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Between The Lines

Chapter 16

Off Course

Wilson put his feet against the large concrete block and gave it a shove. Working his feet back and forth the stone inched its way forward into the cell until it seemed to be moving on its own volition. Someone was assisting him. Crawling on his hands and knees through the opening, a hand soon thrust itself into his line of vision.

"I wondered when you'd show up." Hogan harassed.

Taking the offered hand, Wilson stood and looked into the gloom trying to get his bearings. "I knew you'd be looking for me and I certainly didn't want to disappoint you," Wilson chided. Brushing the dirt off his hands and knees, he smiled and added, "The whole camp is celebrating the results of the trial." Looking around he demanded, "How do you see in here?"

"I don't. But I can tell you how many steps between the middle of the cot to each wall if that helps." Hogan answered.

"No, that's okay, I'm not planning on staying." Wilson quipped and then turned serious. "You doing okay, Colonel?"

"Oh yeah, I'm having a ball." Feeling a little dizzy, Hogan sat down before continuing. "I hope Burkhalter gets me out of here tomorrow. I've had just about enough. I don't know if it is the dark or the boredom but I keep replaying the trial in my head."

Taking a seat next to Hogan, Wilson commented, "Sounds like it was pretty grueling."

"It was intense, but that's not what's bothering me. It's Klink. He really outdid himself at the trial. After the Gestapo judge declared it was an accident of war, he announces he would take us to Berlin for further questioning. I was just digesting that alarming bit of news when Klink suddenly steps forward and demanded to punish us here. I was waiting for Klink to be reprimanded, but then the Gestapo judge agreed. I nearly fainted. Literally." Rubbing the back of his neck and thinking out loud, he continued, "The Gestapo likes to set an example in cases like this. It wasn't normal practice for him to give in to Klink. I still haven't figured it out."

Noticing the stress evident in Hogan's voice, Wilson suggested, "Maybe you should just count your blessings and let it go."

"I'd like to but I can't. I feel like I'm missing something. The pieces just don't fit. It has my head pounding." He absent-mindedly placed his hand across his chest to try and slow the pounding of his heart. Taking a settling breath, he added, "Something's not right."

"Are you talking about the trial or yourself," Wilson asked? Why are you clutching your chest?"

Hogan immediately put his arm down. "I think I might have caught something from somebody. Anything going around among the men or the guards?" he asked, as he again placed his right arm across his chest and shifted his weight uncomfortably.

Wilson reached for Hogan's wrist.

"What are you doing?"

"Feeling your pulse." Even though he was not able to see his watch to time Hogan's pulse he could tell it was fast. And his skin felt clammy. Growing concerned, he asked, "When did this start."

Silence.

"When did this start, Colonel?" Wilson repeated.

Hogan sighed, "A few days ago but I really noticed it after Schultz brought my dinner. I think I've caught a 'bug'. Of all the times to get something it would be when Burkhalter's coming."

Hogan shook his head, "Nothing I can't handle. I'm just unusually tired. It's been a long day."

"Anything else I should know?" Wilson prompted.

Hogan ran a shaky hand through his hair and answered with a quiet, "No."

Wilson shook his head in resignation. "It may be you're coming down with something. But it's just as likely that you have pushed yourself to your limit, and your body is rebelling. Normally I would prescribe a sedative and sleep."

"And I am about desperate enough to take it," Hogan confessed.

"Especially if it would allow me to sleep without dreaming." But I can't risk being groggy when Burkhalter gets here."

Caught by surprise by that unexpected reveal, Wilson commented. "Those must be some pretty vivid dreams. How long has this been going on?"

Hogan shifted his position uncomfortably. "Come on, Wilson, everybody dreams."

"Not everybody's dreams disrupt sleep long enough for them to view it as a problem." Wilson pointed out.

"I didn't say it was a problem. I just said I wish they wouldn't wake me up," Hogan answered indignantly.

Raising his hand to stop the battle, Wilson agreed, "Okay, you're right, it's not a problem. But getting back to your original question, nobody has reported feeling bad to me. But we know how that goes, not everybody reports to me when they feel bad. Some think it's no big deal." Wilson waited for the last sentence to sink in. "So I guess we will just wait and see if it's a 'bug' or exhaustion."

The muscles in Hogan's jaw rippled as he censored his words. "Right, Wilson, my thoughts exactly. There's nothing to do but ride it out and get on with the war."

