Chapter 7: Confrontation

Hogan closed his eyes, hoping he was only dreaming. When he opened them, Major Hochstetter still had Tom kneeling on the ground in front of him with a gun pointed at his head.

"So what did you do to my men to get them to tell you how to get down here? Are they still alive?" asked Hogan.

"What men? I haven't done anything to anyone today," confessed Hochstetter. "I've always known how to get down here. As a matter of fact, I've been down here since shortly after I left camp this morning. Have a seat Hogan and I'll explain. Keep your hands where I can see them."

Hogan did as ordered. "I guess you're happy knowing you were right all along. What's going to happen now? Are you going to shoot me or arrest me?"

"Neither. I know this is hard to believe. I'm Kewpie," said Hochstetter.

Hogan stared blankly at Hochstetter. His suspicion of Hochstetter being Kewpie was confirmed. "That doesn't tell me anything."

"After London received confirmation about Case Green and their two original spies were captured and killed, since I was already stationed in Germany, they asked me to take over their mission and give them updates on Hitler's movements. I was ordered to do whatever it took to maintain my cover," said Hochstetter.

"Likely story," said Hogan.

"After you started your operation here, I was ordered to keep an eye on you to make sure you weren't discovered," continued Hochstetter.

"You have a funny way of carrying out that order. If you were here to protect me and the operation, why did you go out of your way torturing me to confess to being Papa Bear?" asked Hogan in disgust.

"Have you ever heard the story of the boy who cried wolf?" asked Hochstetter.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?" answered Hogan.

"I figured if I 'cried wolf' enough times, or in your case Papa Bear, when there was real evidence, they would not believe it. True, I didn't have to go as far as I did. Maybe I should have done things different. I had orders to follow, and I carried them out the way I thought was best. Besides, who would believe I was working for the allies if I tried to catch the one person who was single-handedly helping the allies achieve victory," said Hochstetter.

"You really expect me to believe that?" asked Hogan.

"I'm telling you the truth. Check out my cover if you don't believe me. Contact London and ask for Shooting Star. Give him security code Razorback," said Hochstetter.

"Why should I bother? Are you going to kill Colonel Hogan if I don't?" asked Hogan.

"You can drop the charade. I already know he's your older brother. I know everything about you including your mom's name is Mary and your dad's name is Edward, hence your middle name and your little sister's name is Lisa. They live in Black Rock, Connecticut, just outside of Bridgeport. Shall I keep going?" Hogan shook his head. "No, I'm not planning on shooting Tom. I needed your attention and this was the easiest way for me to get you to listen to me. Thanks to my meeting with you, the Gestapo is close to uncovering my identity. I need you to get me out of Germany," said Hochstetter.

Hogan stared at the gun pointing at Tom's head. Could Hochstetter be telling the truth? Truth or not, orders or not, he wasn't in the forgiving mood. "Your words mean a lot when you have a gun pointed at someone's head."

"I don't blame you for not wanting to help me. I don't blame you for hating me. I don't ask for your forgiveness, because I know I don't deserve it. I'm only asking you for your help. My life is now in your hands." Hochstetter removed the gun from Tom's head. "Get out of here, Tom. This is between your brother and me."

Tom looked to Hogan with fear in his eyes. "You heard him Tom, get out of here."

"I'm not leaving you." Tom stood beside Hogan.

"Do as you're told and that's an order." If it was going to get messy down here, he didn't want to take the chance of Tom getting hurt.

After Tom left, Hochstetter set the gun on the ground and kicked it to Hogan. He slowly raised his hands in the air. "I'm unarmed and at your mercy."

Hogan kept his eyes on Hochstetter as he picked up the gun. Dozens of emotions flooded his mind. He could end all his troubles and put an end to the person who had caused him so much pain and grief. If this was a trap though, what was waiting topside? He might need Hochstetter as a hostage or bargaining chip.

Hogan relieved the gun of its bullets and threw them down the tunnel. Without another moment's hesitation, Hogan charged Hochstetter, knocking him to the ground. Blow after blow, Hogan released his fury upon Hochstetter. Hogan noticed Hochstetter wouldn't defend himself, but he figured it was his own stupidity.

Before Hogan could deliver another blow, Tom yanked Hogan off Hochstetter. "Let me go!"

"That's enough. Kinch, secure the prisoner. Colonel Hogan, this is no way to treat a prisoner," said Tom.

Hogan took a couple of deep breaths. "That never stopped him. Sir."

"That's true. We're supposed to be better than them. Remember the lessons Dad taught us about treating others?" said Tom

"When you or Dad have had to endure everything I have, then you can tell me what to do," said Hogan in disgust.

"I'm not asking you to forgive him or accept his story. I'm asking you treat him in accordance to the Geneva Convention and to check out his story," said Tom calmly.

Hogan paced. He stared at each of his men who had gathered in the tunnel to support him. "What's Shooting Star's real name?"

"General Mark Hammond," answered Hochstetter.

"I should've known. Kinch, keep an eye on our prisoner. I have a call to make. The rest of you go back to your barracks. Don't mention a word of this to anyone." Hogan went to the radio room to place the call.

HH HH HH

Hochstetter stared intently at the gun in Kinch's hand. Then he glanced at his face. It was evident on his face; he'd do anything to protect Hogan. The only thing keeping him alive at the moment was Hogan. How long would it last though?

