Warning: short chapter ahead.
Hogan jogged up to LeBeau, Kinch and Newkirk who were gathered together in a group. They were talking about Weiss in low voices, no doubt trying to answer the question that was dogging everyone in camp- what to do about Weiss. Hogan was half-tempted to just shoot him and deal with the consequences as they came. But, of course, that was a drastic course of action, and they weren't quite that desperate yet. Still, he didn't think they could wait until he was transferred out. He had the feeling that segregating the camp was just step one in whatever plan Weiss had in his head.
"Hey guys," Hogan greeted them.
"Colonel," the replied in unison.
"Any ideas?" Hogan asked.
"Why don't we tell him someone fell into the well, and when he looks, we push him in," Newkirk suggested lazily.
"Been talking to Carter?" Hogan asked, amused. "Speaking of, where is Carter?" He looked around, hoping to spot his missing demolition's expert.
"He went to go return something to Goldman," Kinch informed him. "Said he would be back pretty quick." Hogan accepted that with a shrug.
"Anyway, what would he suggest other than blowing Weiss up?" Newkirk joked.
Hogan grinned. "Good point." Carter sometimes had a one-track mind.
"I still say poison is the answer," LeBeau said. "I am sure Carter can make something that cannot be traced."
"I'm not sure there's enough poison in the world that can take down Weiss," Hogan said. "But I'll keep it in mind."
"Why don't we-" Kinch was cut off by a commotion on the other side of the compound. They all turned to see Weiss in a rage trying to squash Carter with a series of powerful swings.
Hogan and the other exchanged alarmed looks before racing over as fast as they could. They stopped short when Weiss finally managed to grab hold of Carter, lifting him into the air.
"Colonel! He's-"
"Follow!" Hogan ordered shortly as he sped towards Weiss. Bracing himself, Hogan slammed his shoulder into Weiss' stomach. It was like running straight into a brick wall. He didn't think Weiss even felt him. Hogan wrapped his arms around Weiss' waist- though his arms didn't make it around- and tried to drive the behemoth back. Newkirk and Kinch each grabbed an arm, practically hanging off them as they tried to pull Weiss down.
"Rats!" Weiss cried. "Vermin!" The corporal threw the men off him, dropping Carter relatively unharmed on the ground. Hogan grabbed Carter to pull him away, but a mighty sweep of Weiss' arm knocked him to the ground. "You will all be crushed!"
Hogan rolled away just as Weiss brought his boot down. He scrambled to his feet and whirled around, putting up his fists. It was a pathetic gesture- there was no way he could do any damage to Weiss. But he noticed that Weiss was sweating. Under the rage that colored his face red, Hogan could make see he was pale and shaky. Just like that first night.
Suddenly, the loud clattering of a machine gun filled the air. Bullets spattered the ground close to them. It was plain to see that they were not meant to hit them, merely to get their attention.
"What is going on here?" Hogan heard Klink cry. He looked over his shoulder to see Klink and Schultz hurrying towards them.
Gulping down air like he could not get enough, Weiss stopped his attempt to crush the prisoners. "Kommandant! This traitor threw a rock at me," he cried, pointing a shaky finger at Carter. "And then these, these, these filthy prisoners attacked me!" Pulling himself to his full height, he bared down on Klink. "I want them shot! All of them!"
"Corporal Weiss, calm down. No one is going to be shot," Klink said hesitantly.
"Then I will tear them limb from limb myself!" Weiss roared. "I will grind them into the ground! I will-" Weiss suddenly gasped and clutched his chest.
"Corporal Weiss?" Klink asked. "Corporal?"
Weiss cried out and then, without another sound, dropped to the ground.
Everyone froze in shock. They waited, unsure of what had happened, but Weiss didn't move.
"Corporal Weiss?" Klink squeaked. "Schultz!"
Shaking like a leaf, Schultz tentatively approached Weiss and slowly knelt beside him. He tried to roll the massive man onto his back, but didn't have the strength.
Though he wasn't convinced it wasn't a trick, Hogan knelt down beside Schultz and motioned Kinch to join him. Together they managed to roll Weiss over. His face was contorted in shock and pain, but was still. Schultz grabbed Weiss' wrist then put his fingers against his throat.
"Well?!" Klink demanded.
"Herr Kommandant, I beg to report… I beg to report…"
"What is it Schultz?" Klink said, his tone bordering on hysterical.
Schultz's gums flapped, but he couldn't seem to form any words. Finally Hogan took Weiss' wrist and confirmed his suspicion.
"He's dead."