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General Kaltenbrunner, Chief of SS intelligence, was pouring Burkhalter a brandy while anticipating a little impromptu discussion. "General Burkhalter, what have you learned about this escape attempt Colonel Hogan led?"

"At this point I only know what Oberst Klink has told me. Colonel Hogan and some of his men cut the wire and attempted to make an escape. I hope to learn more tomorrow when I go to Stalag 13."

Kaltenbrunner picked up the fireplace poker and poked at the logs exciting the flames. The warmth from the fire slipped past him and into the room hugging the over stuffed chair he planned to soon retire too. Putting the poker back in its spot next to the massive fireplace, he walked to the chair and sank deep into it.

General Burkhalter was already comfortably sipping his brandy from his matching chair, when Kaltenbrunner continued. "Was Oberst Klink far behind the escaping prisoners?"

Burkhalter pulled the glass of brandy from his lips. "He said only fifteen minutes, gauged on the fact that the guard passed that area of fence in fifteen minute intervals." Burkhalter looked questioningly at Kaltenbrunner. "What are you getting at?"

Kaltenbrunner's eyes squinted into a subtle smile as he continued. "So based on the fact they had to load into the truck, we can assume twenty or twenty five minutes head start." Kaltenbrunner swirled his brandy thinking.

Burkhalter looked down his nose at Kaltenbrunner. "I suppose that's a logical assumption. But you have to remember the prisoners were on foot and Klink was in a truck. The distance would have been quickly shortened."

Kaltenbrunner nodded, "That would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the prisoner to have accomplished any acts of sabotage in Hammelburg. The distance, between Hammelburg and the barn, they were found in, is too great."

Burkhalter set his glass down. "That's right. Was there some question about that?"

"The Major, in charge of the Hammelburg Gestapo, had prisoners freed by raiders. Their SS guards were killed and a building set on fire the night of the escape. He was suspecting Oberst Klink's prisoners." Kaltenbrunner took another sip of his brandy.

Burkhalter sighed. "Major Hochstetter always suspects Stalag 13 of any sabotage activity in the area. Not only did they not have time, they did not have guns."

"I will set him straight," Kaltenbrunner reached for the flask and poured another round, which Burkhalter gratefully picked up.

Burkhalter took a sip and lifted the glass to admire the amber liquid. Choosing his words carefully he asked, "General Kaltenbrunner, what do you know about Reichsfuhrer Himmler's campaign to the Amazon?"

Kaltenbrunner set his glass down. "You mean the one in 1935, I assume."

"Were there others," Burkhalter asked?"

"Let us talk about 1935. It was a fact gathering expedition. They collected local fauna, information on geography and ethnography. The primary goal was to trace back the origins of the Arian race. But what you want to know is about the fauna they brought back. Primarily the ayahuasca."

Kaltenbrunner took another sip of whiskey and looked knowingly at Burkhalter.

"The what?" Burkhalter asked.

"Ayahuasca. The indigenous people used it in their ceremonies. It's a vine that grows in the jungle. It lay forgotten in the collection of artifacts for several years. They turned it over to science about a year ago. According to the jungle tribes it is a drink of enlightenment. It opens up the mind and takes them to another plane of existence. They have been running experiments with it for bit now." Kaltenbrunner smiled, "That's where your test subject comes in."

"I see, but why Colonel Hogan. How was it decided to use him in this scientific study?"

Kaltenbrunner finished his brandy and crossed his legs. "We all know the American has been a part of many studies and has proven to have stamina. Not as much as the typical SS soldier but noteworthy non the less. There are certain esoteric reasons to learn what effects the drug will have long term before administering it to our selected elite."

"Have you seen it work on anybody," Burkhalter asked?

"No. But I've read some of the reports. They usually start off with small doses. It appears to give you a hangover at first. After the body has been introduced to it, and adjusts, the side effects lessen, at least that's what the reports say. Colonel Knefler will be able to tell you more. He has actually observed the process."

"I'll be meeting with him at Stalag 13 in a few days," Burkhalter admitted.

"Yes, I know," Kaltenbrunner acknowledged, pouring them both another shot of brandy.

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"Kinch, over here." Newkirk held up a large tin filled with what looked like capsules. "I figured it would be in his desk."

Kinch, joined by Carter and LeBeau, stared down at the capsules in silence. Holding one up to look at, he commented, "So this is what Klink has been dosing him with. Give me your bottle, Carter."

Carter took the bottle out of his pocket and held it open for Kinch to deposit the capsule. "Wait, Carter, I'm going to grab two."

