Chapter 7:

Disclaimer: I don't own it and so on...

Sorry, I was busy, but I am trying to update as fast as possible.

Beta read by Tiny1217. Thanks for that, you are doing a wonderful job.

Any remaining mistakes are of course my own.

Enjoy!

The next two days the two Colonels spent every spare minute inside Colonel Hogan's office, developing, discussing and improving their plan. In that time nobody else was allowed in there.

Murdock was confined to his bed, after he had taken a walk with Billy and gotten stuck in a rabbit hole with his hurt leg.

Hannibal's annoyed and Hogan's doubting look had made him take the confinement very serious. The message - "Do that again and you won't take part in the mission" - though unspoken was very clear. Murdock knew very well, that there were many pilots in the Stalag to replace him. Murdock also knew he would never trust any of them with his team.

At least Billy didn't have to share his confinement. Carter had volunteered to take the invisible dog for walks.

Face was doing his best to keep his buddy occupied, but the pilot was getting antsy. It was a real relief, when, after two days, Hannibal told him they needed him and asked him, if he felt up to it. Murdock let out a little whoop and nodded vigorously. Hannibal smiled a little at the pilot's enthusiasm. There was no denying he was very proud of his team.

"Good," Hannibal replied. Then he ordered: "Face get BA, we meet in ten minutes in the Colonel's office."

At the same time Colonel Hogan gathered his core team.

A few minutes later Murdock entered the office with Newkirk, Face and Carter. Shortly after BA, Kinch and LeBeau arrived too and they were able to start the meeting.

"Alright, you are here because Hannibal and I have thought of a plan and it is about time we tell you about it," Hogan began.

"The message Face and Newkirk 'found' in Klink's office said that the scientists are due to meet in eight days. Their meeting will take place at the empty Gestapo office in the woods near our Stalag. The shed was once an important labor, before they built the Stalag, so that would be how they know about it. A few Gestapo officers will also be present, they are to buy the weapon and help the scientists transport it, should they come to an agreement. Sadly we weren't able to find out the exact time of the meeting."

Sergeant Kinchloe nodded along. This wasn't new to him; after all, he had helped decode the message. The others, however, listened eagerly.

"How do you know it isn't a trap?", Face asked. "Why would they send such an important message to a third class Colonel?"

"Well, he has a 'no-escape record'," Carter put in, not liking the implied criticism on Colonel Hogan.

He was ignored.

"They didn't," Hannibal replied simply.

"They told him, to keep the prisoners especially occupied and don't send them into the woods to work. Also the letter told him there was a special and secret training for young Gestapo officers at the empty office, so he should keep his own men away. Knowing what we know it is a safe guess that's where and when the meeting will take place," Hogan explained.

The young Lieutenant nodded satisfied.

"Alright, as you know our mission is to find out about this weapon and get the scientists to England – alive", Colonel Hogan continued. "We need to plant listening devices in the office before the Gestapo starts to observe every millimeter of it. Tonight Hannibal and I will go and take a look at the office, so we can complete our plan. BA, Kinch and Carter, you will come with us. We need you to plant the technique and the weapons in a way the German won't find it."

"Yes, boy, uh Colonel!", Carter replied. Kinch and BA nodded seriously.

"We will also need a helicopter", Hannibal told them further. "Face, Newkirk and Murdock, see that you get one. You will go out the day after tomorrow."

Murdock's eyes lit up.

"Won't a helicopter be a tad obvious?", Newkirk asked.

"Yes", Hogan told him bluntly.

"We will use it to get the Gestapo out of their hidings. Also, we will need a quick way to transport the scientists to the underground," Hannibal explained.

"Where shall we get a chopper, Colonel?" Face asked. "And more important: where do we hide one?"

"Don't worry none, I will let it sleep in my bed. If Billy and I move aside a bit, it will fit just fine, even though it might get a bit cozy", Murdock chimed in.

Face rolled his eyes and BA growled. Colonel Hogan's team had gotten so used to the pilot's antics, that they didn't react at all.

"Very considerate, Captain," Hannibal praised. "But that won't be necessary. I am sure Face will think of something. Or have you lost your touch, Lieutenant?"

Face's eyes narrowed, but he didn't reply.

"What about me, mon Colonel?", LeBeau spoke up, feeling left out.

"Well, Louis," Colonel Hogan began, as he put his arm around the smaller man's shoulder. "You will have to be our ears in the camp. I need you to find out what Schultz knows. He might be able to hint to us if there is a change of plans."

"I am going to bake an Apfelstrudel right away, mon Colonel," the Frenchman promised.

"Good," Hogan replied. "All of us should prepare now. BA, Kinch, and Carter, you get some sleep, we start right after evening roll call. Newkirk you will be in charge, while we are away."

Neither Murdock nor Face (who both had a higher rank than the corporal) protested. They had come to respect the Englishman.

After that all of them went on their own separate ways again. Those who were going for the evening stroll went to bed and LeBeau went to the kitchen. Face and Newkirk made their plans at Murdock's bedside. This way they could include the pilot and keep him in bed. He still needed his rest.

Soon the evening neared. After roll call Colonel Hogan led the little expedition party through one of the escape tunnels. They entered the forest carefully, still they moved quickly through the trees. Each of them was wearing a backpack with the things they would need. After an hour or so they finally reached their destination. They were lucky, there weren't any Gestapo officers yet, even though a car had been there not long ago.

The two Colonels entered the old office first, carefully checking every perimeter of it for enemies or even cameras and microphones. It took them some time to find their way through the pitch black rooms, but they didn't dare light their torches, until they were sure they were alone and unwatched.

Finally they finished their tour. Satisfied they weren't watched, Hannibal and Hogan lit their torches and bid the rest of their little expedition team inside.

"Kinch," Colonel Hogan ordered. "We need a bug in every one of the rooms, put two in the conference room and the kitchen."

Sergeant Kinchloe nodded and set to work.

"BA, Carter, plant distraction devises in the kitchen, in the toilets and beside the front door. I want smoke bombs in the conference room and on the floors", Hannibal told them.

Carter and BA followed Kinch inside.

While they were inside, the Colonels stood watch outside. The two of them also used the time to improve their plan.

It took some time until the rest of the team got back out. When they did, it was their turn to stand guard. The two Colonels now went back inside to search for the bugs and the weapons. They checked every corner twice. After quite some time the Colonels got back out.

The three remaining soldiers looked at them expectantly.

Hogan grinned at them: "Well done, we didn't find a thing."

There was already a small pink edge on the horizon, when Hogan, Hannibal and their men finally were on the way back.

Shortly before roll call they arrived at camp, already anxiously awaited by Newkirk and Murdock.

Both of them looked like they hadn't slept much either.

Having the responsibility for the camp kept Newkirk awake most of the night. He had worried what would happen should Klink order a surprise roll call in the night or if the 'prisoners' weren't back before the actual roll call. Whenever he was left in charge he feared that he would mess up and reveal their secret. The secret Colonel Hogan seemed to keep with such an ease.

Murdock however worried about his friends like he always did when he was left behind. He knew Face would have had a bad night too.

So at roll call there were not only five, but eight half awake soldiers standing in the row. To make matters worse Klink seemed to have planned out a speech.

"Here we go," Hogan thought sarcastically, while he tried not to fall asleep standing, keep his eyes open and his annoyance from showing. Awfully much to do for a half asleep brain...

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