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Between The Lines

Chapter 24

Kismet

Hogan's Room

"Colonel Hogan?"

"Colonel?" A hand touched Hogan's shoulder. Rolling onto his back, Von Tillermaan loomed into view.

Awareness came rushing back. Shocked he had fallen asleep; he pushed himself up on his side. "Is it seven?"

Von Tillermaan smiled. "No, it's only five."

Sitting up, he slid his legs to the floor. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck." Absent-mindedly, raising his right hand to finger comb his hair, he stopped and frowned at the bandage. "Is this really necessary?

"You fractured your fourth and fifth metacarpal. In lay terms, that's your ring and little finger at the knuckle. So yes, it's necessary for at least two weeks and it would be best for six weeks. What happened?"

Hogan's face-hardened. "Knefler."

"Knefler broke your hand?"

"No, he came by to tell me he was keeping me at Dulag Luft for more tests," Hogan answered through gritted teeth. "I couldn't hit him."

"Ah. So you took it out on the wall instead. I suppose that was the lesser of two evils," Tillermaan agreed. "But, I'm guessing, not as satisfying. Next question, how are you holding up?"

Giving Tillermaan a look of exasperation, he asked, "What the heck did you give me? First every one shrunk, then disappeared and against my will I… no… that's not the right word… I had no will… it… nothing mattered. It's like there are no consequences… and the colors… so many colors and distortion of everything around me… it was so… vivid. I'm not making any sense, am I?"

Tillermaan nodded. "You were hallucinating. Seeing things in your mind. And, yes, to you it was real."

"There was no right or wrong. There was no… judgment." Hogan shook his head.

"Ayahuasca temporarily affects the frontal lobe of the brain, and maybe other areas as well. We are still learning. So yes, you were incapable of reasoning." Watching Hogan struggle with being out of control, Tillermaan attempted to put his mind at ease. "Don't worry. You didn't say anything that revealed your operation. But you did mention Newkirk and something about a staff car. Have you heard the term 'a flight of ideas'? It's where you have rapidly shifting thoughts loosely associated with one another. It renders the conversation incoherent. When I saw where Oberst Knefler was heading with his questions, I intervened. I simply interrupted Knefler's questioning by asking my own questions. It changed your focus to the present. Ayahuasca does not work the same way every time it is used. We don't know why. So the next time, you may not be elated and uninhibited."

"May not be?" Hogan stood and paced away from Tillermaan as he digested what he had been told. He turned and looked back. "Thanks for the rescue, but that's a big gamble and knowing there are drugs that can do that is frightening, even if it is temporary." Hogan said uneasily. "What happens when they develop a drug that can do that permanently and brain washing becomes a reality with just the taking of a pill?"

"We aren't there yet and I hope we don't get there. Let's just get through these next two tests and trust that Oberst Knefler won't get to put you through more."

There were dangers fooling around with drugs that affect the brain. Especially the new drugs LSD that Knefler wants to use. Tillermaan looked closely at Hogan and asked. "Are you having any hallucinations or abnormal thoughts after the testing?"

Hogan exhaled, momentarily letting go of his anxiety, and concentrated on the question. "No. I'm just tired."

That was what Tillermaan was expecting to hear. Ayahuasca had a proven history of no harm. But it had not been scientifically put to the test, at least not to this degree. "That's not surprising. We are putting a lot of stress on you. This next test will have a sudden onset. Don't be surprised. Just try to relax. I keep stressing to relax and just experience, because you have no control from the time the medicine hits your brain until your body has broken it down and filtered it out."

"I thought the effects came on quickly the last time." Hogan commented, as he continued to pace and think.

"This time it is a little different. It goes directly into your blood stream."

Turning to look at Von Tillermaan, Hogan tried to read his body language as to why this was going to be different. "Being injected into muscle doesn't put it in the blood stream?"

"Indirectly. The blood passing over it in the muscle gradually picks up the medicine. The bolus you get with the IV is more concentrated and sudden."

