Summary: Wolfgang and Karl make a shocking proposition, and Hogan makes a proposition of his own.

Author's Note: See Part 1 

Disclaimer: See Part 1

Copyright: July 2002

****

Star-Crossed

By Syl Francis

**** Sunday 14 FEB 1943/2030hrs local

SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer Mueller's study

Schloss Hammelburg

This bloke deserves killing!

****

At the same time that Carter was stepping through the kitchen doors leading to the grand ballroom, Newkirk was crouching very still behind a large divan in Mueller's study. Perspiration trickled from his temple down his cheek. He dared not make a move to wipe it, lest the three men who had walked in unexpectedly should hear him.

Hogan had appeared on the balcony barely in time to warn him and Kinchloe before the doorknob leading to the study began to turn unexpectedly. While Hogan and Kinchloe quickly ducked back outside onto the balcony, Newkirk first had to return all of the documents he had removed from the safe, then close and lock it before diving for cover behind the nearest sofa.

While Newkirk did what he needed to in record time, it had seemed an eternity before he was safely hidden. Now, his nerves quieting, Newkirk listened with interest to the conversation between Mueller and the other two men, both Gestapo officers.

"But Wolfgang, Alyse is much too young. She has not even finished school," Mueller said.

"Other girls of good Aryan stock who are younger than she have been given up for marriage, Uncle Emil. For the glory of the Third Reich!"

"Yes, yes," Mueller said with ill-disguised revulsion. "I am well aware of our beloved Fuehrer's breeding program." 

"Uncle--!?" Wolfgang gasped.

"Perhaps the Gruppenfuhrer disapproves of our Fuehrer's plans for a future Germany populated by a blood-pure Aryan race." The third man spoke in quiet, silken tones. Newkirk shivered involuntarily at the unspoken threat behind them.

"Don't be ridiculous, Karl," Wolfgang retorted. "Uncle Emil is one of Germany's most highly decorated and trusted heroes--a personal confidant of the Fuehrer, himself!" He slapped Karl on the back. "I can understand how he feels. Believe me...I have known and loved Alyse as a sister all of my life. The thought of another man taking our place in her heart, well...it is hard to contemplate--at first."

He walked up to Mueller. "However, my uncle is a soldier of the Reich. He understands that we must all do our duty--even our beloved Alyse." He addressed Mueller directly. "Is that not so, Uncle?"

Newkirk could not believe what he was hearing. The Gestapo officer, Wolfgang supposedly loved the girl, Alyse, like a sister, yet he was proposing that she be married off to the other Gestapo officer--much like breeding stock on a farm. Unconsciously, he squeezed the handle of the Luger in his hand. This bloke deserves killing!

Mueller glared wordlessly, his jaw working to bite back whatever retort he had in mind. Visibly bringing himself under control, he smiled suddenly--little more than a snarl. "But of course, my dear nephew...but of course." He took out a bottle of Schnapps from a cabinet and poured a shot. He then tossed back the contents.

"Just think of what a marriage between Karl and Alyse would produce, Uncle!" Wolfgang said excitedly. "They are both of solid Aryan stock--blond, blue-eyed! They will have beautiful children! Children born for the glory of the Third Reich--beloved by the Fuehrer, himself!"

Newkirk thought he was going to gag. The bloody, no-good--! Words failed him, however. Nothing in his experience had prepared him for such a sickening concept.

"Herr Gruppenfuhrer," Karl was saying, "have I your permission to ask Alyse for her hand in marriage?"

Like bloody hell! Newkirk fought an urge to jump up from behind his hiding place and start shooting.

Mueller did not answer for a long moment. Walking around his desk, he sat down and made a show of shuffling a stack of papers. Finally, he looked up. "Very well, Leutnant Braun--"

No! You can't agree to do this!

"--you have my permission to ask my daughter for her hand--

Are you crazy? What kind of a father are you?!

"--but on one condition."

Condition? Did he say 'condition'? What condition?

"That she give her consent willingly. Otherwise, no marriage!" Mueller stood.

"Very well, Herr Gruppenfuhrer," Karl said easily. "I shall ask. However, should Alyse say no, then I promise you there will be no marriage."

