Copycat Spy Chapter 10: Rescue Mission, a hogan's heroes fanfic

Hogan's Heroes

Copycat Spy

(A/N: I've made quite a few improvements to this chapter, so hopefully it is better than before. Enjoy.)

Rescue Mission

Wilson sat by the unconscious Kripo officer's side. Slowly he injected the truth serum. He'd never been one to use drugs for questioning; it seemed unfair, inhumane even, but then the saying was 'all's fair in love and war.' The man began to groan. "Easy, comrade, easy," Wilson soothed. "Tell me about the secret plans."

"Plans… secret… Nimrod," the man stammered in reply.

"Secret plans regarding Nimrod? What plans, comrade, what plans?" Wilson cooed.

"Agent… Nimrod… Kripo…" the man muttered.

"Nimrod is posing as a Kripo agent? Nimrod has been captured by the Kripo, what comrade, what?" Wilson said.

"Nimrod… secret… more than one…" the man said.

Wilson paled. What? More than one? He couldn't possibly mean more than one Nimrod. They had Nimrod with them. Never had Schneider mentioned any others. Nimrod was one person, it had to be. "Who, comrade, who is Nimrod?" Wilson quickly asked, but the man was asleep once more. He sighed in annoyance. Perhaps there had been too much of the drug. He didn't dare try again with the truth serum until tomorrow night, lest the combination of the truth serum and the drug he'd used to knock him out ended the man's life.

"Wilson!" a voice suddenly yelled.

Wilson turned quickly. His eyes widened on seeing Hochstetter, Burkhalter, and Langenscheidt entering with an unconscious and badly injured Strauss with them. "What happened?" Wilson immediately demanded. Oh someone had done a number on that boy.

They lay Strauss on a bed gently, and Hochstetter ordered, "Never mind! Help him this instant, schnell!"

"Where is General Von Steinbrenner?" Burkhalter raged, more furious than Hochstetter, now that Hochstetter had let worry overtake everything else.

"He will be alright, won't he?" Langenscheidt asked for probably the hundredth time since they'd dragged Strauss out of the woods and back to the camp.

Wilson went to the boy and did a preliminary sweep of the injuries. Sighing in relief he replied, "It's not as bad as it seems. The young man is quite strong."

"Fix him!" Hochstetter ordered. "I cannot have my men out of commission! Meanwhile, General Burkhalter and I have some business to discuss with Colonel Klink." Burkhalter started at this but then nodded. Hochstetter marched out and Burkhalter followed. Langenscheidt cast one more uneasy look back at Strauss, then left.

"Hochstetter, what madness are you dragging us into now?" Burkhalter demanded as he and Klink sat with Hochstetter in the Major's quarters.

"Do you deny that nothing is as it seems here?" Hochstetter demanded. "Do you deny that strange happenings have been going on in this Stalag?"

"Major, is this another accusation?" Klink exasperatedly demanded.

"Klink, shut up. He may be onto something this time," Burkhalter warned. "Go on Major."

"There are too many unanswered questions. Why is the Kripo suddenly so interested in Stalag 13? Why are they suddenly so intent on destroying the reputation of the Gestapo? Hogan has made fewer than usual entrances, for what reason? We find a prisoner playing ball with Langenscheidt and Strauss. Why on Earth would a prisoner of war play a friendly game with his captors? A Kripo vehicle arrived today. The men inside delivered a letter into the hands of Strauss alone. Later that same day Strauss requests permission to leave and collect the deserter Schneider. Why? They have never been close, and where do the Kripo fit in to everything? A broadcast airs claiming Nimrod is multiple parties. Nimrod is supposedly in this camp yet we have found nothing. That in itself is suspicious! Then Von Steinbrenner drags my officer off and Strauss ends up beaten nearly to death! I tell you men something is going on, and the Kripo are in the center," Hochstetter narrated.

"Major, assuming you are right about all of this, and that Strauss is not Nimrod, what are you suggesting we do?" Klink questioned.

"Von Steinbrenner's men are preparing to leave camp for some reason. I say we follow them," Hochstetter replied.

"To what end, Major?" Burkhalter asked.

"To get an idea of what is happening, or to arrest them," Hochstetter replied.

"And you choose us to accompany you?" Burkhalter asked.

"Who better, General? They will not listen to my orders, but you on the other hand, they have no choice but to listen to," Hochstetter said.

"And what would be my purpose in all of this?" Klink demanded.

"Cannon fodder," Burkhalter growled.

Klink withered and said meekly, "Yes sir, cannon fodder."

"Unfortunately, Hochstetter, I cannot accompany you on this endeavor this time. Someone must stay and keep an eye on the camp and the prisoners," Burkhalter declared.

"But General…" the two began to protest.

