Chapter 7: The Longest Hour

Saunders found it difficult to relax knowing that the man intent on revealing Hogan's operation sat on the opposite end of the couch from her. She managed to pass it off as his being an SS officer, and the SS was not a friendly organization. Occasionally LeBeau would interrupt to discuss menu options or brag as only a Frenchman could about the menu fare. It reassured her that she was not alone.

Somehow, the man's German greatly improved. It was a mystery how that could be possible in just a few hours. Then Saunders realized she was being ridiculous. The man simply did not want Klink to realize he was the same one who was making the strange telephone calls. Klink was fooled.

"I am surprised at how well you are doing," said Klink as he returned with a bottle of schnapps.

Christopher said, "There are advantages to proving one's loyalties to the Fatherland."

Klink served the schnapps and said, "I prefer humble service."

Christopher said, "Ach, the car was a gift – one that I could not refuse lest Himmler be insulted. You are right. It is too generous. Perhaps I have forgotten modest ways. It is good that I came to see you."

Klink said, "What has it been? Fifteen – no, twenty years."

"At least," said Christopher. "Fraulein, you are able to keep up with the conversation, no?"

Saunders said, "I'm fluent."

Christopher asked, "How did you achieve such fluency?"

Saunders said, "I am an Army nurse. For over twenty five years I've nursed wounded soldiers of all sorts of nationalities and loyalties. I had basic conversational skill when I first arrived here ten months ago but being immersed in the language because of the guards and such, well, it's a survival necessity."

Klink asked, "What about our conversations?"

Saunders smiled, "That's a small pleasure in the middle of a horrible war." She saw LeBeau at the doorway rolling his eyes. She did not think the comment was too flattering but LeBeau failed to approve.

LeBeau said, "Kommandant, I should like to go to the wine cellar to make a selection."

"Of course," said Klink. "Schultz, take the Cockroach." Schultz dutifully complied.

Christopher said, "Yes, I did not expect to find you here. Wilhelm, she is a pretty woman. I think, however, that she is a spy."

Klink laughed, "I know. I've heard the rumors myself. She is just a nurse."

Saunders exclaimed, "Just a nurse?"

As Klink hemmed and hawed, Christopher laughed, "Oh, she is more than just a nurse, of that we can be most certain. Women are not housed in POW camps."

Klink shuddered, "Ravensbruck is a terrible place for a gentle soul such as her."

"I see," said Christopher. He began patting his jacket and said, "Ah, I seem to have forgotten my cigars."

"I have some. I'll be right back," said Klink. He left the room.

Christopher asked, "Who are you? Really. You're not in any of the historical documents. You don't belong here."

Saunders stiffly said, "Maria Saunders, lieutenant colonel, serial number N-731626. That satisfies the Geneva Convention."

Christopher grabbed her arm and said, "There is more to you than meets the eye. Who sent you? Was it Starfleet Command?"

Saunders felt an immediate dread. That was a strange comment Carlisle used right before he died. She asked, "Who are you?"

Christopher released her arm and said, "Someone who is going to correct a mistake. Wilhelm is quite taken with you. That explains many things. I know what really goes on here. I know that you are not supposed to be here. Who sent you?"

Saunders said, "It was supposed to be a routine mission, rescuing wounded men. They shot down our Gooney Bird. I barely escaped with my life."

Christopher laughed, "You're going to play this through." He changed his tone to something more dark and sinister, "Somehow, you ingratiated yourself on Colonel Hogan. You keep Wilhelm distracted from knowing about the tunnels and the sabotage. You're in my way."

Saunders said, "You're positively mad."

"Perhaps I should send you away," said Christopher. He grabbed her by one wrist, then the other. He said, "It isn't here. They're always in the wrists. Where is your subcutaneous transponder?" Saunders looked very confused. Christopher continued, "You really don't know what I'm talking about, do you? You're not from the Twenty Third Century."

Saunders asked, "The what?"

Christopher bore a look of utter astonishment and backed away. His mind struggled to comprehend what was happening. He studied everything. He knew every detail. He knew all the players involved in his ancestor's downfall. How did he miss this woman sitting in front of him? Were the records incomplete?

When the camp's liberation was imminent, Klink did not destroy the evidence as ordered by Berlin. Christopher did not fault him for that. Many POW commanders refused to execute their prisoners during the evacuations. Concentrate – think – what did he miss? He saw a series of flashes. He remembered one picture after the camp liberation. Yes, there was a nurse. He never imagined she was a prisoner. He overlooked it, assuming she arrived with the liberation forces.

Klink arrived in an excellent mood and said, "I hope these are to your liking, Gerhardt."

Saunders stood and said, "I'm feeling a little tired. If you'll excuse me."

Klink sulked, "Please stay."