"I have your word of honor on that?"

"As an officer of the Reich." Karl's eyes suddenly glittered in ugly amusement. "Of course, should she say no, then I shall merely take her."

"What--!!??" Mueller raged. "How dare you speak thus to me--in my own house! I could have you shot for that!"

"On the contrary, Herr Gruppenfuhrer," Karl replied with a languid wave of the hand. "I have already been personally selected by Reich-Marshal Himmler himself for the Fuehrer's 'breeding program' as you put it. And I have been given free rein to select my Aryan bride. Or, should I wish not to be tied to such medieval conventions--I have orders to pick and choose amongst our most beautiful girls for my personal harem."

Turning purple with apoplexy, Mueller stared speechlessly. He glared at Karl, looking as if he would take him apart with his bare hands. Unconcerned, Karl lit a cigarette and lazily blew out a long stream of smoke.

From his position behind the divan, Newkirk caught a glimpse of Mueller's dangerous expression and silently urged him on. Go on, Guv'nor...right in the kisser!

"So you see, Herr Gruppenfuhrer...should you stand in the way, it is not I who will be shot, but you." He paused for effect. "And I shall still have Alyse."

With an animal snarl, Mueller made a move towards him, but Wolfgang intervened. Struggling uselessly with his nephew, he demanded, "Did you know about this?" At his nephew's nod, Mueller's expression became ugly. "Get out! I want you both out of my house this instant! And don't think that you will get away with this. As you said, Nephew...I am a personal confidant of the Fuehrer, and I have many friends on the General Staff--"

"I wouldn't count on that, Uncle," Wolfgang said reluctantly. "You have been gone for a long time, and your unit has suffered many setbacks in the Eastern Front. I am afraid that there are few who will speak for you--if any. Please, Uncle, if you would only talk to Alyse...I know that she would listen to you. I would much rather that my beloved cousin gave her consent willingly than--"

"Enough! Get out! Get out or I will--!" The door opened and Alyse walked in.

"Father, what is all the shouting? I could hear you halfway down the hall." She looked curiously at the three men, becoming worried. "Father, what is it? Wolfgang?"

"Alyse, we are discussing important business," Mueller said carefully. "You know that you are not permitted to listen in on military matters. Now please, return to our guests--!"

"Wait!" Karl stepped forward. "Alyse stays. Since this concerns her." He took her hand in his. "And me."

Alyse gave a small gasp of fear and snatched her hand from his with a look of utter revulsion. "What do you mean?" she demanded. "Father--?" Mueller walked around his desk and took her protectively in his arms.

"Wolfgang, Karl...if you will excuse us? I must speak with my daughter in private." Before Karl could protest, he added, "We will discuss this matter tomorrow." When the two junior officers did not jump readily, he added sharply, "I said, 'Dismissed'!"

Both men bowed stiffly and clicked their heels simultaneously, then turned as one and walked out of the study. Sadly, Mueller turned to his daughter and held her for long moment. Finally, he began to break the grim news about her future.

****

Sunday 14 FEB 1943/2130hrs local

SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer Mueller's study

Schloss Hammelburg

Hey, war is hell!

****

After nearly an hour of tearful arguing between father and daughter, Alyse ran out of the study, followed by a much more subdued Mueller. Newkirk waited a few seconds, then stood and hurried to door. He quickly checked the hallway to make sure that it was clear before he locked it and signaled Hogan and Kinchloe.

"Man, oh man," Kinchloe muttered, "I never thought that I would ever feel sorry for an SS general."

"You'n me both, chum," Newkirk agreed.

"Don't waste your sympathy on that monster," Hogan growled. "I'm only sorry I won't be present at his war crime's trial when this lousy war's finally over." His mouth twisted into a savage grin of satisfaction. "Still, you gotta admit that this is a kind of poetic justice." The other two gave him stunned looks. Unrelenting, he glared them down. "Mueller is one of those fat cats whose star suddenly rose when Hitler first came to power. He's been riding the Fuehrer's coattails ever since. Now, it's time to pay the piper."

"You're right, of course, Colonel," Newkirk said quietly. "But the girl...I can't believe that he's even considering marrying his own daughter to that--that person!"