"No buts, that is final. You may take my car, but you two are on your own," Burkhalter said. Klink and Hochstetter exchanged helpless glances. There was no arguing the man.

"Get back into that bed immediately, boy!" Wilson ordered viciously as Strauss began getting ready, wincing every few seconds.

"Sir, this is important. You do not understand, Sergeant, but someone will die if I do not leave," Strauss begged.

"Private Strauss you will either talk and tell me what's going on, or you won't be going anywhere!" Wilson ordered. He'd fast realized that Strauss was very different from your standard issue Gestapo. Strauss gave him the respect deserving of an officer of higher rank. It didn't matter that he himself was an American or a prisoner, Strauss had obeyed his every command. Until now, that is.

Wilson would have detained the boy, forced him to stay, except unlike Strauss he realized full well that just because he was a higher ranking officer didn't mean he had authority over the young man. He was a prisoner, no more. If the boy decided to walk out in this condition, he couldn't stop him; even if it was risky. He'd managed to patch up most of the wounds, had given pain killers, had treated most of the injuries, but Strauss was in no condition to leave. "I cannot tell you what I am doing," Strauss said, looking down. "Assure the Major I am fine, if he comes, and apologize for me."

"Strauss!" Wilson called out, lost as to how to react to a young man such as him; a young man who had held his friends, even Klink himself, at gunpoint without a thought on Hochstetter's orders. He'd assumed Strauss was just like the others, but then was anyone really exactly alike? Helplessly he watched the young man leave.

"Flood, I have told you what happened. He will not be leaving tonight," Langenscheidt insisted to the Sergeant. When Langenscheidt had told him the story of what had happened, Flood had been horrified. Horror had become unease, then calm once more as he'd let himself digest the story. Now he was watching the sickbay vigilantly. He knew Strauss wouldn't be so easily deterred. He'd seen enough of the young man to witness that. His efforts were soon rewarded.

"There he goes," Flood whispered, pointing. Sure enough he and Langenscheidt watched as Strauss climbed into Hochstetter's car and drove out of the compound.

Langenscheidt, mouth dropped, finally closed it and started up Klink's car, muttering, "He should not even be out. Has he lost his mind?"

"One too many blows to the head I say," Flood said.

"I am a dead man for this. If Hochstetter learns Strauss left and I knew… If Klink ever found out what I am doing in bringing a prisoner…" Langenscheidt said half to himself and half to Flood.

"Cor blimy. Don't worry chum. I'll back you up," Flood promised, smirking. "I'll say you were me hostage." Langenscheidt looked incredulously at him.

"There they go," Von Steinbrenner hissed to his driver and the other officers. As per his orders, his men had prepared to tail Langenscheidt and Flood out. Von Steinbrenner, who had returned only five minutes ago, got into the car. He didn't dare face Hochstetter yet. The man was out for blood, and Von Steinbrenner knew that the three other officers understood full well what had happened to Strauss. He'd come back to a forest filled with the dead bodies of the contacts he'd called in. To cross Hochstetter now would be a death sentence. "After them, schnell," he ordered his men, not wanting to stay here any longer. Quickly the Kripo moved out of the compound.

"What are they doing?" Klink asked, still literally holding the Major back from leaping out of the car and opening fire on the Kripo vehicle, though Hochstetter was cursing him out in a million different ways. Hopefully the question would distract the Major; or at least slow him down.

"Do I look like I care, Klink? Do your men make it practice to ferry out prisoners, Kom-man-dant?" Hochstetter growled warningly at Klink, finally giving up on struggling free. For a coward, Klink could be quite resolved. And he was stronger than Hochstetter had given him credit for. He supposed he should be grateful. Klink was preventing him from making a big mistake that would probably end in his execution.

"No sir, no!" Klink insisted, sensing the change and releasing him. "I assure you Major, I have no idea what…"

"Never mind, Klink. The Kripo are after them. We will get to the bottom of this if it is the last thing we do," Hochstetter declared, starting up Burkhalter's car and following.

Meanwhile, inside the barracks LeBeau quickly shut the door and exclaimed, "Mon Colonel, Klink and Hochstetter are tailing the Kripo who are tailing Flood and Langenscheidt who are tailing Strauss!"

"What? What's going on here?" Hogan asked guardedly, confused. Strauss was out? But he'd been brought back to camp in bad shape, and it didn't take a genius to know he'd been tortured; likely by Von Steinbrenner. The kid was tougher than he'd given him credit for. He would have been out there investigating, if Von Stinbrenner hadn't posted guard to ensure they didn't leave the barracks. Of course, that hadn't held back Flood in the least. Hogan went to the window only to see Burkhalter's car disappearing out of the compound. He pursed his lips tightly. This wasn't good. If they caught up to the young Sergeant… Did they know? They couldn't. He looked back at the others gravely and they all knew they were helpless. There was nothing they could do now. Flood would have to rely on his own resourcefulness now.