Saunders said, "Now, now, Herr Kommandant – I realize gentlemen prefer sharing their cigars with other gentlemen."

Klink smiled, "Of course. I shall see you at dinner."

Saunders grabbed her cape and exited the room as casually as she could muster. Once free of the room, she hurried to Barracks 2. She sat down at the table, still shaking from the strange conversation. Wilson handed her a cup of coffee as Hogan came out of his room.

Hogan asked, "Are you alright?"

"That man is absolutely completely bonkers," said Saunders. "Colonel Klink expects me back for dinner but I don't know if I can. Cousin Gerhardt is mad. The way he touched me…"

Hogan said, "I think we all know he's not Klink's cousin." Then he asked, "What are they doing now?"

Saunders replied, "Smoking cigars. Colonel, he's dangerous. He accused me of deliberately distracting the Kommandant from finding out about the tunnels. He kept asking who sent me. He said I wasn't supposed to be here."

Hogan said, "Well of course you're not supposed to be here but you are." He offered her a cigarette and continued, "We have to get rid of him."

Saunders took a cigarette and Hogan offered a light. She took a long drag and exhaled slowly. She said, "Be careful. There's something wrong with him. He's dangerous."

Hogan asked, "How did Klink react when Gerhardt talked about the tunnels?"

Saunders said, "He didn't mention them when Klink was in the room."

Hogan stood akimbo and said, "Tell me everything that happened." He carefully listened as Saunders explained the various conversations. Gerhardt knew many things that convinced Klink he was his cousin, laughing at the times, knowing the childhood stories, and even understanding that Klink's career was stalled. He wanted to help Klink with his career.

Then he tried to make sense of the strange conversation when Klink was out of the room. Hogan struggled to understand what Gerhardt meant with the phrase subcutaneous transponder. The Allies used the Mark III system, still a relatively new transponder system born out of the necessity of war to prevent calamities due to radar misinterpretations. Had Gerhardt unintentionally revealed knowledge of experimental technology? Did it alleviate issues of squawking and strangling the parrot?

The conversation took strange twists and turns. Gerhardt mentioned Starfleet Command, something Carlisle also mentioned. He asked who sent her because she was not mentioned in the historical documents. Then he conceded she was not from the Twenty Third Century.

Olsen said, "New arrivals. Oh joy, it's Collins. He's got a couple of civilians with him."

Hogan went to window and said, "Nice disguises. I almost didn't recognize the sailors."

Wilson said, "Wonder what he's planning."

"Let's have a listen," said Hogan as he headed to his office. "Wait, here comes Langenscheidt."

Olsen said, "The harbinger of bad news."

The men managed to act casual as Langenscheidt arrived. He said, "Colonel Hogan, the doctor from the Red Cross wishes to see you."

"Okay," said Hogan, slightly amused with the cover story of the sailors. He said nothing as Saunders joined him. Langenscheidt indicated to go to the infirmary. He continued in escort until Collins dismissed him.

Hogan was about to reciprocate the black eye but Saunders stood between the two men and said, "Play nice, gentlemen."

Collins said, "If it's any consolation, I really am sorry, but I had to make it look good."

Hogan scowled, "Thanks a lot. You – there's something you're not telling us. Your boy in there is chumming it up with Colonel Klink. They're smoking cigars and guzzling down the schnapps."

Kirk said, "He's intent on turning Colonel Klink into a hero."

Hogan said, "I suppose that has something to do with intimations of secret technology like the subcutaneous transponder?" He watched as Kirk furrowed his brow. He continued, "Don't play me. He seemed to think someone sent Florence here. Told her there was no mention of her in the historical documents. Said something about the Twenty Third Century."

Kirk sighed, "Alright. You're not going to believe me."

Hogan approached Kirk and said, "Try me."

Kirk said, "We're not in the Navy nor are we with any secret government project. We're from the future. Captain Christopher traveled back in time to restore honor to the Klink family. We're here to stop him." He looked at the three people who decided to share a hearty laugh.

McCoy said, "So much for telling the truth."

Kirk said, "If he exposes your operation, you'll die now instead of making it through this war."

Hogan said, "I see. How can I know you're from the future? It's a difficult truth to prove."

Kirk shrugged, "I see your point. If Christopher succeeds, you've no idea how many billions of people will be affected. You're right. I can't prove to you what I'm saying. What did he say about the subcutaneous transponder?"

Hogan said, "Oh, so you're curious about Kraut technology?"

Saunders said, "Really, Colonel!" She walked up to Kirk and grabbed his wrist. She continued, "He said it was always placed in one of the wrists. Wait a minute. What's this?" She felt something tiny yet hard.

Kirk pulled away his wrist and said, "It's not Kraut technology."

Collins said, "They're all crazy. We're caught up in some delusional war."

Hogan said, "Yeah, well their crazy is about to end with me in front of a firing squad."