He quickly turned his head toward the direction of the radio room when he heard Hogan talking to Shooting Star. I wonder why Hogan should've known it was him?

Kinch definitely knew what he was doing when it came to securing a prisoner. Every time he tried to adjust his position to be more comfortable, the tighter the ropes got.

Turning his head away from Kinch, Hochstetter spit some blood. Hogan had done a number on him. He didn't blame him though. What did Hogan just say to the General? After listening a little bit more, Hogan, no matter how upset you are you never tell a general to go and do that and especially in that language.

Hochstetter leaned his head back. Now he knew how Hogan felt when he finished with him. His face felt as if it was the size of a zeppelin. If Hogan lets me live through this, I'll owe him big time.

HH HH HH

"If you want to arrest me for insubordination, you know where to find me; come and get me." Hogan threw down the headphones.

General Hammond was the one who sent him and Lawrence on the mission in 1938. When they got back, he chewed their butts off for getting captured and almost killed. If it wasn't for some inside help, they would both be dead.

Ever since then, Hogan hadn't been able to stand him. Hammond mentioned he preferred Kewpie alive and unharmed. So much for unharmed. If it was up to me, I'd send him back in a box.

Hogan had managed to maintain his calm until he was ordered to put his differences aside and help Hochstetter get out of Germany. When Hammond told Hogan to shrug it off and accept it and told him he was only following orders and he shouldn't take it personally, Hogan lost his temper and told him how he felt. The language he used to express his feelings was quite colorful. If I'm lucky, about time I get to go home, General Hammond will have forgotten the whole conversation and I won't have to worry about the court-martial.

Hogan stood before Hochstetter. "What do you know about two of my men being captured?"

"I know nothing. I've been trying to avoid the Gestapo ever since I learned they knew Kewpie existed and he was someone in the Gestapo. If they haven't figured out it's me yet, they will soon," said Hochstetter.

"I need to get them out somehow." Hogan paced as he thought out loud.

"What mission were they on when arrested?" asked Hochstetter.

"Blowing up the secret convoy," Hogan answered flatly.

"Oh no! Colonel, that was above top secret. They'll stop at nothing until they get the information. Someone from Berlin is probable the only one who can order their release," said Hochstetter.

Hogan stopped pacing to stare at Hochstetter. "I don't believe it! It may work. Don't have much of a choice. Major, you want me to help you get out of Germany, I want my men free. You're going to help me do it."

"Colonel, you can't be serious trusting him?" said Kinch in amazement.

"How do you expect me to help you?" asked Hochstetter.

"I'm serious. Me and you are going to march into Gestapo HQ and escort my men out," said Hogan.

"Have you forgotten they're about to discover my identity. I go in there, I'm going to wish I was a dead man," said Hochstetter.

Hogan grabbed the gun from Kinch and put it Hochstetter's knee. "I'm not going to kill you, but I can cause you a lot of pain. Kinch find out how close they are to discovering Kewpies identity."

A short time later, Kinch returned after contacting their contact in the underground who worked as a janitor at Gestapo headquarters. "They've narrowed it down to someone in the Hammelberg Gestapo, but not who yet."

"Major, we're going to march in there, hand them transfer orders from Berlin and escort them out. I'll have a gun in my pocket pointed at you the entire time. You do anything funny and I'll kill you. At that point, I won't have anything to lose. If you're found out as being Kewpie while we are there, I'll kill you," said Hogan.

"Is there a way out of this that doesn't involve me getting killed?" asked Hochstetter.

"Yes. Don't give me a reason to kill you. Kinch, untie him so he can get cleaned up. Then work on the transfer documents signed by General Kinchmeyer. Put a call into Gestapo HQ informing them Major Hochstetter and his aid will be escorting the prisoners to Berlin. LeBeau, get the makeup case for any touchups," ordered Hogan.

"I'm not letting you waltz into Gestapo Headquarters with him without someone watching your back," said Tom.

"You can run the camp all you want, but this is my operation. I won't risk any more lives than I have to. If something happens to me, it'll be your operation. Until then, let me do my job." Without another word, Hogan pushed past Tom to the changing room.

Short time later, Hogan appeared in full Gestapo uniform and makeup. Tom was amazed. "Wow! If I didn't know who you were, I'd swear you were a Kraut."

"That's the whole idea. Now for transportation." Hogan went down the tunnel leading to Klink's private quarters. After listening for a few minutes to make sure Klink was alone, he entered the living room.

Klink must already be in bed. Hogan crept to Klink's bedroom. He quietly opened the door. There was Klink sound asleep. He crept up to Klink's bed. With speed of a cat, Hogan clamped his hand over Klink's mouth.

Startled, Klink tried to escape from his assailant. "Shhhhh. It's me," said Hogan in a whisper.

"Hogan! What on earth are you doing in my room at this time of night?" asked Klink.

"I need a small favor. I need you to order Schultz to drive a truck about a mile down the road and leave it. I promise, I'll try to return it in the morning," asked Hogan.

Klink sat up in bed and turned the light on next to him. Upon seeing Hogan in a Gestapo uniform, he quickly turned it off. "What happened to keeping me out of your operation?"

"Either you can do as I ask, or I'll steal it like I normally do. I am running out of time, so I figured I'll ask," said Hogan.

"Alright." Klink got out of bed and put his robe on. When he turned around, Hogan was gone.