"It's been a ruddy half-hour. Where could he be going?" Flood demanded.

"I am not sure. There are many secret bunkers and bases spread throughout Germany. Maybe one of them?" Langenscheidt offered.

"I don't know, but I don't like this one bit," Flood replied. "Look, he's stopping." Sure enough, Strauss turned down a side road, drove a little ways, then parked. He slipped out of the car and entered the woods.

"After him," Langenscheidt said. Quickly they parked their vehicle and followed.

"Quickly, follow them. They are heading for the base!" Von Steinbrenner said, noting the two young men exiting the car and hurrying off. He and his men drew their guns and raced through the woods.

"Why on Earth are they here?" Klink asked.

"There must be some sort of secret Kripo base," Hochstetter replied, checking the back seat for the weapons the duo had brought. "Quickly Klink, arm yourself. We are going after them." Klink cringed at the idea of a confrontation, but really he had no choice at this point in time. He followed the order.

Strauss looked down on the Kripo base, lips pursed. This plan was risky, but he had to get inside. Schneider was in trouble. He felt eyes on him and cringed, hand going to his gun. He had thought he was being tailed. Now he was wishing he'd obeyed that instinct and shaken the pursuer, because now was not a good time. He was still in a great deal of pain, greatly weakened, and very much on edge since the beatings earlier that day. He heard a branch snap and gasped. Before he could draw his gun, however, a hand was clamped over his mouth. "Scream and you're a dead man," an all too familiar voice said. No, it couldn't be. Was that Sergeant Flood?!

"You will not be going anywhere, Nimrod," another voice said, the one holding a gun to his head. Strauss's eyes widened. Langenscheidt! Wait… Flood and Langenscheidt? You know what; he didn't even want to know. In the immortalized words of Sergeant Schultz, he knew nothing, he heard nothing, he saw nothing.

They let him go and he gasped for air, but didn't go for his gun. "Nimrod? Are you mad?" he hissed.

"Why are you here, Private? Especially in your condition?" Flood demanded.

Strauss looked from Flood to Langenscheidt then back. Looking down he sighed deeply. It was all or nothing now. Reluctantly he told them everything that he could risk telling. They listened in shock, and in Flood's case horror. Nimrod wasn't Schneider! Schneider was a captive, and the Nimrod they were hosting… He was a fake! He nearly fainted then and there. He had to get back! But he couldn't… He didn't have a ride. The other two men wouldn't leave without the real Schneider and he was in too deeply now. He had no choice. To save his friends, he would have to help Strauss save his co-worker.

"So what's the plan then?" Langenscheidt asked finally.

"I had an idea for entry, but that was for one person alone. Now there are three," Strauss answered.

"A distraction?" Flood asked.

"We certainly cannot switch uniforms. They are searching for Strauss. If they check his credentials, or mine in his hands, they will know," Langenscheidt said.

"All right, we fire off a few rounds, panic the guards, and when they're scouring the woods for the perpetrators, we get in," Flood said.

It was weak, it probably wouldn't work, but it was all they had. The other two reluctantly nodded and the three began firing into the air. Sure enough the yelling started and the Kripo guards were scrambling. "Now!" Strauss said, quickly leading the way. The other two followed.

"What was that?" one of Von Steinbrenner's men demanded, hearing shots.

"The base! Nimrod has found the base! Forward men!" Von Steinbrenner ordered. They all drew their guns and charged through the woods.

"Do you hear that?" Klink hissed to Hochstetter as bullets rang out.

"The boys are trying to distract the guards. Come on Klink, we must hurry!" Hochstetter ordered. Klink groaned but knew he had no choice. Helplessly he chased after the Major before the man got himself killed.

Schneider sat helplessly inside the cell. He should have known contacting Strauss wouldn't work. Just then, though, he heard the lock clicking open. He gasped and looked up swiftly. His eyes widened on seeing the figures. "Strauss!" he exclaimed in relief, leaping up. With him were Langenscheidt and a man that looked like a prisoner. He cringed. He wasn't going to ask, he wasn't going to question, he just wanted out of here, and now. "Did you bring the Major and our men?" Strauss cringed and Schneider blinked. "Did you?" he repeated tensely.

"With the animosity between the Kripo and Gestapo it would have become a blood bath. My goal was to get us out alive, not taken out in body bags," Strauss answered, not in the mood to be belittled.

"Strauss, we have to go, now. The men will be heading back soon," Langenscheidt urgently warned.

"Right, leave it to me. I'm the greatest escape artist since Houdini," Flood boasted.

"How did you three get the key?" Schneider asked, following. He paused on seeing the unconscious form of a Kripo officer, though, and answered his own question. "Never mind."