"Let's take them all and get rid of them," LeBeau angrily demanded.

"Can't do that, Louis." Newkirk picked up a third capsule and added it to the bottle. Looking at Kinch, he said, "For good measure. Klink's never going to miss them, there must be over a hundred here."

Carter looked puzzled. "How do they get the Colonel to take a capsule without knowing it."

"They don't," LeBeau answered. They sprinkle what's inside into his food. "The same method we use when we use the knock out drugs on the guards. Except we use pills."

"Put that back in Klink's desk just the way you found it, Newkirk. We don't want to raise any suspicions." Kinch screwed the lid on the bottle and put it in his pocket. "Let's get out of here."

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Wilson was just clearing the tunnel leading to the cooler when he heard some activity coming from the radio room. As he approached he could hear Kinch and the crackle of the radio.

"They are capsules, Momma Bear. They're about an inch long and contain an off white powder. Over"

"Do they have a smell? Have you tasted it, Papa Bear? We really think we need to have one to give you any information. Over"

"I was afraid of that, Mama Bear. Okay, we will wait for instructions on a pick up. Papa Bear over and out."

Kinch took off the headset and laid it down next to the radio. "They can't tell us anything until they can get one to analyze."

"What's going on?"

Everyone turned to see Wilson standing in the tunnel. The look of concern on their faces drew him further into the room.

Carter, Newkirk, and LeBeau all began talking at once, when a sharp whistle brought them all to a halt.

"Wilson, we just found out Klink's been dosing the Colonel with these." Kinch held up a bottle with two pills in it. Setting the bottle down, he pushed a paper with an open capsule on it toward him.

Wilson stepped forward and picked up the paper to look at the powder. His jaw stiffened and he muttered, "How long?"

"We don't know." Carter answered.

"I'm guessing ever since he's been in Solitary." Newkirk's own anger was evident as he turned to face Wilson.

LeBeau looked at Newkirk and throwing his hands up proclaimed, "We should have taken the whole container of pills."

"Louis that would have caused all kinds of problems and would not have solved anything." Newkirk glared at LeBeau for a minute and then put his hand gently on the Frenchman's shoulder.

Wilson spoke up. "I have a feeling it's been going on longer than that."

"Why? Did the Colonel tell you something? Kinch asked.

Wilson nodded his head. "More than I realized at the time. The Colonel suspected something wasn't right. He asked if there was some sickness going around camp. He's feeling the effects of whatever that stuff is. If I know the Colonel, he had some symptoms early on that he shrugged off."

Kinch stood up and walked around the radio table. "Now that you mention it, Wilson, I think you're right. I thought it was just because of the strain of dealing with Hegel and Klink. But the night before our escape he did say Klink was acting strange. Wanted him to try some new tea and was very persistent. Klink has probably been dosing him since he left your care and stepped back into command. "Looking at the others the urgency hit him. "We've got to tell the Colonel."

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Hochstetter stood looking at the burned body of one of the SS soldiers found in the remains of Schiller's Bakery. The bakery once housed the makeshift Gestapo interrogation center for Major Hegel.

Was it just a coincidence that it burned on the same night that Hegel was killed? I think not. But I cannot prove otherwise. I don't even know whom the prisoners were that he was bringing in and all the records he had burned up in the fire.

Hochstetter looked off in the direction of the local stalag. There is no way any of the prisoners from Stalag 13 could have done this. They counted every last prisoner that night during Hogan's escape attempt. And Hogan and his men were too far away. It had to be the underground. Hegel must have been onto something. Still, it's funny Hogan chose that night to escape.

Now that the ruins had cooled, the debris could be cleared away and the gruesome job of recovering the remains could begin. Hochstetter watched as an SS soldier was placed on a gurney. He removed his hat out of respect and stepped forward as they covered the remains with a blanket for transport.

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Hogan threw his fist into the soldiers face and watched it morph into something unrecognizable. What is this thing? Bracing for a return punch, the scene suddenly changed and he was running through the woods. Something was gaining on him.

What's that noise? Grinding…rocks…scraping…

Hogan woke up with a start. His shirt was damp with sweat. "Where…" The cold began to set in and reality returned. The grating sound continued and he turned toward the tunnel entrance.

Someone was working the stone loose. Pushing the knot of blankets away he went to help pull the stone aside.

"Wilson why are you here? You just left."

Hogan stepped further back in his cell as Kinch pushed his way through followed by LeBeau, Carter, and Newkirk.