"Well what did you expect? That he'd suddenly start acting like a human being? Look around this place!" Hogan demanded, suddenly feeling angry at having to justify himself to his men, but more angry at himself for feeling this way. He waved his arms around, a gesture that took in the entire castle.

"D'you think Mueller inherited this shack from dear old Dad? Much less paid for it?" Hogan glared at Newkirk. "The family that owned this castle for almost seven generations didn't believe in der Fuehrer's race policies. They were shot for treason--the whole family! Father, mother, children--including a two-year-old."

"How do you know?" Kinchloe asked.

"Local underground contact briefed me when he informed me about the party and the Top Secret plans," Hogan said. "Three guesses as to who the arresting officer was that hauled off the previous occupants." He gave them an ironic smirk.

"Mueller." Newkirk answered with a look of distaste. He picked up a framed photo of Alyse that was sitting on Mueller's desk and studied it for a long time before finally returning it to its place of honor. He then faced Hogan.  "Sir, it isn't the girl's fault her father's a high-ranking Nazi."

"Maybe not...but she's his daughter, isn't she? Do you think she's suffered any hardships these past few years? Better yet...how much of Daddy's activities do you think she might be privy to?"

"Sir...?" Kinchloe said softly. "She's just a kid. What could she know?"

"Plenty!" Hogan insisted. "Or, else she's got blinders on."

"Or maybe she's what she appears to be, sir," Kinchloe argued. "Just an innocent schoolgirl."

"Kinch is right, Colonel. Even Mueller said that she's still not out of school." Hogan nodded a bit guiltily.

"Okay, okay...you have a point. I met her earlier..." Hogan paused, then added reluctantly, "Seemed like a nice kid, but--?" He shrugged and shook his head. The three men stood in silence for a minute each lost in thought. Finally, Hogan pointed at his watch. "Okay, fellas...back to work. Get those plans photographed but fast. Then Newkirk, make sure that you're seen by Klink downstairs. We don't want him to think that you've been up to something naughty. And Kinch--back to base as soon as you're finished here. Got it?"

"Yes, sir," both men said together.

"Good. And speaking of being seen..." Hogan said with a grimace of distaste. "I know just the lady with whom to get caught in a compromising position." At his men's raised eyebrows, he shrugged, "Hey, war is hell!"

****

Sunday 14 FEB 1943/2200hrs local Kitchens

Schloss Hammelburg

I wonder if Fred ever falls on his face?

****

"That's the last of it, Louis," Carter sighed tiredly. He gave the giant pot a final swipe and hung it up on its peg over the large kitchen sink.

"Good!" LeBeau said, nodding with approval. "Now I need you to--"

"Hey, just a doggone minute!" Carter protested. "Even the camp guards give us breaks from time to time."

"Oh, very well," LeBeau agreed. "Ten minutes, no more!"

"Gee, thanks, buddy!" Carter said gratefully and stepped outside for a smoke. He paused for moment to adjust his collar against the February chill, and started walking slowly across the immaculate gardens. It was a clear moonlit night, the sky sprinkled with thousands of stars.

The sound of men's voices approaching from the opposite end of the garden warned him--the outside roving patrol! Quickly, he ducked into a small cul-de-sac where the castle's rubbish bins were stored. The sharp ~click-clack~ of heavy boots echoed in the stillness, punctuated by occasional laughter and soft murmurs.

"...It was not so funny to me!" a male voice protested.

"That is because you have no sense of humor!" another replied.

Soon Carter caught sight of two silhouettes in the moonlight. The distinct shape of steel helmets glinted momentarily as the guards walked their route in a slow, steady pace. A brief red flare indicated that one of the men had just taken a puff from his cigarette.

"Well, next time you need a date for your fraulein's roommate," the first voice responded, "you can just forget about asking me--!" The other's amused laughter interrupted whatever else he was about to say. Meanwhile, Carter waited tensely, holding his breath. He finally let it out again when the two guards disappeared around the corner.

Taking a deep, shaky breath to steady his nerves, Carter carefully stepped out into the open once again, keeping an alert ear for any other unexpected noises. He stopped at a garden bench and sat down. After a moment, he lay back and just gazed at the stars.