Quickly the four hurried through the halls, Flood thinking up a way out. His lips pursed. Strauss had been watching the base and had informed him that there weren't many options for getting out. There was no window, no vent, nothing. For once he began to think that maybe this was one time even his skill wouldn't help them. Wait… there was always an emergency exit in these bunkers, usually well hidden. Racking his memory for the layouts of the bunkers he'd seen Hogan and co map out, he realized that they were all very much the same, and the escape tunnels were in the same basic area. He was leading the way. Going off memory he headed towards where he judged the escape to be. There was the draft! His eyes widened and he slid to a stop. "There's an escape tunnel in this area. Search for it!" he said urgently. Quickly the four began looking. If this didn't work what then, Flood wondered. There was the classic uniform switch, of course. If that became impossible, and they were captured, well, he'd gotten free of chains before. He could get the others out after he freed himself. It wouldn't be too hard to figure oure.

"Here!" Langenscheidt victoriously declared, finding a well hidden panel. Pulling it open a small tunnel, just big enough to crawl through single file, was revealed. Quickly they entered, Flood first, then Strauss, then Schneider, then Langenscheidt. All at once, however, Langenscheidt cried out in alarm as hands grabbed him from behind and pulled him out.

"Langenscheidt!" the other three exclaimed. Suddenly they found themselves staring down the barrels of multiple guns. Oh, they were dead. Slowly they came out, hands on their heads, and looked helplessly at one another. All right, escape from chains it was.

"I demand you let me in this instant!" Hochstetter bellowed furiously at the Kripo guard.

"I am sorry Major, the General's orders are that we are not to allow entrance to anyone," the guard defended, looking terrified of the Major's wrath.

"Let me in or I will see you all shot!" Hochstetter screamed. "Do not make me call Himmler!"

"You'd best do what he says," Klink chimed as he often did when trying to either emphasize one of Hochstetter's orders or weasel his way up in the eyes of the Gestapo. Not that it ever worked. Hochstetter shot him an annoyed glare. Klink shrunk back. Hochstetter rolled his eyes and turned back to the men. They were fooling no one. It was chaos out here, men scouring the woods, double guards at the doors. He was fairly certian he heard a commotion inside, too.

"You have three seconds to release my Gestapo man into my custody before I take this case to the highest authority! I know you have him. One, two…" Hochstetter began.

"I will check with the General," the guard quickly said. Swiftly he entered.

"Nicely done Major," Klink praised.

"Shut up Klink," Hochstetter sneered.

"Yes sir, shutting up," Klink said, backing down. "Question though, Major. Why did you ask for only one of your men?"

Hochstetter blinked and looked at Klink, who appeared less than impressed with him. "What do you mean only one?" Hochstetter asked suspiciously.

"Well I just assumed, Major. After all, Flood, Strauss, and Langenscheidt are nowhere to be found out here. Surely we weren't that far behind them. Where else could they have gone? And if that commotion inside is anything to judge by, they may have them all in custody," Klink replied.

For a long moment Hochstetter was silent, digesting his mistake and the fact Klink had caught it before him. "Bah!" he finally shot. There was no other answer he could come up with. It sickened him to admit, but Klink had just bested him, and the Kommandant knew it.

"Quite the rescue attempt," Schneider said, glaring icily at Strauss.

"There would not have had to be a rescue had you not been caught in the first place!" Strauss defended, definitely not in the mood to hear this.

"We risked our bloomin' lives for you. The least you can do is be grateful," Flood growled, in a bad temper.

"I knew this would happen, I knew it. This always happens," Langenscheidt lamented.

They heard yelling and screaming suddenly, then crashing objects, then silence. Those voices... They had been Klink, Hochstetter, and Von Steinbrenner! The cavelry had arrived! They hoped. For a long moment nothing happened, but all at once the cell was abruptly unlocked. The four young men gasped, looking quickly up. The door swung open and there stood Hochstetter, Klink, and Von Steinbrenner! "Major Hochstetter!" Schneider exclaimed, leaping up with the others. He would have hugged the man, except no one was brave enough to try. Not even Strauss.

Imagine Schneider's surprise, then, when Hochstetter approached and placed his hands on his shoulders, silently scanning him for any injury. The Major's eyes lit up furiously and he turned to face Von Steinbrenner, screaming, "You tortured my Gestapo agent! Von Steinbrenner I will have you court martialed, shot, hung, and sent to the Russian Front if it is the last thing I do! How dare you! You will release my men immediately!"

"No," Von Steinbrenner firmly replied.

"What?!" Hochstetter shrieked.

"Take Schneider, if you will, but the other three stay. Nimrod will not leave this cell until his execution day, and since you insist Nimrod is not a group, his sympathizers will rot and die with him," Von Steinbrenner said. Klink and Hochstetter's mouths dropped. The boys could only stare, wide eyed and pale.