Hogan appeared lost in thought as he tried to imagine a more sudden onset. With a shake of his head, he answered. "It's against my nature not to fight back. But I'll keep your advice in mind." Realizing the play on words, he waved it off. "You know what I mean."

Tillermaan smiled. "Why don't you lie back down and get some more rest? It's the best thing you can do right now. I will see you in a couple of hours." Tillermaan walked toward the door.

Hogan sat down on the bed and answered glumly. "I can hardly wait."

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Hamelburg Underground

The Frankfurt underground, known by code name Nightcrawler, had finally radioed a target time to London, who passed the information on. There was no direct communication among the participants in operation Kismet.

"Operation Kismet is set for tonight. We will meet at the rendezvous point for the drop off between 2430 and 0300 depending on when they pick up the package." Tiger looked around the barn at the other members of the team. "I have been given the recognition code. We are still in radio silence. London will contact us later to confirm we received the package."

"Did they tell us who the package is?" Lutz asked.

"No. But we are to keep him or her securely wrapped and locked away until we get our next orders. We will use station one. Two of us will be guarding him or her at a time. We'll receive more information later."

Erica looked at Lutz and guessed. "With London being the relay point for all the operation they are making sure we only know our own part of the operation. It has to be somebody important. Let's not mess this up."

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Testing Lab

Colonel Hogan entered the room flanked by two orderlies holding onto his arms. It was seven p.m. and this time, Von Tillermaan was already in the room. And much to Hogan's dismay, so was Knefler.

Tillermaan approached with a tray containing a hypodermic, a tourniquet, and a cotton ball resting in alcohol. "I usually hook you up to an EEG after you are under the influence of the medication and remove it before you are completely aware. This time I am going to attach the electrodes before we administer the medication. IV administration will hit your brain all at once. To be safe and monitor your reaction, you need to be attached prior to administration. Can I have your cooperation?"

Hogan looked at the tray and gathered what would happen if he said no. "It looks like it's going to happen one way or another." Looking down, he sighed. "I don't want anymore drugs pumped into me."

"That is a yes, then?"

"I wouldn't call it cooperating, but it seems the lesser of two evils at the moment. Get on with it."

Knefler was not surprised at Hogan's answer. Knowing Hogan's innate propensity for fact gathering, he would opt to maintain awareness. Looking at General Kaltenbrunner, he gave a satisfied nod.

The heart monitor was attached, and he was unceremoniously strapped into the exam chair. As the blood pressure cuff was being attached, Von Tillermaan and Fischer began attaching electrodes to his head. Wagner moved from the blood pressure cuff to the intravenous line.

Having noticed the splint on Hogan's right hand, Knefler walked a little closer. "I see he did injure his hand."

Wagner looked up at Knefler. "Ja, fractured the fourth and fifth metacarpals."

"That's a 'boxer's' injury, Colonel Hogan." Knefler commented with a satisfied grin.

Looking at Knefler, Hogan answered, without pause and with a slight smirk. "I was swatting an insect."

Knefler's grin faded as Hogan's meaning registered.

Tillermaan stifled a laugh as he and Fischer finished attaching the electrodes and hurriedly moved things on.

"Gentlemen, I think we are ready to begin." Tillermaan announced.

Hogan tensed. Having had different experiences with each of the last two tests, he was determined to try to maintain some control this time. So much for Von Tillermaan's advice.

Von Tillermaan started the EEG and announced, "Begin."

Fischer picked up the syringe and inserted it into the port on the IV. Steadily and firmly, he pressed down the plunger and followed it with a saline flush from a second syringe.

Almost immediately Hogan's face went blank, and he sat motionless, staring blankly into space. Everyone watched the sudden change. Tillermaan sat down in front of Hogan. Looking into his dilated eyes, and tried to coax a response to no avail.

"Forty seconds," Wagner announced.

"Get a blood draw." Tillerman ordered.

Fischer complied.

