Ch. 3

"How did it go?" Hogan asked as Kent came up the ladder and into the barracks.

"A patrol ran into us but we tricked them, here's the information." Kent smiled. Handing the papers to Hogan she then went to bed. Hogan turned to Kinch

"Get this to London." Kinch nodded and got to work. There was a knock on the door and Schultz came in, one hand behind his back.

"Colonel Hogan can you get gnäädige Frau Kent please." Schultz said.

"I'm right here." Kent said coming into the main room.

"Ah I have a gift for you." Schultz puled his hand from behind his back to revile a brown teddy bear. "When my Kinders have nightmares, I always tell them that this Bear will scare away the Night monster. And protect them." Schultz said. Kent took the bear, giving Schultz a small kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you Schultz. Don't worry, I didn't see anything." she then went back to bed.

"Uh, Colonel Hogan why did she say that?" Schultz asked

"Well tenckly you are aiding the enemy. . ." Hogan was cut off by Schultz,

"I see nothing, Nothing." Schultz shuffled out the door.

(Another couple of week have past)

***

Kent sat on a bench inside of barracks two, stitching two pieces of material . Listing to Lebeau mutter in French as he cooked, and Newkirk playing with his cards. Schultz shuffled in with mail in his hands. He was attacked on all sides by soldiers. Schultz held the letters close as called for help. Hogan came to the rescue,

"All right guys let Schultz pass out the letters." Hogan said the others steped back.

"Oh thank you Colonel Hogan, here is your letters." he then turned to Kent, "gnäädige Frau, here is you letters." Kent took her two letters and sat back down. She looked at the date, they where sent a week apart. Nearly a month ago, opening the first one she started to read.



Dear Sis,

This is Trav, I'm sure you thought you'd get a letter from dad. Dad has been sent to basic training. That's not the only bad news, our brother, Jeff, was shot down over Japan. He didn't survive. One of his buddies stopped by on his way home and told us how it happen.

But on a happier note, mom is pregnant aging. She keeps saying it' s a girl. We were all glad to here you're ok. We were very surprised that you had been shot down in Germany. Well that's all I have to report right now.

Love,

Travis

P.S. Max is taking care of the animals and field I'm taking care of everything else , no worries. Also Mrs. Hill sends her love.

Kent put the letter down. Carter sat down next to her.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"My brother, Jeff, was shot down, he was killed." Kent said wiping away her tears.

"I'm sorry." Carter gave Kent a quick hug. Kent opened up the other letter, started to read. She turned white, and ran out the door. Dropping the letter in the proses.

"What was that all about?" Hogan asked picking up the dropped letter. Carter told the others about Kent's brother.

"What dose that letter say?" Newkirk asked. Hogan opened it up and started reading it out loud.

"Dear sis. I have good news and bad news. I'll tell you the bad news first, Kevin and Tom are missing in action... Carter who's Kevin and Tom?" Every looked at Carter.

"Uh Kevin is her twin and Tom is her fiancé." Carter answered. Hogan skimmed over the rest of the letter.

"Do you know where she might have gone?" Hogan asked, Carter though for a minute.

"She mentioned once that Klink's porch would be a good hiding place."

"I'm going to go talk to her." Hogan made his way over to the porch and looked under it. He saw Kent curled up in a little ball, her back to him.

"Amber."

"Go away Carter."

"It's Hogan."

"Excuse me, go away pleas, sir."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hogan asked, Kent rolled over and looked at him.

"Do I have a choice? First Jeff then them two. I know there not dead, but what if. . ."

"It seem's odd that they both went missing at about the same time."

"Kevin is the pilot, and Tom is the navigation person on the bomber, Stalking Cat." Kent smiled slightly. Hogan raised an eyebrow, "Stalking Cat?" Kent nodded.

"Hogan what are you doing?" Klink asked coming out on the porch.

"Cleaning." Hogan winked at Kent.

"Hogan you do not need to clean under my porch."

"Yes I do, you have a cat problem."

"I do not have a cat problem." Klink said, about that time Kent crawled out from under the porch.

"Sargent why are you under there?" Klink asked.

"Why do cats do what they do." she answered cryptically, then she whispered to Hogan "can you get me a flower. Blue if possible. I need to say my goodby." Hogan nodded slightly. Then Hogan saluted Klink,

"Cat problem fixed." Hogan then left followed by Kent.

"Sometimes. . .Hogan" Klink walked back into his office.