He tried to recall some of the constellations that his uncle, a full-blooded Sioux--had taught him when he had visited the reservation. Soon, Carter spotted the Big Dipper, the North Star, and Orion's Belt. He thought he recognized Gemini, but could not be entirely sure and eventually gave up.

"Boy...some Sioux Indian," he muttered in self-disgust. Sitting up, his thoughts turned to Alyse, and before long, he was whistling. Suddenly filled with energy, he stood and began doing what he considered an imitation of Fred Astaire. Feeling giddy, he attempted to jump over a garden bench just like he had seen Fred and Ginger do once, and failed to clear it, falling headlong into the trimmed hedge.

He lay face down for a moment, catching his breath, and mentally kicked himself. I wonder if Fred ever falls on his face? Looking around to make sure that no one had seen him, Carter stood and carefully extricated himself from the thick branches. Once free, he shivered and realized that his clothes were damp from the evening dew.

Sighing at his clumsiness, he was about to return to the warmth of the kitchens, when he heard a brokenhearted sob coming from directly overhead. Looking up, he saw a large balcony running the length of the second story. Climbing the garden bench, he stood on tiptoe and fruitlessly searched for the source of the soft whimper. At first he could not see anyone; however, after a few seconds, he finally made out a small form huddled against the farthest corner.

There was just enough illumination from the half moon for Carter to recognize Alyse's blonde head. Feeling his heart stop, Carter looked around for a quick means to go to her. Spotting a trellis along the outer wall from ground level to the second floor, he ran to it and promptly started climbing.

****

Sunday 14 FEB 1943/2200hrs local SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer Mueller's study

Schloss Hammelburg

A real hero. Almost the stuff of legends...

****

Hogan meanwhile was in a position he never thought that he would be in--fending off the amorous attentions of a most determined woman. When he had been about to leave the study, he first opened the door just a crack in order to check the hallway. That was when he saw her--Anna--at the far side of the hallway, checking all of the doors located on the floor. Most peculiar, he thought. She's either a thief or a Gestapo agent.

"Looks like the lady just can't stay away from me, fellas," Hogan muttered, waving them to silence.

"What d'you mean, Guv'nor?" Newkirk asked softly.

"It means that I'm about to sacrifice myself for the good of the mission," he said pointing out the lovely enemy agent who was busy checking all of the rooms located along the corridor. "I'll go out there and distract her, while you two stay here and finish copying those plans."

"It does my heart good to see an officer who would never ask one of his men to do something that he himself wouldn't do," Newkirk said solemnly.

"Yeah...a real hero. Almost the stuff of legends," Kinchloe agreed straight-faced.

"Almost--?" Hogan asked, looking faintly insulted. The next instant, he flashed them a devilish grin. "It's a dirty job..." And seeing that Anna's back was to him, quickly slipped out into the hallway without finishing. He saw her step into the ladies' room, and timing his actions just right, Hogan 'accidentally' bumped into her as she walked out again.

"Col. Hogan, what a surprise!" she said, not looking or sounding surprised in the least. "I was hoping to see you again tonight." As she spoke, her hands traveled slowly up his chest, stopping midway, fingering his wings and numerous decorations. "So many ribbons, Herr Colonel...You must be a real American hero." She pointed at one--the Victoria Cross, which Hogan had received while serving with the RAF--and asked wide-eyed, "What do call this one?"

"Borrowed," Hogan quipped. Anna's eyes flashed in annoyance, but then she gave a small, throaty laugh, and her hands continued their interrupted journey up the front of his jacket until they came to rest around his neck. "You are most amusing, Colonel. Tell me...what are you doing up here? This floor is off limits to guests."

"You're up here," he pointed out.

"Yes, but I am with the security detail--" She stopped, realizing she had said too much. Smiling seductively, Hogan intimately ran his hands down her arms, then down the length of her torso, past her waist, until finally coming to rest on her hips.

"Like I said...you're up here," he said, his lips close to her ear. "I sort of followed you." She gasped as he ran one finger with seductive slowness down her exposed back. He felt her tremble as he leaned down and kissed her softly on the on the nape of her neck. "I wanted to see you again before I went back to my lonely existence."