"One Minute." Respirations 12, heart rate sixty, blood pressure 90/70.

"Colonel Hogan, do you hear me?" No response, just a blank stare. Picking up a discarded syringe, Tillermaan pricked Hogan's hand, looking for a response. Hogan remained motionless, not even a blink of an eye.

"Ninety seconds." Knefler announced, his voice rose slightly as he anticipated a worse case scenario.

Then, as suddenly as it began, Hogan closed his eyes, took in a deep breath and, swallowing, moved against the restraints.

"One minute Forty-five seconds. Heart rate 90, Respirations 16, blood pressure 110/75." Wagner announced, relieved to see movement.

Tillermaan shook his head and looked at Knefler. "That was intense." Still studying Hogan's face, he announced. "He has rapid eye movement under closed eyes; he's dreaming or hallucinating."

"Five minutes. Heart rate 100, Respirations 20, blood pressure 115/80."

"Dr. Fischer, would you get another blood draw, please?" Tillermaan asked as he stood and joined Knefler watching the EEG.

"Look at the delta and theta bands." Knefler commented.

Von Tillermaan eagerly watched the EEG readings. This was a new frontier and, if done cautiously and safely, could greatly expand the knowledge of the functioning of the brain. The SS interest in ayahuasca and ESP would be a benefit to this study. Caution and safety were the keywords.

Wagner announced, "Ten minutes. Vital signs stable: heart rate 100, Respirations 20, blood pressure 115/80."

"He is putting considerable pressure on the restraints." Fischer observed.

Hogan was becoming more animated. Briefly opening his eyes, he seemed to be engaging in a world all his own.

"Let's get another blood draw. I want to follow the concentration of the medicine in his blood every five minutes."

Knefler paid close attention as random words began to be shared.

"I have…" Hogan responded to no one in particular. "… meaningless."

"Fifteen minutes, heart rate 80, respirations 18, blood pressure 112/78." Wagner stated as Fischer drew another vial of blood.

Knefler took a seat in front of Hogan. "Robert, can you see me?"

Hogan did not respond. Knefler raised his eyelids and shone a light. "Pupils are still dilated. His muscles are tense and he's perspiring slightly. I sure would like to know what's going on in that head."

"He is still engaged in his hallucination." Wagner commented. "But he has a calm look on his face. Time is twenty minutes. Respirations are down to 12, heart rate 72, blood pressure 100/75.

Tillermaan observed Fischer begin to draw another vial of blood and Hogan briefly looked down on his left arm. "He appears to be coming back to reality."

Tillermaan's voice filtered through Hogan's haze. "This is not real… not as real…" Hogan's muscles began to relax and he slumped slightly. Blinking the current reality into view, he looked puzzled. "Why did they send me back?"

Knefler leaned in a little closer. "Why did who send you back?"

Hogan closed his eyes and mumbled. 'There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio."

Amused, Knefler stared intently at Hogan. "Hamlet? Are you trying to tell me something, Colonel?"

Von Tillermaan laughed. "If that were the case, I'd expect to hear a little Macbeth, 'Double, double toil and trouble'." Tillermaan walked over to Hogan and raising his chin, shone a light into his eyes, eliciting a groan. "Welcome back, Colonel. Stop the clock."

Knefler smiled. "Very funny. I think he may have experienced what the SS are hoping to achieve."

"Perhaps." Von Tillermaan agreed, "But that is not what this testing is about. I am only monitoring the physical outcome." Looking at Dr. Fisher, he instructed, "Continue to do a blood draw every five minutes for the next 15 minutes." Tillermaan checked the EEG readings, turned off the machine, and began removing electrodes.

"Well, it's what I am about." Knefler commented. "And I can't wait to learn more."

"You'll have to wait one more day. We have one more test tomorrow. Then he is yours to do with as you please." Tillermaan began to gather up the charting from around the room. Looking at Knefler, he offered, "You are welcome to join me in my office and look over the results of today's tests if you'd like."