Amber Kent held a blue flower in her hand as she stood in front of the fire. Everyone waited silently waiting for Amber to say her goodby. She looked at the flower then said,

"Jeff, your body no longer remains with us. We could not even give you a proper burial. Like this flower that I hold, we are born, we grow, we bear young, then we died. It is the way of life. I hold no anger at the person who shot you down. They like all of us here, where just following orders. Please keep watch over our brothers, mom and dad and Tom, bring them all home safely. I love you always." Amber then tossed the flower in the fire and started to sing,







We shall meet, but we shall miss him
There will be one vacant chair
We shall linger to caress him
While we breathe our evening prayer;
When a year ago we gathered
Joy was in his mild blue eye,
But a golden chord is severed
And our hopes in ruin lie.


We shall meet, but we shall miss him
There will be one vacant chair
We shall linger to caress him
While we breathe our evening prayer.

At our fireside, sad and lonely,
Often will the bosom swell,
At remembrance of the story
How our noble Willie sell;
How he strove to bear our banner
Through the thickest of the fight,
And uphold our country's honor
In the strength of manhood's night.

We shall meet, but we shall miss him
There will be one vacant chair
We shall linger to caress him
While we breathe our evening prayer.


True, they tell us wreaths of glory
Ever more will deck his brow,
But this soothes the anguish only
Sweeping o'er our heartstrings now.
Sleep today, Oh early fallen,
In thy green and narrow bed,
Dirges from the pine and cypress,
Mingle with the tears we shed.

We shall meet, but we shall miss him
There will be one vacant chair
We shall linger to caress him
While we breathe our evening prayer.



***



"Kent, I'd like to send you out with Carter." Hogan looked at Kent, she nodded.

"Carter leave your regular close on, but get your fake I.D.s."

"Expecting trouble sir?" Kinch asked.

"No but. . ." Hogan turned to Kent. "Put on your young lady outfit." Kent nodded.

After they got ready Carter and Kent headed out. When they where almost to the meeting spot they herd the wine of planes.

"Uh come on I saw a ravine a little ways back we can probably make it." Kent said, leading the way back. They heard the anti-aircraft guns firing and the bombs going off. When it was over they head back to the meeting spot.

"I hope everyone made it home safely." Carter said quietly.

"Yeah me to, I don't think are contact stayed around lets head home ourselves."

"Good idea." they started home, with Kent in the lead. When out of now where a patrol of Luftwaffe surprise them.

"Halt." the Head Luftwaffe said. Kent hesitated for a second before saying, in German.

"Oh thank you for rescuing me. I was out looking for my cow. She got scared away when those retched allies started bombing. Then this Allied scum grabbed me. . ." Kent started to cry. Carter under stood what Kent was doing. She was trying to get away so that she could get back to Hogan. So he played along, by pretending he had just been shot down. The Head Luftwaffe said, " it's ok. We need to take you to the Luffstalag to ask you some questions then we let you go." Kent nodded. And prayed that they wouldn't go to stalag 13. Carter and Kent where loaded onto a truck. And taken to Luffstalag 7. They where ushered into the Kommandant's office. Kent was question, about what happened. Then was escorted back to where they found her. They offered to take her farther but she refused. When she finally made her way back to camp she was surprised to see Hogan pacing in the tunnels. When he saw her he rushed up to her.

"What happen, where's Carter?" Hogan asked. Kent sat down and leaned against the wall. Shaking she asked, "Are we covered?"

"Hun?"

"Roll call." she clarified.

"Yes, we told Schultz, Carter is sick and you're taking care of him. Now what happened?"

"We ran into a patrol after the air raid. I spun some story about him taking me. They just assumed he had just been shot down. After some questions they let me go. I would have got him out but I couldn't think of any thing. I thought it was best if came back and told you what happed."

"You did the right thing. Now we have to get him out."

"What about the Gestapo?" Kent said.

"I'm hoping to get him out before they decide to get involved."

"No, I mean what if one of us dress up as Gestapo and just took him."

"We'd have to have some reason. . ."

"No just have a letter, saying something like 'need prisoners for a special project.' then leave with them think he is doomed to died. And that it's top secret." Hogan though about this then said, " The best Gestapo person for something like that is Carter."

"I could do it. Everyone been teaching me things. You never know where a girl might go that a guy can't." Kent smiled and waved as Newkirk and Lebeau came into the section of tunnel.

"Prove it." Hogan said. Kent stood up and leisurely made her way over to Lebeau. When she stood in front of him she pretended to take off a pair of gloves. When she finished she looked at Lebeau and said. "WHAT IS THIS MAN DOING HERE!?!" Lebeau jumped back. "Now tell me where is the new prisoner." Kent said smiling evilly. Lebeau gulped and said "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know, I need him for a project." Lebeau looked at Hogan for help. Hogan crossed his arms and smiled.

"What project is that?" Lebeau asked.

