Recap: The swap is successfully stopped. Back at the safe house, Boswell, Garrett and Hogan have a nice lunch. Boswell was on the radio, supposedly notifying HQ that everything was now going swimmingly. But the four get lost driving around, and get frustrated with roadblocks, debris etc. So, they decide to head to the airfield to commandeer a plane. Meanwhile, Schultz and company just miss Hogan at the border. They find out the swap was stopped by the SS and that Hogan and the general were taken away. Eventually, they wind up back at the airfield. Klink tells them to come back. Not looking forward to a long drive, they too, decide to try and find a plane.

Chapter 10

Schultz, Langenscheidt, Newkirk, and Carter piled into their jeep and headed back the way they came.

Once they reached the airfield, Newkirk said, "You two go look for a plane and pilot. Carter and I will wait here."

"You'll escape if we leave you here alone," Schultz cried. "Do you think I was born yesterday? Karl. Wait here. I will go talk to the people running the airfield. Don't move," Schultz ordered, as he walked away and headed for the building.

Carter and Newkirk looked around the airfield. There were, in fact, several planes lined up and ready to go. But right now, their objective was to somehow find a 2 way radio and contact the camp or London.

Carter tapped Langenscheidt on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear.

"Now?" Karl complained. "You should have gone before we left."

Carter shrugged and then said. "You know that doesn't make any sense! It's not like we came to a rest stop!"

"You two go on. I'll stay here and keep the car warm." Newkirk walked over to the jeep, and began to hop in.

Karl thought for a moment. "No. You'll both come."

They all headed for the office, where Schultz was attempting to convince the OD that it was essential that they be given a plane and pilot.

"Pit stop, Schultz," Carter explained with an innocent look.

Schultz sighed and asked the OD where the washroom was located.

"This way." Langenscheidt pointed, and then followed Newkirk and Carter down a small hallway.

"I won't be long!" Carter announced. He entered the small room, turned on the light and locked the door. Within seconds, he found what he was looking for. Climbing up on the toilet, he jimmied open the window screen and hoisted himself up. Thankfully, he was now thin enough to fit through. Checking to see that no one was looking, he silently dropped to the ground. Staying close to the building, Carter began to look for an unguarded radio. There were too many Germans milling around the fuel depot, so he headed over to the motor pool. The sergeant who had issued Schultz the jeep was seated at desk, reading a magazine. Carter snuck past the window and began checking the cars. A staff car parked near the building came equipped with a radio. He opened the door, crouched down on the seat, and began fiddling with the controls.

ooohhhooo

"Kinch," Olsen said. "We're getting a message on the emergency frequency."

Kinch, who was cleaning some equipment, hurried over just in time to catch the repeated message.

"It's Carter. Go get Captain Mitchell."

Olsen headed up top and quickly returned with both Mitchell and LeBeau.

"What's the story?" Mitchell asked Kinch.

"They're at the airfield. They found out Colonel Hogan and the general were picked up by two SS men. I told him we got a message from London confirming that the two SS men were our agents. Carter told me Klink ordered the four of them to head back, and then he had to get off the radio."

"That's great! So eventually everyone will be back safe and sound, and I can give the colonel his job back!"

"Not quite, Captain. Carter managed to tell me they had no transport back here. Their pilot defected. So they're driving."

"No!" Mitchell punched the wall of the tunnel, sending dirt flying in every direction. "We can't lose Carter and Newkirk. And we certainly can't lose Schultz and Langenscheidt."

"No, Sir. Schultz is a vital member of our operation." Olsen brushed the dirt off of his jacket.

"Any orders?" asked a worried LeBeau.

"Keep monitoring Klink's office."

"I have two men on it," LeBeau told Mitchell.

"Good." Mitchell let out a deep breath. "Kinch, patch me through to London. While we wait, let's discuss options. We can all assume the colonel is in safe hands. But, we have two men, and two guards facing a 500 kilometer drive back up here."