"I would like that very much. I want to run a few ideas by you about my plans for the next few days."

Knefler looked back at Hogan with interest. "It seems something is getting through to you, Colonel. We will explore it together."

General Kaltenbrunner rose from his chair and placed his cap on his head. "I will leave you two to your 'party'. I must be getting back to Berlin for a meeting with the Fuhrer tomorrow. I will tell him we will be moving ahead with our plans. But keep me informed of your progress, Oberst Knefler. If you are getting results, I may be able to convince the Fuhrer to let you continue."

Hogan sat quietly and listened as he tried to comprehend what he had just experienced. Somehow, he had to move past the turmoil in his head robustly threatening to overwhelm him. His current reality demanded his full attention, even if it felt less real than where he had just been.

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Holmark Hospital Parking Lot

"Gunter, the General left over an hour ago. What's taking Knefler so long?"

"He'll be coming, Leon. His car is here. There are fewer people around the later it gets. It is all to our benefit." Gunter lit a cigarette and pretended to be inspecting the painted lines in the parking lot. It was common for work to be done around the hospital after dark when there was less interference with daily routine. The area of the parking lot where Knefler's car was parked had been made darker by a 'burned out' light. The painter's truck was positioned opposite the car. Everything was in place.

Klaus sat in the back of the painter's truck, waiting. It was the hardest part of any operation… waiting. Original plans had been altered when London decided to take a more active role in the operation. His team had split up and would connect later. He looked at his watch. It was ten forty-five. Something very interesting or very wrong must be going on, or maybe Von Tillermaan is just making sure the test is running late. Suddenly, there was a pounding on the side of the truck, his cue to be ready.

Knefler was still going over results of the test in his head and planning his next steps with Hogan, when he was approached by one of the men painting lines on the parking lot.

"Excuse me, Oberst," Gunter began.

Knefler stopped and made eye contact with Gunter. "Yes?" Leon quickly grabbed him from behind and placed a chloroform soaked cloth over Knefler's face. As Knefler collapsed, Klaus opened the door on the back of the truck. Gunter grabbed Knefler's feet and together he and Leon swiftly placed him inside the truck. Removing Knefler's hat and coat, Klaus searched them for the keys to the staff car.

"No keys. Check his pants pocket." Klaus requested as he slipped into Knefler's coat and placed his cap on his head.

"Got em." Leon announced. Taking the keys, Klaus jumped out of the truck and strolled over to Knefler's staff car.

Gunter jumped down from the truck and slammed the door, leaving Leon in the back with Knefler. Climbing into the driver's seat of the truck, he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the deserted street.

Adjusting the rearview mirror, Klaus started the staff car. Phase one was complete; now on to phase two. Checking his watch, he saw he had two hours to make it to Grieshiem. Plenty of time. Settling into his seat, he pulled out of the parking lot, and watched the truck carrying Knefler disappear around a corner. Gunter and Leon would get Knefler started on his underground journey. Operation Kismet was off and running.

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Meanwhile, up in Hogan's room

Hogan sat on the edge of the bed, thinking. As soon as he felt the coldness of the medicine go up his arm, he could swear he was looking down on the room and was no longer in his body. Shaking his head, he told himself that was not possible. But how else do I explain what happened? It was more real than our present reality. Everything was so much clearer, both thoughts and vision. Rubbing the back of his neck, he stood to pace. Looking around the room, he told himself, this was his reality, a world at war.

An empty feeling of loss came over him. He so wanted the peace and understanding of the other existence. It felt so real; but it couldn't be… or could it? Struggling with himself, he pushed those thoughts away. I hope that, somewhere, that reality exists, and that someday I will get back to it, but I can't dwell on that now. That Shangri-La of bliss has to be let go. But was it truly an out-of-body experience? It couldn't be. Those things don't really happen. Right? Yes, that's right. Stop thinking about it before you lose your mind for real.