Kirk said, "Not if I can help it. You…" He did not get to complete his sentence. He realized when Saunders felt the subcutaneous transponder she must have accidentally activated the emergency recall mechanism. He stood on the transporter platform and said, "Beam me back down now!"

"Yes sir," said Scotty.

When he materialized back in the infirmary, Kirk saw Collins holding a weapon against McCoy's temple while Hogan shielded Saunders. He said, "Whoops. That's what a subcutaneous transponder is for. It has an emergency recall feature. She accidentally activated it."

McCoy quietly said, "Thanks for coming back."

Hogan stammered, "How'd you do that?"

Kirk said, "We really are from the future. Christopher is about to change history and not for the better. He's studied all the historical records and he knows what happens. I have to stop him."

Hogan said, "Collins, lower your weapon. Alright, sailor. You've got my attention."

Kirk asked, "Did he tell Klink about the tunnels?"

"Not yet," said Hogan.

Saunders said, "He seems to be earning his trust."

Kirk said, "He'll do it soon, I'm sure. We've got to incapacitate him and get him out of here in such a way that Colonel Klink doesn't overreact."

Hogan said, "Florence, get me the knock out drops."

Saunders went to a supply drawer and pulled out the bandaging supplies. Then she carefully lifted a false bottom, retrieved a bottle of pills, and handed it to Collins who handed it to Hogan. She replaced the false bottom and bandages.

Hogan said, "Alright, they've been downing the schnapps the last couple of hours. We make our move at dinner." He poured out some of the pills from the bottle and handed them to Saunders. He said, "Make sure LeBeau gets these. He can add them to the wine while it's breathing. I'll need you at that dinner."

Saunders said, "You want me to drink that wine too?"

"If you refuse, you'll tip our hand," said Hogan.

Saunders said, "But, Colonel! If I'm completely knocked out…"

"No one will take advantage," Hogan sternly said. "You're the distraction, remember? Colonel – Maria, I don't ask much of you. Please?"

Saunders sighed, "Alright, but this is going to cost you more than a couple of bars of chocolate."

Collins said, "I promise that I'll take you to the Gasthaus on Klingenstrasse in Rothenburg."

Saunders coyly said, "Oh really? I think I'd rather go to the Gasthaus on Klingenstrasse in Schaffhausen."

Collins said, "Switzerland?"

Hogan said, "Knock it off. We're in the middle of a war."

Kirk and McCoy looked at each other. Kirk said, "Klingon Strasse?" McCoy merely shrugged.

Collins said, "Alright, we'd better get going but we'll be back once I hide the car in the woods."

Hogan and Saunders returned to Barracks 2 while Collins, Kirk, and McCoy left in the car. Hogan felt a major headache. When did it become such a complicated war? First, it was little green men. Now, it was men from the future. While the strangers knew things, Hogan suspected they would not answer any questions.

Hogan remembered what Kirk said: that he is supposed to survive the war. However, he realized Kirk failed to say who wins the war. Was that a sign of things to come? No. He refused to accept a Nazi victory. He only accepted the possibility of Kirk's claim because he saw the man vanish and then reappear in front of his very eyes.

Schultz arrived and said, "Ah, Fraulein, you are as lovely as the Weiße Rose."

Hogan said, "Must be dinner time."

Saunders said, "I'm sure Louis has done a magnificent job. Maybe this time he'll stick around for the Kommandant's violin solo."

Schultz said, "Not if he's lucky."

After she left, Hogan went into his office. He remembered something else. Gerhardt, or rather Christopher, said she was not supposed to be there. Kirk said he studied all the historical records. For some reason, Christopher told Saunders she was not supposed to be there. Was she slated to die?

A knock on the door revealed Collins' return with the two sailors. No – they were not sailors. Hogan could not tell his men. This secret was too important. He asked, "Who wins the war?"

Kirk sighed, "I can't tell you. If you know with certainty, that could alter your decision making process. You could end up changing history inadvertently."

Hogan said, "I see. Well, I'm going to go with us winning the war. After all, Christopher wants to turn Klink into a war hero. That's got to say something. Does she survive? He told her she wasn't supposed to be here."

Kirk said, "I really don't know. I hope so."

Hogan said, "The Krauts are murdering thousands of people."

McCoy said, "It's not a good moment in humanity's history."

Hogan said, "They'll be serving dinner very soon."

"Don't go soft," snapped Collins.

"Careful," said Hogan as he stood. "Your unit screwed up and because of that she's stuck here. She's in there doing her job."

Collins said, "I know she's scared."

Hogan said, "What's not to be afraid of? Christopher's trying to get us all shot. Into the tunnels. Once they drop, we have work to do."

Kirk asked, "How long for those pills to take effect?"

"Pretty fast," said Hogan.