"You dare ask the Gestapo a question? Perhaps I should take you instead."

"Uh no ma'am, er sir?"

"You are a fool. Heil Hitler." With that Kent marched back to Hogan.

"So?" she smile innocently.

"Alright we'll do it."



***

Kent sat in the back of the car, wearing a Gestapo Major outfit. Hogan was her aide. He was driving. Newkirk and Lebeau where following in a truck to take the "prisoner".

When they came to the gate of Luffstalag 7. Hogan flashed the papers for them and the truck. They pulled up to the main office. Hogan opened the door for Kent. The Kommandant of the camp come out to meet them.

"Heil Hitler." Kent saluted.

"Heil Hitler." the Kommandant returned, "what brings you to this camp?" Kent nodded to Hogan. Hogan handed the Kommandant the orders.

"I'll be more than happy to help, I call for roll call and you can. . ."

"No. I will go into the barracks and chose that a way."

"But. . ."

"YOU DARE QUESTION THE GESTAPO?"

"No ma'am. I thought. . ."

"Don't think. Just do as I say." Kent turned to start checking the different barracks when the senior POW came up.

"Now what a minute, your not allowed to. . ." he was cut off when Kent punched him in the gut. Smiling she backed hand him.

"I'm Gestapo I can do as I please." with that she punched him in the temple, knocking him unconscious. She then turned to the Kommandant.

"Lead on." they toured three barracks before finding Carter. Walking up to him she asked.

"What is your name?" Carter looked at her but kept silent. She turned to Newkirk and Lebeau, "I want this one." she then looked at The Kommandant. "You will give me his papers."

The Kommandant nodded. After Carter had been loaded on to the truck. The Kommandant hand Hogan, Carter's papers. Kent turned to the Kommandant and gave a smile that would have frighten Hochstertter. "If this get's out you'll be my next prisoner." with that Kent got into the car.

When they where serval miles away from Stalag 7, Hogan asked, "Why did you hit an allied prisoner?"

"Sorry sir, but when I saw him, months of frustration and being scared of having a bomb dropped on me sorta took over. That was Commander of the air force base back in the states. Colonel Marten." Kent smiled a little.

"I see. Still that gave. . .never mind."



Lebeau got into the back of the truck.

"Carter, you had the Colonel worried." Lebeau said shaking a finger at Carter. Carter looked at him but didn't move.

"'ey mate you didn't say any thing did you?" Newkirk asked. Carter shook his head.

"Are you alright?" Lebeau asked.

"Yeah, but they worked me over pretty well. It hurts everywhere. Mostly to talk." Carter said. Lebeau notice then the blood on Carter's uniform. And promptly passed out. Carter rolled his eyes but didn't move.



When they where a couple of miles from stalag 13, they puled over. Newkirk climbed into the back.

" Lebeau, me mate what's wrong?" Newkirk said shaking Lebeau. Turning to Carter he asked, "what 'appen?"

"Blood." Carter said quietly. Hogan climbed into the truck wondering what was taking so long. Kent was keeping an eye out for trouble.

"What's going on?" Hogan asked.

"Lebeau saw blood on Carter's uniform and passed out." Newkirk answered.

"Can you make it to camp?" Hogan asked. Carter pulled himself up and nodded. Hogan helped him to the camp. Newkirk got Lebeau, Kent help Newkirk as soon as they where far enough away from the road.

"Lebeau, mate, you weigh too much." Newkirk muttered.

"Maybe he's been tasting his food too much?" Kent said.

"'e'll wind up like Shultzie if 'e kept that up."

"We should put him on a diet."

"Quite you two." Hogan said.



Hogan looked at his men, and woman. He was proud of them. Carter had kept quite and earned himself a bruised rib, a headache, and serval cuts and bruises. Hogan knew he had the best team anyone could assembled. And with Kent, as a wild card, the Gestapo would have a harder time finding them. Everyone became silent and stared at Hogan.

"What?" Hogan asked.

"Your glowing like my mom whenever she's pregnant." Kent said.

"The Colonel's pregnant?" Carter said, disbelief in his voice.

"Carter, what she means is 'e is glowing with motherly pride." Newkirk said.

"Only I think it's fatherly pride." Lebeau said.

"Yeah cause his kids played well with others." Kent said.

"You know best Grandma Emma." Hogan said. The others started teasing Kent.



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Ok I messed up on my dates. Just wanted to tell you. Now for the fact: in 1941, 24 or 25 women pilots signed on for 18 month to fly for British Air Transport Auxiliary. British women were already flying for British Air Transport Auxiliary. Also the first female to die was killed when a male pilot clipped her wing.

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