Deep in thought, he didn't hear the door open and Von Tillermaan walk in. "You look disturbed. Is it from the testing or seeing Knefler tonight?"

Hogan quickly turned at the sound of Tillermaan's voice. Feeling exposed, he sighed and answered, "Both."

"Oberst Knefler is very observant. Was he right? Did you transcend beyond the known?"

Hogan wanted to shout yes. Something profound happened. But he could not allow himself to surrender to that. It would change everything, all his beliefs, all that he knew to be true. Don't allow yourself to be swallowed by your feelings. Align with the facts. You were drugged. They have been playing with your mind.

"The hallucinations were very real. They seemed more real than our current reality. And they were definitely more compelling." Hogan admitted. "But they were still hallucinations."

"I see you have given this considerable thought. Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Von Tillermaan replied.

"Am I that transparent?" Hogan turned to pace again. "This medicine is a mind bender. It takes time to sort it all out. By the way, what time is it?"

"It is eleven p.m." Tillermaan sat down on the edge of the bed. "You have a gift for being able to stay rational when everything around you is in chaos. Not many people can do that to your extent. I see why General Walters wants to keep you doing what you are doing. He would find it hard to replace you. But let me advise you that what you have experienced these past few days won't go away. They are a part of you now, and at some time, you will think back on them. Remember, the people in the Amazon have been using this drug for thousands of years and the records show that it can cause life changes."

Hogan looked thoughtfully at Von Tillermaan. "Yes… I can see how that could happen." The pain in his eyes showed for just a moment. "But right now is not the time. There is a war going on and I've… we've got things to do."

"All right. But when that time comes, don't try to do it alone."

Hogan, evasively, moved on. "You still haven't heard anything about Knefler?"

"No. But I was asked to extend the testing later into the night. I kept Knefler in my office going over your test data until just a few minutes ago. He left shortly before I came to see you."

"That gives a drowning man a little hope." Hogan admitted.

Von Tillermaan continued, "Arrangements have already been made to take you to Dulag Luft tomorrow after the last test."

Hogan exhaled, and added, "Very little hope."

Tillermaan crossed his arms and switched topics. "I'd like you to take something to help you sleep tonight. We don't know what to expect tomorrow and if Knefler returns, a good night's sleep will serve you better in the days ahead than your staying awake all night thinking,"

"My first inclination is to refuse. But you're right; I would be up all night."

Von Tillermaan walked to the bedside table and poured a glass of water. Handing it to Hogan, he pulled a small envelope from his pocket and placed two white pills in his hand. "I see you came prepared," Hogan observed.

"I knew you were a rational man." Von Tillermaan commented as he walked to the door. "I'll see you at nine in the morning. Good night, Colonel."

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Hospital corridor

Von Tillermaan entered the hall, his thoughts consuming him. Knefler confided that the High Command was getting restless with attempting to use medicine to induce brainwashing and asked if a lobotomy had been considered. That was why Knefler was desperate enough to try LSD. That revelation had changed his opinion of Oberst Knefler. He had stated he would not allow that to happen. As fast as science is moving, he said, there will be breakthroughs. They were just around the corner.

Maybe he really does have Colonel Hogan's best interest at heart… in his own way.

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Frankfurt Underground

Klaus pulled the staff car off the road just outside of Grieshiem. As he opened his door, the other two members of his team approached.

"We were getting worried, Klaus. Was there trouble?" Liam asked.

"No, everything went smooth. Knefler was just late coming out of the hospital."

"Good, now let's get busy wiring this car." Anton opened the bag he was carrying and got to work. "What time are the bombers coming over?"

"About one o'clock." Gunter looked at his watch. That's about seventy-five minutes from now. They will lie out a pattern on the approach and then head back to England. Gunter took off Knefler's cap and coat and handed them to Liam, who placed them in the staff car.

"That should do it." Anton announced, closing the car door. "It should look like it got caught in the bombing. Let's get out of here before we get caught in the bombing."

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