the local Gestapo office. The man was worthless. The amount of sabotage in the area had actually increased on his watch and he had yet to come close to catching the elusive Papa Bear. Not only that, but Stroehmann had heard that Hochstetter was fixated on an American Colonel held as a prisoner at the local POW camp. Jokes about that sometimes made the rounds at the local beer houses. The Gestapo agent was correct, however. It wouldn't do to bother the major over three prisoners and incur a taste of his notorious temper. But these were his prisoners that were caught in his trap and he was determined not to let them go. "I will not call the major now," Stroehmann announced, "But you cannot take these prisoners until I verify the order. You will have to wait."

Carter and Olsen were trying not to panic. In their experience, written orders were usually obeyed. "Very well, but I would like to question these three now." Carter pretended to give in.

Stroehmann, thinking he had won a small victory, agreed, but only if he was allowed to witness the session.

"I want them all together," Carter announced. "It's more effective that way. Is there a place we can take them? This won't do."

"My office," Stroehmann said. "Guards, bring the prisoners. Let's go."

Carter looked at Olsen and made a small motion towards his gun. Olsen nodded in understanding. Hogan also noticed Carter's move. Per regulations, prisoners were required to have their hands cuffed or bound while being moved through the building and Carter was counting on this as a way to get the guard into the cell. The three prisoners moved towards the door. It was solid, and once closed, anyone on the outside would have no idea what was occurring within.

Carter removed his pistol and waved it at Hogan. "You there. Turn around. Schnell." Olsen, as well, removed his weapon. The guard, now with his back turned, headed for the three. In a quick motion, Carter shut the door and pointed his gun at the major while Olsen jumped the guard. Hogan, Newkirk and LeBeau turned and finished the job. "These are my prisoners, Major. Turn around." Carter hit the SS officer, who fell unconscious onto the floor. "I think we'll march you all out of here, Sir."

Hogan was for once, speechless. "Good plan," was all he could say.

"The cuffs?" Olsen had picked them up.

"No. Use the rope." Hogan suggested. "Easier for us to get loose." Carter and Olsen quickly tied a loose knot around the hands of their prisoners and the five nervously walked out of the building.