"Newkirk and Carter can take care of themselves, Captain," Kinch stated matter-of-factly.

"Yes. But they have to also watch out for unfriendly troops, bombs, strafing, and God knows what else. And I don't feel that they are exactly secure, traveling with Schultz and Langenscheidt. Those two don't especially strike me as resourceful."

000hhh000

Langenscheidt was getting impatient. He knocked on the bathroom door. Newkirk, who was standing behind him, grunted.

"Carter. How much longer?" The corporal knocked again.

"Can't a man have some privacy?" Newkirk's imitation of Carter was dead on enough to satisfy the guard. Langenscheidt turned and looked at Newkirk, who grinned. "Stress. Carter's prone to it, you know."

"Yes," Langenscheidt agreed. "Chamomile tea. That's what my mother always gave us."

"That's good. But, I've always been partial to chicken soup. Cure all, me mum used to say."

Food being the favorite topic of conversation for all servicemen, Langenscheidt took Newkirk's bait. "My mother used to swear that chocolate could cure anything."

"Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Actually, I may have some chocolate in me pockets." Newkirk dug around and came up with a half-eaten bar. "Have some." Hurry it up Carter.

Several minutes later, the toilet flushed, the water ran, and the door opened.

"Bout time, mate."

"You all right?" Langenscheidt peaked around Carter and saw nothing amiss.

"Oh, fine." Carter gave Newkirk a thumb's up.

"It's no use," Schultz sadly told his charges when he returned. "They will not give us a plane."

"Oh, come on." Carter approached the sergeant as they walked outside. "Did you tell him it was Klink and Burkhalter's orders?"

"They didn't know who the Kommandant was. And they didn't care about General Burkhalter. There are no pilots available and only a few planes."

"You mean we have to drive? All that way in a jeep?"

"This has to be against the Geneva Convention." Newkirk, who was cold, rubbed his hands together.

"Maybe we can catch a train." Carter suggested.

"Sergeant Carter. Your fliers are bombing the railroads," Langenscheidt told him. "Do you want to get killed by your own bombs?"

"I don't want to get killed by any bombs," Schultz muttered.

"Then we'll have to see if we can borrow this jeep for a long trip," Newkirk said. "Anyone care to face the motor pool again?"

"No. We will just take the car," Schultz decided. "And send them a check later."

"Boy," Carter exclaimed. "What's your army's fee for mileage?"

"Kilometers. Carter." Schultz shook his head. "I don't know. That's the Big Shot's problem. And when will your country and your country…" He pointed at Newkirk. "Go metric?"

"When 'ell freezes over, Schultz. Come on. Let's get going before we get caught and end up walking."

000hhh000

We are taking one of your planes." Garrett announced as he walked into the control room of the airfield.

"I told you before," the annoyed Sergeant, responded icily. "No pilot available. No planes available. No clearance."

"I don't think you understood me, Sergeant. I am with the SS. This is General Steinmetz. We are taking a plane."

The sergeant looked up and knocked over his drink.

"I'm…I'm…sorry, sir. I don't have a pilot available."

"No need. I will fly it."

"Yes. Yes. Of course you can. One moment." The sergeant turned on the radio and spoke a few words. "They are getting one ready for you, sir…general. It's not much, but it will seat you and… is that an American prisoner?"

"Never mind who this is," Garrett snapped. "Where is this plane?"

"There it is. " Hogan who was looking out the window, pointed to the flurry of activity around a small aircraft.

"This isn't fit for a general," Steinmetz snorted as the four walked over to the tarmac.

'Would you rather drive, sir?" Boswell asked him.

"You sure you know what you're doing?" Garrett whispered to Hogan.

"I've stolen a German plane before. It's just like riding a bike. You never forget." Hogan slapped Garrett on the back. "Tell them you want to inspect the plane yourself, and then take me with you."

"You stole a German plane? When? How?"

"It was a birthday present from General Biedenbender." Hogan laughed. "Poor Schultz. He ended up coming with us and had to jump."