As he spoke, he traveled up the side of her face, kissing each spot until at last he reached her lips. Anna willingly returned his kiss, and to Hogan's chagrin, began to take the initiative.

"Let us not lie to each other, Col. Hogan--" She said between kisses, her breath hot on his cheek. "--We both know that you are up to something."

"Lady--" Hogan managed, "--if what I'm up to isn't obvious by now--" He kissed her on the hollow of her neck causing her to shiver once again. "--Then I must be losing my touch."

"I am supposed to keep an eye on you," she said softly, closing her eyes against the sensations he was stirring in her. "--Interrogate you about sabotage in the area..."

"I must say...I like your methods..." He then touched her in such a way that almost sent her over the edge. Abruptly, she broke off from him, and without uttering a word, grabbed his hand and began leading him down the corridor.

"Um, uh, hey...where are we--?" he asked.

"To my guest quarters! Where we can continue this 'interrogation' further." At his sudden look of worry, she added, "Never fear, Colonel...You shall be perfectly safe with me." Hogan pulled back suddenly, halting their progress. He pointed at his watch.

"Gosh! Will you look at the time! My dear, lovely Anna, I must be heading back downstairs. The Kommandant will be looking for me. The man is like a hawk--when you least expect it, he swoops down out of nowhere!" Hogan shook his head regretfully. "For the sake of my men, I must return. Otherwise...the punishments he will mete out to the entire camp--! Golly, it's too terrible to contemplate! I tell you, the man's a monster!"

"But he seems--as you said--like such a simpering fool." Anna shook her head in amazement. "I just find it so hard to believe." Hogan nodded.

"Oh, that's what he wants you think," Hogan said. Cupping her face gently, he said disappointedly, "I'm sorry, Anna. Another time, another war perhaps--? Things might have turned out differently." Taking her into his arms once more, Hogan again kissed her, this time with all the fervor he could muster.

Within a few moments, he realized in the back of his mind that she was again starting to take control of the situation and told himself that he needed to break away, that it was time to return to his men. However, when she once again began to lead him down the hall, somehow Hogan could not find it in himself to resist her. When she opened her door, he was about to follow her in, when as luck would have it, Klink, followed by Schultz happened to reach the second story landing.

"Col. Hogan!" Klink gasped. "This is most disgraceful!" He gaped at Hogan who looked up blearily, his face smudged with red lipstick. Smiling goofily, Hogan waved at Klink.

"Kommandant..." he slurred. By all appearances, his uniform disheveled and stumbling slightly, he looked completely drunk. "Sure took you long enough to get here!"

"Col. Hogan...! You are drunk!" Klink looked scandalized, and Schultz clucked his tongue in fatherly disapproval.

"Can't put nuthin' over on the ol' Bald Eagle, eh?" Hogan said, stumbling towards Klink and practically falling in his arms. Klink rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Iron Eagle!" he corrected automatically, pushing Hogan into Schultz's arms. "And what do you mean by--?"

"Geshtapo tryin' to get dirt on you through the pri-shoners--"

"What?" Anna gasped. "That is not true!"

"Gestapo?" Klink whispered. "What do mean, Col. Hogan?" His eyes turned to Anna. "You are Gestapo?"

"Yes!" she admitted. "But we have no interest in you--!"

"But I could shee right through her, Kommandant!" Winking knowingly, Hogan waggled his finger at Klink. "Yep, kept tryin' to make me shay you were incom--incomp--that you were an idiot!" Taking a step forward, he almost fell face down, but Schultz caught him in time and struggled to keep him on his feet.

"I protest, Fraulein!" Klink said. "I assure you that my loyalty is beyond question! And as for my being an 'idiot'--there has never been a successful escape from Stalag 13--a record that no other camp kommandant can claim!"

Anna threw her hands up in exasperation. Glaring at Hogan, she spun around and pulled her door open. "The only idiot here, Kommandant, is myself!" With that she flounced in and slammed the door behind her.

"I'll call you!" Hogan yelled after her. Giving Klink a completely disingenuous look, he smiled a bit smugly when the irate Kommandant ineffectually waved a closed fist under his nose.

****

Continued in Part 3