"What's going on?" finger combing his hair and zipping his jacket up he waited for an explanation.

Wilson looked in the direction of the shadow that was Hogan.

"Your men have discovered the reason for the symptoms you've been having."

Before Hogan could admonish Wilson for sharing their conversation, Kinch spoke up. "You're being drugged, Colonel."

"What?"

"It's true, mon Colonel. We found the drugs in Klink's desk drawer."

Hogan felt for the cell wall and steadied himself. "How did you know to look?"

"Carter followed Schultz to the Kommandant's office with your dinner tray. Schultz was acting suspicious and he came and told us," Newkirk explained.

Carter jumped in to explain further. "We cornered Schultz tonight and he tried to deny it. But he couldn't get out and…"

"Carter! Slow down," Newkirk snapped.

"Schultz eventually told us what the Kommandant was doing," LeBeau explained. "Klink just told him it was for your nerves. I think Schultz believed him."

"So Kinch decided we should search Klink's office," Carter added. And Newkirk found the capsules in Klink's desk drawer."

"I've radioed London, Colonel. They weren't much help. They need to have the medicine and analyze it. We're waiting for London to get back to us to tell us how they want us to get it to them." Kinch watched as his commanding officer absorbed what he had just been told.

"That's a lot of information. I've got a feeling I don't have much time to prepare for the next move the Nazi's have planned." Disbelief followed by anger and finally resignation all happened in split second. "Give me a minute." Keeping his hand on the wall for support, Hogan paced to the opposite wall and back, struggling to absorb all he had been told. "Well, I can tell you this, I'm not eating any more of Klink's food. Where is the medicine now?"

"We put it back in Klink's drawer."

LeBeau looked at Hogan. "I told them not too."

"No, Louis, that was the right thing to do," Hogan agreed. Pacing a short distance and turning around to face the group, he said, "I'm going to have face this head on."

"What do you mean," Kinch asked?

"I'm sure when I refuse to eat, Klink will call the powers that be and tell them."

Carter's eyes opened wider. "And then what, Colonel?"

"They'll know I've somehow figured out what was happening. I expect they will change their approach."

Wilson spoke up. "You know what that probably means."

Hogan rubbed his eyes and sighed. "Yeah, I know. Knefler's coming back, and I doubt London will be able tell us anything before that happens."

"Bloody ell', Gov'nor. Let's pack it up. We'll take the bloody capsules to England ourselves!"

"Oui! I'm with you, Newkirk." LeBeau could hardly stand in one spot.

Hogan shook his head. "This isn't a democracy and we've got a job to do. We've got a good operation here. It is still covert. You guys can handle it. A lot of our men won't get home if we bail. I'm sure London will agree with me. Keep an ear to Klink's office and keep London informed and me too if possible. But don't take any risks on my account. Understood?"

Kinch spoke for the group. "Understood, Colonel"

"Good. Now, get topside and get some rest." Hogan looked at the shock on his men's faces.

Nobody moved.

"That's an order."

"Yes, sir." Kinch answered. "Okay, guys move out."

As the men made their way out into the tunnel, Hogan pulled Wilson aside. "I knew something wasn't right."

"Colonel, Kinch just told me about the 'tea party' Klink surprised you with. We think he's been dosing you for awhile."

Hogan agreed. "With all the violin concerto's I've been forced to sit through, I know your right."

"Colonel, I don't know what they're trying to accomplish. I just wish I could do something." Wilson's anguish spilled out. His orders when he accepted this assignment were to keep the men healthy but stay out of the business end of the operation.

"There is nothing for you to do, Wilson. Just keep an eye on the guys. Kinch may need a sounding board now and then."

Wilson tried to see the face of his commanding officer in the light coming in from the tunnel. "I don't like how this sounds."

Hogan shrugged. "It's always a day to day existence. Nothings changed." Slapping Wilson on the back he sent him into the tunnel.

As he slid the block back into place Hogan began to piece things together. So is this the real reason the Gestapo didn't take us. It would explain a lot. But Klink did seem nervous when he asked to punish us here at Stalag 13.

Continuing to analyze he realized what they had done to the Nazi's plans. Hogan smiled.

Hegel's death threw a wrench in their plans. It's ironic to think threatening their plans forced them to save us from the Gestapo.

The smile faded. What will they do when I stop cooperating?

Looking up into the blackness of his cell he prayed. This time You take point and I'll follow your lead.