"No kidding!" Garrett tried to imagine the rotund sergeant in a parachute, and then quickly tossed that picture aside. "Is this ready?" Garrett asked the ground crew.

"Yes sir. All fueled and ready to go," the mechanic answered.

"I will inspect it. Back away. Colonel Hogan will accompany me."

Hogan, along with Garrett, made a thorough examination of the outside of the aircraft.

"Satisfied?" Garrett whispered.

Hogan nodded. "We'll need four chutes. And I want to see them before we put them on."

"General, after you." Boswell pointed to the door.

"Will we all fit in here?" The general asked as he climbed in.

"It will be snug," Hogan admitted. "But cozy."

"It's old and not pretty; but it'll get us to where we're going as long as we steer clear of our own guys." Garrett told Boswell as he and Hogan climbed into the plane.

Boswell and Steinmetz, both fitted in their chutes, were seated together in the rear of the craft. Garrett and Hogan donned their packs and entered the cockpit.

"Hold on! Where's he going?" Steinmetz unbuckled and stood up.

"Him? Like we told you, Colonel Hogan is flying the plane! Sit down, General." Boswell said.

"I thought you were joking! He's my prisoner. We can't have an American pilot flying our plane!" The general headed for the cockpit, when Boswell drew his pistol.

"The SS never joke. Sit down, General. This time, I mean it!"

"What is the meaning of this?"

"General. Things are not always what they seem," was Boswell's answer.

000hhh000

Wilhelm Klink, having now been notified that his star prisoner had been kidnapped by the SS and that two of his guards, and two enlisted prisoners, faced a long trip up north by car, was beside himself as he contemplated the potential escape of Carter and Newkirk. Why wouldn't those two troublemakers take off? Now that they no longer had to look for Colonel Hogan, it would be a simple matter for them to trick his two guards and escape. Particularly since they were close to the Swiss border. After all, Burkhalter's pilot had the same idea. Wait, he reminded himself. The rest of the prisoners were being held hostage, so to speak. Of course, Klink knew he couldn't have any of the prisoners shot. He didn't have it in him. But Burkhalter, or worse yet, the Gestapo, wouldn't hesitate. The Kommandant let out a small whine, and down a glass of sherry. "Carter and Newkirk wouldn't do that," he said out loud. But…it's a long trip…and something could happen to the four. And he would have that on his conscience. For despite everything, Klink was fond of Langenscheidt, and, yes, Schultz, and he didn't wish any serious harm to come to any of his prisoners. And what about Hogan…Klink picked up the phone and asked Hilda to connect him with Major Hochstetter.

"I heard, Klink. The news has traveled, and what do you want me to do about it?"

"Well, Major. I thought maybe you could call one of your…um…colleagues down south and ask them to look for Colonel Hogan, and if it's not too much trouble, my two guards and two of my prisoners."

There was a pause at the other end and then, "Did you say two guards and two prisoners?"

"Yes. You see…Hogan escaped, and we sent them down in a plane to look for him."

"I told you Klink!" Hochstetter yelled. "That man is a menace. And why would you send two of your imbecilic guards and two prisoners?"

"General Burkhalter approved it, Major."

"Ah. I see. And now you wish that I try and rescue Colonel Hogan from the SS?"

"That's correct, Major. Thank you."

"Klink. Did it ever occur to you that this whole thing is a set-up, and that Colonel Hogan was actually rescued by agents posing as SS and taken back to Allied lines? He senses that I am close at discovering his underground work once and for all."

Klink could almost picture Hochstetter rubbing his hands together just like a villain in the silent pictures. All that was missing was the evil laugh.

"Now, Major, that is preposterous."

"Since I would like Colonel Hogan back as well," Hochstetter said. "I will make some inquiries. That way, if he is found, I can catch him, and interrogate him myself!"

"Thank you, Major. Oh, don't forget my guards and prisoners?"

"Don't push your luck." Hochstetter slammed down the phone.